Academy leaders appeal for government support as US cuts will cause “severe” impact on the scientific community
Science in South Africa is “facing an extreme crisis moment” due to actions taken by the US federal government, warns the leaders of the country's academy of science.
In a statement on April 30, the Council of South Africa's Academy of Sciences said that the immediate effects of the policy initiative instigated by US President Donald Trump include “stricken cuts in funding, personnel and training” and impacts major institutions supporting and enabling scientific research, development and innovation in South Africa.”
While most of the effects may seem to lie in biomedical sciences, discipline is not safe, says the council. It calls on the South African government to defend scientists and increase funding to mitigate the negative effects of US cuts.
It also urges the government to the academy and its members on how to develop a productive and sustainable response to the crisis.
Devastating impact
The Academy Council says US funding cuts have had four devastating effects on the South African research community.
First, the reduction has undermined years of research cooperation between South Africa and the United States, resulting in breakthroughs that include the discovery of Omicron's COVID-19 variant.
Second, the situation puts the R&D infrastructure that underpins such partnerships at risk. This is a reduction that threatens to “resolve” mutual arrangements that have been built over decades.
Third, the exchange of scholars and scientists between South Africa and the US is at risk, and the Council, both from funding cuts and stricter US visa controls that have already affected travelers.
Finally, I say that cuts threaten values such as academic freedom, fairness, trust, and integrity. “My role as an academy, and (the role of government), is to take a public stand with my colleagues in the US,” the statement said.
