The populist right is damaging US science. The UK could be next.

What we should be doing now to insulate UK science against the populist anti-science agenda

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The United States is currently witnessing an unprecedented assault on its scientists and scientific institutions, driven by populist agendas that prioritise ideology over evidence. These orchestrated attacks threaten the foundations of evidence-based policy-making and scientific progress. Funding has been slashed, climate research censored, and public health is in jeopardy. Watching the disaster unfold at one step removed UK scientists must not stand idly by but instead react to support our US colleagues. We must also recognise the warning signs within our own borders and act swiftly to safeguard our scientific institutions from a similar fate.

Many US scientists fear that speaking out against the tyranny of the current regime could jeopardise their careers, funding, or even their personal safety. Scientific colleagues from around the globe must come to their aid by speaking out against political interference in science, advocating for their own scientific institutions to defend scientific integrity, and offering research opportunities to those facing suppression. It’s more important than ever for non-US scientists to engage with policymakers in their own countries to promote evidence-based policies globally. If not for the sake of their US colleagues then for their own sake, to safeguard their own future scientific endeavours against the creeping rise of the populist right.

Warning signs in the UK

The UK, in particular, is not immune to the growing influence of populism and its disdain for scientific expertise. Nigel Farage, Richard Tice and the Reform Party more generally have increasingly positioned themselves as champions of “common sense” policies that reject expert consensus on issues ranging from climate change to public health. We have already seen the emergence of anti-science rhetoric in public discourse, particularly around climate change policies, vaccines, and social policy. Some media outlets have amplified climate change scepticism, while politicians have openly questioned net-zero commitments, framing them as an elitist agenda rather than a science-back policy.

This trend has also led to attacks on academic freedom. Universities have faced increasing pressure from populist politicians who argue that higher education institutions promote “woke” ideologies at the expense of free thought. Meanwhile, right-wing media outlets continue to provide a platform for climate scepticism and other forms of misinformation, influencing public opinion and policymaking in ways that could be detrimental to the UK's scientific future.

The situation is further exacerbated by policies that have directly damaged UK science. The post-Brexit political landscape has seen science budget squeezes and delays in re-joining the EU Horizon programme, which have weakened the UK's influence in global research. At the same time, the current government's reluctance to fully embrace green technologies and sustainable energy policies suggests a willingness to appease populist sentiments rather than follow scientific recommendations.

Taking action to safeguard UK science

To prevent the erosion of scientific integrity and to protect vital scientific research, the UK must take decisive action to insulate its research institutions and the academic freedom of its scientists from the influence of populist anti-science politics. A crucial first step is securing independent funding for scientific research. By diversifying funding streams through private foundations, international collaborations, and charitable trusts, the UK can provide a degree of protection to scientific inquiry from political interference and budgetary restrictions. Enacting strong legal protections for scientific institutions is another vital step towards guaranteeing their independence. Legislation must be introduced to prevent political figures from defunding or censoring research that does not align with their ideological interests.

Public engagement with science must also be strengthened to counteract misinformation and emphasise the value of unbiased scientific research. Scientists and institutions must communicate their work more effectively, using accessible language and a diverse range of media/social media platforms to reach the broadest audience possible. By fostering a society that values and understands science, we can build resilience against populist attempts to delegitimise research. This effort should go hand in hand with a renewed emphasis on science education in schools, where curricula must prioritise critical thinking, evidence-based reasoning, and an understanding of scientific methodology. An informed and educated public is far less susceptible to the distortions of populist propaganda

Relatedly, mobilising public support for science is a potentially critical line of defence. When citizens understand the importance of scientific research and its direct impact on their lives—whether through medical advancements, technological innovations, or climate resilience—they are more likely to demand that it be protected. Grassroots movements, advocacy campaigns, and alliances between scientists and civil society organisations can create a powerful counterforce against attempts to undermine science and scientific institutions.

The UK must also deepen its commitment to international scientific partnerships. By collaborating with European and global research institutions, we can ensure that British science remains part of a wider network, making it more resistant to nationalist and isolationist policies. Such partnerships not only strengthen scientific progress but also provide some degree of security should domestic political shifts threaten funding or policy support for crucial research.

Safeguarding evidence-based policymaking will be another essential protection. Commitment to this would involve embedding scientific advisors throughout government, with their recommendations given real weight in decision-making processes. The sidelining of experts during the COVID-19 pandemic demonstrated the dangers of political interference in scientific matters; we must learn from this and ensure that consensus evidence-based policy remains the standard moving forward. At the same time, universities and research institutions must adopt stronger protections for academic freedom. Researchers should be able to work without fear of political retribution or ideological attacks, particularly in fields that are often targeted by populists, such as climate science, epidemiology, and social policy.

Attacks on science must be countered quickly and decisively. The scientific community must be proactive in calling out attempts to distort research or undermine expert consensus. If misinformation is allowed to spread unchecked, it can take root in the public consciousness, making it far harder to correct later. This is particularly true in areas like vaccine safety, climate change, and renewable energy policies, where populist narratives have already gained traction.

The time to safeguard UK science is now

The challenges faced currently by the U.S. scientific community serve as a stark reminder of the fragility of scientific institutions in the face of political populism. The UK stands at a crossroads; by taking proactive measures now, we can strengthen our scientific landscape against similar threats. The preservation of scientific integrity is not just a concern for scientists themselves, but a societal imperative that underpins progress, policy, and public well-being. If we fail to act, we risk witnessing the same erosion of scientific credibility and institutional independence that has afflicted the United States. We must act now to ensure the preservation and protection of UK science against the rise of populism.