In brief
Amid escalating funding cuts and federal layoffs, scientists at a major conference in Boston express their grief and determination to confront the ongoing challenges facing research institutions.
In Boston this week, the annual convention of the American Association for the Advancement of Science has brought together a community of scholars deeply concerned about their future. Prominent discussions included dire predictions about existential threats such as uncontrolled artificial intelligence and harmful chemicals, yet the predominant worry revolved around the direct impacts of the Trump administration’s actions on the scientific workforce.The atmosphere at the conference, described by Sudip Parikh, head of AAAS, as filled with “angst and anxiety,” was palpable. Attendees were quick to share news regarding layoffs within federal agencies, which only served to compound their unease. Roger Wakimoto, the vice chancellor for research at UCLA, remarked, “It’s like we’re getting hit from all sides,” indicating the multifaceted challenges facing the scientific community.Just weeks into President Trump’s second term, major shifts in policy have emerged. Alongside substantial slashes to scientific funding, universities face intimidation regarding diversity programs and the potential deportation of undocumented students. Such actions have left academic institutions reeling, echoing a growing sense of uncertainty and despair within the scientific community.The conference served not only as a forum for sharing concerns but also as a strategic space for members of the scientific community to unify and devise methods to fight against these adversities. The collective resolve amongst attendees highlights an urgent necessity to advocate for the importance of science in policy-making during these times of turmoil.
