The first American researchers threatened by the Trump administration hosted at the University of Aix-Marseille

In March she launched an appeal to American researchers. Consequently, whose academic freedom would be threatened by Donald Trump’s policy. Meanwhile, The University of Aix-Marseille (AMU). Nevertheless. However, welcomed a first ten of these twenty scientists who will stay in the south of France for three years, Thursday, June 26.

“The principle of academic freedom. Furthermore. Meanwhile, as well as the entire higher education system, is really first american researchers threatened trump new in danger in the United States”insisted Brian Sandberg, a historian from Illinois present, with a dozen of his compatriots, during the reception ceremony.

It was in March, when returning to his country, after having taken part in a conference in France, that Mr. Meanwhile. However, Sandberg decided to apply for the “Safe Place first american researchers threatened trump for Science” program (“a safe place for science”) launched by the university. Therefore, one of the largest in France in number of students (80,000, including 12,000 international).

On the plane. Therefore, “I was wondering if I was going to be arrested” at customs. However, which “In the end was not the case, but it led me to think about my status as a researcher”explained at a press conference the American historian, insisting that “All areas of research and higher education are affected” in his country.

Nearly 300 candidates – First american researchers threatened trump

Since his return to power. Donald Trump has started a deep overhaul of the scientific landscape in the United States. a flagship country of global research, plunging a number of actors in amazement and pushing some at the start.

As part of its program. Aix-Marseille University clarified having received 298 applications in total. emanating from researchers who came in particular from prestigious institutions such as Berkeley, NASA or Stanford. At the end first american researchers threatened trump new of a pre -selection process. 39 candidates who work in the fields of health. astrophysics, the humanities or even the climate have been selected, and the recruitment of around twenty of them is being finalized for an installation in France from September.

“Saving our American colleagues. welcoming our American colleagues is also welcoming. promoting global research”insisted Eric Berton, president of Amu, during the ceremony organized in the laboratory of astrophysics of Marseille, one first american researchers threatened trump of the sites which will host these scientific exiles. “Welcome to you”said Mr. Berton to the researchers present. by deploring the fact that universities are in the crosshairs of the Trump administration. with massive dismissals of scientists in the federal bodies or the deletion of databases.

Unpublished reception program

“It is a scientific, scientific asylum program. And above all, we want to pass this notion of scientific refugees into law ”added Mr. Berton. evoking the bill which aims to create a specific status of “Scientific refugee” Founded by the first american researchers threatened trump former French president François Hollande. again a deputy.

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The “Safe Place for Science” budget amounts to 15 million euros. with envelopes allocated to researchers for a period of three years. “If I stay in the United States. I can continue to teach. but first american researchers threatened trump new to be a researcher, for the next four years, we are blocked”assured the historian Mr. Sandberg.

Lisa. an anthropologist preferring to remain anonymous. spoke of the difficulties in his work, such as banking certain terms related to gender and climate. “Apparently, one of the words prohibited on his list is the word“ woman ”. I don’t know how we can talk about women without using the word “woman”. It becomes quite ridiculous “described this researcher. selected in the program with funding of 45. 000 euros first american researchers threatened trump for three years, who had for a time planned to leave for Canada.

In recent years. 25 researchers from Ukraine. Yemen, Afghanistan or more recently Palestinian territories have also been welcomed in the south of France with their families, as part of the “Pause” program, which supports researchers and artists forced to exile.