UK and other non-US scientists must act to support our US colleagues
Silence will not shield scientists from the consequences of an increasingly hostile political landscape
Science thrives on collaboration and openness. The people who practice science are committed to seeking truth and combatting falsehoods. In an era where political forces increasingly seek to distort, suppress, or co-opt scientific knowledge for ideological purposes, the global scientific community must recognise that staying silent in the face of these challenges is no longer an option.
United States scientific institutions, for so long pioneers in global scientific research, now suffer under an atmosphere in which political interference threatens to erode trust, slash funding, and curtail intellectual freedom. Recent weeks have seen alarming developments: the chaotic freezing of grants and research funding, a push for institutional neutrality that risks silencing scientists, and the growing influence of figures like Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who continue to spread anti-vaccine misinformation. Meanwhile, Elon Musk's growing influence over public discourse has raised concerns about the amplification of disinformation (in particular through social media) threatening to undermine science, scientists and scientific institutions.
Recently, after publishing my previous piece on my Substack (in which I argued that The Royal Society should act to expel Elon Musk as a fellow in order to uphold scientific integrity), I was contacted by a US-based scientist who thanked me for speaking out. They explained that, due to the political climate and institutional pressures, they felt hamstrung and unable to publicly voice their concerns about the attacks on science. Their situation is emblematic of the broader issue: many US scientists fear that speaking out could jeopardise their careers, funding, or personal safety. This is precisely why UK scientists, who are likely to be further removed from the immediate repercussions of speaking out, must amplify these suppressed voices and advocate for scientific integrity on their behalf.
In light of the rapidly changing situation, there are questions for UK and other non-US scientists to answer: Will we stand idly by and watch the US science crisis unfold or will we take action in support our American colleagues? If the latter then how can we most effectively make use of our removed situation to take action at a distance?
Speaking Out: Science Cannot Be Silent
For me, the idea that science is strictly apolitical is an unhelpful myth. Science has always been political and will continue to be. Decisions about research funding, public health policies, and climate action are shaped by political will, and when that will is hostile to evidence-based decision-making, silence (under the guise of neutrality) becomes complicity. The UK scientific community must be vocal in calling out policies that undermine scientific integrity in the US and beyond. Institutions such as the Royal Society, and should use their platforms to challenge misinformation and advocate for the protection of US scientists facing political retribution.
Institutional Solidarity: Offering a Lifeline
One tangible step that UK scientific institutions/organisations like the UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) or funders like the Wellcome Trust might take is to offer fellowships, and other research opportunities to US scientists who find themselves marginalised or unable to work freely due to political interference. The UK already benefits from a strong tradition of scientific collaboration with the US, and expanding this through targeted programs for those facing suppression would not only help individual researchers but also strengthen international scientific resilience.
The recent freezing of grants, sparking funding chaos in the US underscores the need for scientific outlets/opportunities for those at risk. From a purely selfish point of view, the UK could view this as an opportunity to attract some of the best and brightest minds who are experiencing marginalisation in the US. Already it is expected that UK universities could see a much needed boost in student numbers as fewer students choose to study in the US.
Countering Disinformation and Defending Scientific Integrity
A key aspect of recent political attacks on science is the deliberate spread of disinformation. Figures like Robert F. Kennedy Jr. have brough anti-vaccine rhetoric into the mainstream, while Musk’s influence over online discourse has amplified climate denial, conspiracy theories and hate speech. Non-US scientists should take an active role in countering these narratives through public engagement, media outreach, and digital literacy campaigns. Although not a quick fix, in the longer term, universities and other research institutions should work with social media platforms and policymakers to combat the spread of pseudoscientific misinformation.
Musk and the Royal Society: A Test of Scientific Integrity
The ongoing debate over whether the Royal Society should expel Elon Musk highlights a broader issue: how scientific institutions respond to politically charged figures who wield significant influence. As Dorothy Bishop and others have pointed out, failure to act risks sending the message that the scientific establishment tolerates those who undermine it. UK scientists must press the Royal Society and other institutions to take principled stances when scientific integrity is at stake. While some argue that expelling Musk could harm trust in science, I believe that inaction could be even more damaging.
Leveraging Political Influence
The UK government maintains stronger institutional safeguards for scientific integrity than the current US regime. UK and other non-US scientists should lobby policymakers to advocate for pro-science policies at the international level, including in negotiations with the US. The evolving US political situation demonstrates that science must navigate corporate influence, social media power, and government hostility. If non-US scientists remain passive, they risk allowing anti-science forces to dominate global discourse.
Cross-Border Mobilisation
One lesson from history is that attacks on science in one country have ripple effects elsewhere. The global scientific community must therefore work closely with US counterparts, not just in research but in activism. This could involve providing legal aid to persecuted scientists, or forming transatlantic coalitions to defend academic freedom. In the face of inaction from scientific organisations and representative bodies, grass-roots efforts from individual scientists and professional bodies may be the only way forwards.
What next?
Trump’s executive orders, Musk’s erratic influence, and the broader rise of science denialism are not just American problems—they are global threats. Science does not exist in a vacuum, and those who wield power over research funding, are in privileged public communication positions, and influence institutional governance will determine the future of scientific progress. Non-US scientists must recognise that silence will not shield them from the consequences of an increasingly hostile political landscape.