We Call to Minimise the Impact of Brexit on Research!
Brexit has been a long and treacherous process with contradicting news being released almost every day. Major universities and prominent scholars have voiced their fear of a no-deal Brexit, highlighting the essential ties between the European Union and the UK.
As international researchers working in the UK, we join these voices in emphasizing the importance of unrestricted academic mobility and cooperation. For doing so, we release today a public statement on behalf of the Marie Curie Alumni Association: https://zenodo.org/record/2559577
Beyond the statement, we asked some of our core members and partners to express their opinions on Brexit and for showing how this process has influenced the everyday life of scholars who have enjoyed the possibilities brought about by the H2020 programme:
“The mobility of researchers is a key feature of MSCA program. The UK benefits greatly from both the influx of talent from other countries and the ability of UK nationals to gain experience at some of the best academic institutions and most successful companies in the world.”- says Mark Bason, who was an intra-European fellow at Aarhus University between 2013–2015.
An early career researcher who is currently completing their PhD studies in the UK as part of an MSCA ITN adds: “I’ve found the UK such a stimulating environment to carry out my research, especially due to its internationality. In addition, my host institution has revealed to be an excellent workplace, that is offering support and constant update about Brexit progressions. My main concern about Brexit is not being able to travel easily to European countries, which can affect collaborations and networking with other partners.”
Stefan Bauer, the chair of MCAA’s UK Chapter and former Marie Curie Fellow, University of York (2015–2017), remarks: “Both Marie Curie Fellows and their host institutions in the UK have greatly benefited from European Commission funding. It is our hope that generosity and goodwill will prevail and that scholars will be given the possibility to carry out EU-funded projects in the UK in the future.”
Brian Cahill, the former MCAA chair and Project Manager of the TRAIN@Ed MSCA COFUND Postdoctoral Fellowship Programme at the University of Edinburgh, adds: “Although the British Government has guaranteed all H2020 funding in the case of a No Deal Brexit, the details of how this will be implemented are not yet clear.
”It would be least disruptive for MSCA hosts and researchers to continue to observe the reporting and auditing procedures of the Research Executive Agency rather than wait for the British government implement its own as yet unspecified procedures. If the UK can avoid a No Deal Brexit, it would ensure the frictionless continuation of ongoing projects.
”The inclusion of the UK in Horizon Europe as an Associated Country may also be affected by No Deal. Signing a Withdrawal Agreement puts this participation on the agenda of a structured negotiation. Under a No Deal scenario, the UK is much more likely to become a third country: UK citizens will continue to be able to become MSCA fellows but UK institutions will not be able to be beneficiaries of MSCA funding.”
And finally, in the words of Michael Browne, Head of European research and innovation at University College London: “Horizon 2020 is the world’s largest research and innovation programme underpinned by openness and international collaboration. The MSCA programme is not only a recognised unique feature of European research and innovation — promoting and enabling international and intersectoral collaboration — but it also provides the next generation of excellent researchers to develop impactful skills, enhance their international and inter-sectoral networks and drive excellent projects. The UK has always performed well under this scheme — mainly because it’s an attractive highly connected location with excellent organisations. Having said that, it’s critical — now more so than ever before — that the UK continues to engage in and contribute towards these schemes. Despite the challenges that we ALL face with Brexit, the UK research and innovation is still very much open for business.”
Our hope, as representatives of the Marie Curie Alumni Association community of researchers, is that the UK government will hear our voices and strive towards reaching a deal that will not impact negatively science and the broader research community.
MCAA — UK Chapter
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