My Letter to my MP about science funding
Dear Michael Moore,
I was disappointed to hear about the proposed cuts to UK science funding. As a scientist myself the proposed cuts will directly effect the possibilities to continue my career in the UK. If the proposed cuts go ahead the UK risks suffering from a “brain drain” with many eminent scientists leaving the country to continue their research. The lack of funding will also effect the number of doctoral studentships on offer at UK universities, impacting the generation of fresh blood in various scientific fields. Would you deny young people the chance to become the next Darwin, Flemming or Hawking?
I find the reasoning for cutting funding difficult to fathom as research can lead to the development of new products and technologies for the UK to capitalise on. History itself proves that for every $1 of research grant that was used by NASA for the Apollo moon landings returned $14 from products and technologies developed off the back of the project. It is therefore little wonder that other nations such as the US, Germany and France are actually increasing science funding during this financially turbulent period.
Cutting science funding now would leave the UK with a recovery period of decades as research cannot simply be switched back on during times of plenty. I urge you to takes this up with you coalition members lest the UK recede in to a period of intellectual famine.
Yours sincerely,
Niall Gauld
