Trump, the Enemy of Science: Austria Builds a "Safe Haven" for Researchers in the USA

The attacks on the freedom of science and democracy in the USA leave her "speechless," said Holzleitner: "One absurdity follows another." When "scientists are silenced," democracy erodes. Austria and Europe stand by those affected and are working to offer them options to work here. However, this will take some time. "We do not govern by decrees," said the minister in the statement, alluding to Trump's style of governance.

USA under Trump's administration: "Climate of hostility towards science emerged"

The uniko is working "intensively with various scientific institutions in the country and politics to create docking opportunities for researchers in Austria," it was stated in a press release on Tuesday afternoon. Offers are aimed at people currently working in the USA, but also, for example, at young scientists "for whom the USA no longer appears as the mecca of research."

Working groups are developing plans on how to react quickly despite budgetary constraints in Austria. This involves reallocating funds within existing performance agreements between the Ministry of Science, universities, and research institutions to bring forward planned professorship announcements. The platform "Euraxess Austria" will be further developed into the "central portal for offers to target groups." To advance the "possibility of so-called opportunity hiring (appointments without advertisement)," amendments to the University Act (UG) are being considered. "Opening branches of US universities in Austria would also be attractive for the location," according to uniko.

"Ironically, in the USA, a country that liberated us from fascism 80 years ago and brought democracy," a "climate of hostility towards science has emerged," said the president of the Universities Conference, Brigitte Hütter. "This development was unimaginable until recently and is very regrettable," lamented the rector of the University of Arts Linz.

(APA/Red.)

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