Science Brain Drain

The newspapers are reporting that some scientists are saying they will leave the UK to find research posts overseas if the £6 billion per year cuts to scientific research funding go ahead as part of the government's comprehensive spending review.  Vince Cable, the Business Secretary for the UK's new coalition government, has suggested that it might be a good thing if the mediocrity leave to raise the standards of the remaining body of research.  

It is easy to follow the logic but it is difficult to know how much of this is real and how much is brinkmanship, proselytising or gerrymandering.  Typically, it is hard to know how representative are these quoted sources.  

I think an understandable first reaction is that losing scientists has to be detrimental but, some of the science that seems to get through does seem to represent a mediocrity and so what if it happens abroad? It is a small world.  The science will quickly find its way into the global consciousness.  The research will still be undertaken by a UK national irregardless of where he or she is working and with increasing globalization, it is likely that the research institute will have some level of national interest or ownership. Or, if not the originating institute, there is likely to be some connection at some point along the technological application chain.

However, £6 billion a year is a lot of money and it is the long term effect on the perception of the UK as a motivated, progressive base for research that bothers me.  Our education system is, some would say, in crisis already and take away its creative alter ego and all that will be left is a conveyor belt in a qualification factory.

Much to think about. Let's hope the Royal Society et al and the Universities manage to muster a coherent response.