The historic vote by the people of Britain to exit the European Union is likely to have a significant impact on science in the UK and is expected to trigger a series of adverse consequences.
The expectation among many British scientists, I’ve been talking with in the last couple of weeks, is that economic conditions will get tougher, several European institutions will relocate to other EU countries, and U.K. scientists’ ability to collaborate with their EU colleagues will get harder.
The main concern however, is focused on three key issues: EU funding of science, the ability of people from the EU to work in the U.K., and the international scientific collaboration.
In negotiating a new relationship with the EU, both parts must ensure that no unnecessary barriers are placed that will inhibit collaborations.