European cities become refuge for American scientists and talents

At the same time, as a sign of solidarity, European cities have begun attempts to attract the best talents that have so far been heading for prestigious and better-funded institutions beyond the Atlantic.

French President Emmanuel Macron and European Commission President Ursula von der Layen have been invited in recent weeks. But the specific work is done by higher education institutions and city authorities.

In an attempt to do the same for Barcelona Catalan President Salvador Ilya has presented a project to hire 30 million euros, which will finance 78 positions for US scientists in institutions such as the Barcelona Supercomputer Center and the National Human Genome Analysis Center, Politico says.

Academic solidarity

Universities in the EU are opening doors for American scientists affected by the termination and forced Trump measures aimed at climate researchers, vaccines, minorities and social sex issues.

The story is repeated (like a farce)

90 years ago, the rise of totalitarianism in Europe forced many of the most striking minds of the continent to escape from the Nazi, and then from the Soviet, camp in the United States, to transform the cities in which they found refuge.

New York has become an « epicenter » of sociological research and critical theoryafter the University of Colombian University accepted the Institute of Social Research (Frankfurt School), which was in exile.

The quiet university town of Princeton became the world capital of physics and theoretical research after the arrival of Albert Einstein and Kurt Gödel. Pasadena grew into an international center of aerospace engineering after providing asylum to Aeronautics Researcher Theodor von Karman.

AMU President Eric Brton said newcomers would help EU universities « develop new research and strengthen their activities. » « More importantly, their presence will be a » response from Europe to knowledge to the obscurantism, which is gaining power in the United States, « Burton said.

Reuters

Zaharieva: Europe remains a safe place for science

Zaharieva pointed out that the Union is in the unique position to serve as a refuge for the best scientists. She also identified initiatives for researchers under the influence of Trump’s measures.

ERC President Maria Leptin told Politico that the organization wants to preserve the « European tradition of openness and support for independent, led by the scientists themselves, without relevant the nationality or location of candidates for funding. »

Leptin stressed that ERC is not trying purposefully to « steal » talents from the US, « but wants to help its colleagues if he can. »

Brussels works on a strategy to attract talents

Zaharieva referred to a letter from 13 Member States who summon Brussels to make a strategy for attracting American researchersS According to her, the EC is working on the creation of a special visa for highly qualified talents, as well as a system to help governments and universities in the EU to join resources to attract American scientists. A meeting will also be organized to coordinate these actions with EU Member States.

Spain already uses the Atrae scheme, which was created to bring back prominent Spanish scientists who have emigrated for economic reasons. Today, the scheme will be applied to American scientists.

Similarly, Belgium creates the Brussels minds program, which funds researchers dealing with artificial intelligence, in vitro fertilization and other areas related to the Brussels region. This year, the program will aim to attract US scientists.