February 26, 2016

UK science and the EU Referendum

The Referendum on whether Britain should remain a member of the EU is undoubtedly the biggest political issue and news story of 2016. It is likely to be announced that the Referendum will be held around June of this year, and many interested parties and groups are already fighting to make sure their voices are heard.

Where does the scientific community stand on the EU? The UK has a very strong science base, and part of that strength has come through close ties to other EU member states and their scientists and resources. The impact of leaving the UK could have profound effects on science in the UK, especially funding, movement of researchers, collaboration on projects, access to data, and regulation.

Journalists came to the SMC to hear experts from across the scientific community discuss the EU Referendum and how science would fare if the UK did leave the EU.

Speakers:

Prof. Sir Robert Lechler, President of The Academy of Medical Sciences

Prof. Sir Paul Nurse, Director of The Francis Crick Institute, and former President of the Royal Society

Prof. Alan Thorpe, former Head of NERC, recently retired Director-General of the European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts

Dr Sarah Main, Director of Campaign for Science and Engineering (CaSE)

Stephen Bates, CEO of UK Bioindustry Association (BIA)