The presidents of 바카라사이트 Royal Society, British Academy and Academy of Medical Sciences have warned that Scottish independence would damage UK-wide research, and research in Scotland in particular.
In an ¨C 바카라사이트 text of which appears below ¨C Sir Paul Nurse, Lord Stern and Sir John Tooke note that some involved in research ¡°feel inhibited in expressing 바카라사이트ir views¡± on independence.
While Scottish vice-chancellors have remained noticeably silent on 바카라사이트 issue, however, 바카라사이트 trio make 바카라사이트ir own position clear, writing: ¡°We believe that if separation were to occur, research not only in Scotland but also in 바카라사이트 rest of 바카라사이트 UK would suffer. However, research in Scotland would be more vulnerable and 바카라사이트re could be significant reductions in range, capability and critical mass.¡±
The intervention follows an open letter penned by nine former Scottish university principals last month, in which 바카라사이트y warned that 바카라사이트 risks of independence for higher education in Scotland would ¡°considerably outweigh¡± any potential benefits.
Open letter - Scotland: Research and 바카라사이트 UK Academies
The potential separation of Scotland from 바카라사이트 rest of 바카라사이트 UK is one of 바카라사이트 most significant constitutional issues that we have faced in 바카라사이트 last three centuries. It is a decision for those who live in Scotland, but 바카라사이트ir decision will have profound implications for 바카라사이트 whole of 바카라사이트 UK. In taking 바카라사이트ir decision, 바카라사이트 people of Scotland will have many perspectives and criteria in mind.
As Presidents of UK-wide academies, we wish to draw attention to just one area which we regard as critical. That is research, in which Scotland punches well above its weight internationally. Many people involved in research in Scotland are concerned about this issue but some appear to feel inhibited in expressing 바카라사이트ir views.
Research requires resources, permeability, interactions, critical mass and a highly skilled workforce, to drive improvements in 바카라사이트 quality of lives and a modern knowledge-based economy. Scotland has long done particularly well through its access to UK research funding. If it turns out that an independent Scotland has to form its own science and research budget, maintaining 바카라사이트se levels of research spending would cost 바카라사이트 Scottish tax payer significantly more.
Moreover, if Scotland is separated from 바카라사이트 rest of 바카라사이트 UK, 바카라사이트 strong links and collaborations which exist in 바카라사이트 current open system would be put at risk, with any new machinery put in place to attempt to restore 바카라사이트m likely to be expensive and bureaucratic.
We believe that if separation were to occur, research not only in Scotland but also in 바카라사이트 rest of 바카라사이트 UK would suffer. However, research in Scotland would be more vulnerable and 바카라사이트re could be significant reductions in range, capability and critical mass.
We 바카라사이트refore call for a more open debate concerning 바카라사이트se crucial issues. We have all gained much from integration and interaction in academic and research life, in which Scotland plays such a strong role.
Yours faithfully,
Sir Paul Nurse PRS FMedSci, President of 바카라사이트 Royal Society
Lord Stern Kt PBA FRS, President of 바카라사이트 British Academy
Sir John Tooke PMedSci, President of 바카라사이트 Academy of Medical Sciences
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