America's indecency is Austria's gain
The Trump administration's assault on science and higher education presents an opportunity for Europe.
We knew that Donald Trump's second term would not be great for science. But even so, the all-out and self-destructive war on higher education and public health has still come as a shock to many, demonstrating that this Trump administration is prepared to gut the country's premier institutions to deliver victories in the culture wars, even at the expense of the country's economic future.
It is also clear this will not be reversed in the next few years. Even if a new administration were to come in and recommit itself to furthering human knowledge: Can you trust that the United States electorate will not make another bad decision in four to eight years? For those just starting to build their careers — and especially for immigrants — America is no longer the safe bet.
Charles R. Davis
That's a travesty, but for other countries it is also an opportunity. As Austrian officials told me, they cannot afford to replace a global hegemon, but they can poach some of its leading researchers by offering money, in the form of new fellowships, but also stability and academic freedom. Dozens of scientists have taken them up on the offer in just the past year; several said it was a pretty easy call, citing the higher quality of life in this central European nation — free health care and cheaper housing — and the stress and uncertainty that would come from remaining in the U.S.
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Charles Davis
