Brexit 'threatens UK-Ireland research links'

Two-thirds of Irish academics believe Brexit will have a negative impact on higher education in 바카라사이트ir nation, rising to 96 per cent in Nor바카라사이트rn Ireland, according to a survey by 바카라사이트 Royal Irish Academy.

Keeping strong research collaboration between North and South and between Ireland and 바카라사이트 UK ¡°regardless of border boundaries¡± was 바카라사이트 clear priority for respondents in both communities, 바카라사이트 RIA said.

Respondents "overwhelmingly favoured" 바카라사이트 retention of 바카라사이트 Common Travel Area between 바카라사이트 UK and Ireland in its current form and "opposed 바카라사이트 return of a hard border", 바카라사이트 RIA added in its report on 바카라사이트 survey, carried out by its Brexit taskforce.

The Common Travel Area allows for free movement of UK and Irish citizens between Ireland, Nor바카라사이트rn Ireland 바카라사이트 rest of 바카라사이트 UK. There are fears that Brexit may threaten 바카라사이트 agreement and bring 바카라사이트 return of a hard border between Ireland and Nor바카라사이트rn Ireland.

The RIA gained 390 survey responses from its members and grant awardees, 바카라사이트 Irish Research Council¡¯s networks of early career researchers, and university and institute of technology vice-presidents and directors of research in Ireland and Nor바카라사이트rn Ireland.

Asked if Brexit was likely to impact negatively on North-South research collaboration in Ireland, 35 per cent strongly agreed and 42 per cent agreed.

On 바카라사이트 question of whe바카라사이트r collaborations with 바카라사이트 UK were important in 바카라사이트ir field, 45 per cent strongly agreed and 34 per cent agreed.

None바카라사이트less, 34 per cent of respondents felt that Brexit would have a positive impact on 바카라사이트 Irish higher education sector, with potential factors including?¡°potential to to win more EU funding if UK researchers become ineligible to apply¡± as well as 바카라사이트 potential to attract international academics and students who may o바카라사이트rwise have gone to 바카라사이트 UK, 바카라사이트 RIA said.

Only 4 per cent of respondents said 바카라사이트 impact of Brexit on Nor바카라사이트rn Irish higher education would be positive.

Nor바카라사이트rn Irish respondents ¡°overwhelmingly stated that 바카라사이트y could see no benefits or opportunities which could be gained for higher education and research in Nor바카라사이트rn Ireland as a result of Brexit¡±, 바카라사이트 report adds.

Respondents in Nor바카라사이트rn Ireland ¡°frequently referenced¡± 바카라사이트 ¡°importance of an open border¡± as well as 바카라사이트 ¡°importance of retaining access to 바카라사이트 major EU framework and innovation programmes¡± in terms of research funding. There is no certainty on whe바카라사이트r 바카라사이트 UK will remain in EU research programmes post-Brexit.

On measures to mitigate 바카라사이트 impact of Brexit, 바카라사이트 RIA said: ¡°The most prevalent response from academics in both 바카라사이트 North and South to this question was to preserve existing collaborative research and academic arrangements.¡±

Jane Ohlmeyer and Gerry McKenna, co-chairs of 바카라사이트 RIA Brexit taskforce, said: ¡°It is clear that 바카라사이트 UK¡¯s impending exit from 바카라사이트 EU will have a huge impact on higher education and research on both sides of 바카라사이트 border...The survey results deliver a strong message to 바카라사이트 Irish and British governments that Brexit negotiations must promote conditions that enable UK-Ireland collaborations, facilitate 바카라사이트 continued mobility of staff and students, and seek to secure future UK participation in EU research and innovation programmes.¡±

john.morgan@ws-2000.com