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Astrophysicist at Cambridge University lost Esa project role over Brexit row | Brexit

An astrophysicist at the University of Cambridge studying the Milky Way and hoping play most of in European Space Agency (ESA) next big project was forced to hand over over its coordination role on diagram after row over Northern Ireland’s Brexit deal set science in in firing line.

Nicholas Walton, research institute employee of Astronomy, reluctantly handing over its leadership role in pan-European network of Marie Curie worth 2.8 million euros research project colleague in Netherlands on Friday.

The European Commission notified him in writing that British scientists could not hold senior positions because membership of £80 billion Horizon Europe (HE) flagship funding network has not been ratified.

Walton was to head the doctoral network associated with Gaia Esa mission which maps almost 2 billion stars in Milky Way.

He one just one of A handful of British physicists approved for HE grant, but now must take the passenger seat in his own project.

Carsten Welsh, physicist at the University of Liverpool who It has won 2.6 million euros in financing, also by Marie Curie network, for long term research on a novel plasma generator, yes also facing the same dilemma move in the EU or manually over leadership in the establishment of the EU to ensure research role.

“As the UK’s association with Horizon Europe has not yet been finalized, we are now real risk of loss of our leadership in this consortium and be marginalized.

“It’s really heartbreaking considering the long and hugely successful track. record in scientific collaboration between the UK and the EU,” he said.

Both Welsh and Walton talk about loss of their roles in in research networks are only part of of painting. Horizon Europe Offers Ringside Seat in big projects worth billions of euro with networks of academia and industry.

“The damage is already is being done…our influence is waning,” Welsh said.

Walton coordinates role came with opportunity to be a part of European team definition science case for Gaia’s €1 billion successor, the Esa Voyage 2050 program, and for training new cohort of astronomers.

“It’s about jobs and economy and ultimately it makes the UK a wealthier society,” he said.

Last week, EU Ambassador to the UK Joao Vale de Almeida acknowledged that science may be a victim of political impasse.”

Sir Adrian Smith, President of The Royal Society declared: “Window for the association closes fast and we need to ensure that political questions don’t get in in way of rational decision. We have always been very clear this association is the preferred outcome for protection of decades of collaborative research and the benefits it has brought to people’s lives on the continent and beyond.”

Welch reviews it options and said that the UK proposal step in with alternative financing “fantastic in principle”.

But he says it’s not a replacement.

“While the UK Research and Innovation guarantee fund provides vital financial support and allows UK Institutions can contribute as Associate Partners (no EU funding), meaning that UK Institutions can no longer lead projects, no more in charge of project milestones, and overall the UK seems to be losing an important lead.”

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Adrian Ovalle
Adrian Ovalle
Adrian is working as the Editor at World Weekly News. He tries to provide our readers with the fastest news from all around the world before anywhere else.

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