A Wake-up Call for Researchers: Trump Administration's Aggressive Policies Pose a Threat to Global Science
Barred U.S. Access to Scientific Data: "Unforeseen Risk Looms as Data Remains Inaccessible"
As European researchers sound the alarm, concern over the Trump administration's policies towards American research is escalating. Since the inauguration, precious research data, crucial for public health and climate research, have been wiped off government platforms, causing panic in the global scientific community. "This unexpected risk is all too real," warns Didier Samuel, CEO of Inserm, echoing the sentiments of many researchers.
The recent wave of data extinction and access restrictions, driven by administrative decisions, is shaking the foundations of a cooperative scientific ecosystem that thrived after World War II. In the face of this lockdown, Europe must take action, urges Samuel.
The current scenario begs the question: where does the future of global research lie?
A New Era for Research Independence
Experts argue that the European scientific community faces an irreversible loss if action isn't taken promptly. A multi-faceted strategy is being employed to protect research independence and safeguard the continent's scientific integrity.
- Data SovereigntyThe European Data Strategy prioritizes creating self-contained data markets with Common European Data Spaces, ensuring data generated in Europe remains under EU jurisdiction. Data localization principles are implemented while maintaining GDPR compliance, safeguarding citizens' rights.
- Infrastructure InvestmentsEfforts are being made to boost EU data center capacity, aiming to reduce dependency on non-EU cloud providers. Sizable investments are being allocated to develop federated cloud infrastructures, ensuring energy-efficient and resilient systems.
- AI and Data GovernanceThe Data Union Strategy simplifies compliance with EU data rules, enabling seamless cross-border data sharing. AI adoption is being accelerated in strategic sectors, prioritizing homegrown solutions. A collaborative research framework is being promoted to minimize over-reliance on external datasets.
- Legal and Policy SafeguardsLaws are being enacted to enable access to privately held data for public interest research while respecting creator rights. Institutions are aligning repositories with Open Science policies and implementing digital preservation protocols to ensure long-term data access.
By centralizing data governance, scaling infrastructure, and embedding AI readiness, the EU aims to position its scientific ecosystem to thrive independently, while maintaining global research competitiveness. It's a call to action for Europe and a clarion call for the global scientific community to rally together in times of adversity.
- American researchers are concerned about the Trump administration's policies towards American research, with data crucial for public health and climate research being wiped off government platforms.
- Didier Samuel, CEO of Inserm, warns of the risks posed by these policies to the global scientific community, emphasizing that action must be taken.
- Europe must take action to safeguard its scientific integrity and preserve research independence in the face of data extinction and access restrictions, as the current scenario threatens the future of global research.
- To achieve this, Europe is employing a multi-faceted strategy that includes prioritizing data sovereignty, investing in infrastructure, promoting AI and data governance, and enacting legal and policy safeguards.
- This strategy includes creating self-contained data markets, reducing dependence on non-EU cloud providers, simplifying compliance with EU data rules, and enabling access to privately held data for public interest research.
- By centralizing data governance, scaling infrastructure, and embedding AI readiness, the EU aims to position its scientific ecosystem to thrive independently, while maintaining global research competitiveness. It's a call to action for Europe and a clarion call for the global scientific community to rally together in times of adversity.
