ALLEA Stands Up for Science in Solidarity with the U.S. Research Community

Today, as the U.S. research community marches to defend science, ALLEA stands in solidarity with researchers around the world in the effort to safeguard academic freedom and protect the integrity of international research collaboration. The current threats to academic freedom in the U.S. — including research funding freezes and censorship in climate science, gender studies, and public health — pose disastrous risks to global scientific collaboration.

These actions not only harm U.S. researchers but also undermine the global scientific community, which relies on the open exchange of knowledge and cross-border collaboration. As science is a global public good, and a collaborative resource, these restrictions threaten the very foundation of international research efforts.

The human right to participate in science extends beyond the right to engage in scientific practice and its benefits; it also encompasses the right to be involved in the organisation and institution of science itself. This right to participate must be equal, as it represents a special form of the right to democratic self-determination

This situation requires an immediate yet thoughtful response that highlights core scientific values and reinforces the fundamental conditions necessary for robust research. These include academic freedom and autonomy, open collaboration, and the free exchange of knowledge within the scientific community. Moreover, it is essential to uphold the free movement and mobility of researchers, respect for evidence, research integrity, and acknowledgment of uncertainty and complexity — all of which are foundational to the advancement of science.

ALLEA issued a statement in February 2025 expressing grave concern over the threats to academic freedom in the U.S., warning of the broader repercussions for science worldwide. Already endorsed by numerous research institutions, European academies, CNRS (France), Independent SAGE (UK), and Science Europe, the statement has received widespread attention, including coverage by Nature.

We now ask you to Stand Up for Science to protect the integrity of research and safeguard the future of global scientific collaboration. You can support this effort by:

For a full list of institutional endorsers, please see.

European Research Community Joins ALLEA in Standing Up for Academic Freedom and Against Recent U.S. Actions

Berlin, 27 February 2025 – The European Federation of Academies of Sciences and Humanities (ALLEA) released a statement expressing grave concern over the growing threats to academic freedom in the United States, warning of the significant global repercussions for science and international research collaboration. The statement has since received significant and widespread support from science organisations across Europe.

The statement came in response to the recent executive orders and legislative measures in the U.S. that have led to disruptions and insecurity in research funding, as well as censorship of scholarly pursuits concerning research in fields such as climate science, gender studies, and public health. Billions in federal research funding have been frozen, forcing many U.S. science agencies and research institutions to suspend or curtail operations.

These actions do not just affect researchers in the U.S., but around the world, because science is a global, collaborative enterprise. ALLEA warns that restrictions on particular research topics and methodologies by the new administration negatively impact transatlantic data sharing and open exchange of ideas, thereby threatening decades of collaborative research between the U.S. and Europe, and potentially setting back scientific progress in critical areas.

As Professor Karin Roelofs, ALLEA Board Member and principal author of the statement puts it, “The silence around threats to academic freedom and international research collaboration is deafening. With this statement, we call upon national governments and international organisations to stand with the research community in remaining vigilant of these challenges. It is now time to join forces to safeguard academic freedom.”

In answer to this call for solidarity, the statement has already been endorsed by almost 50 research institutions, representing the unwavering commitment of the research community to safeguarding academic freedom, which is a key pillar of democratic societies. In addition to European academies of sciences and humanities, prominent research performing and funding organisations such as CNRS (France), independent SAGE (UK), and Science Europe are among the signatories. For a full list of signatories, see here.

ALLEA further urges policymakers in Europe and beyond to reinforce international agreements that protect open scientific collaboration, ensuring that political agendas do not dictate the course of research. As ALLEA President Pawel Rowiński adds, “Academic freedom is the backbone of scientific progress and indeed foundational to a free society. The latest actions by the new U.S. administration threaten the integrity and autonomy of research and disrupt public trust in science not just within the country but worldwide. Europe must stand firm in safeguarding independent research and stay committed to fostering an open and collaborative science ecosystem, thus ensuring that we remain a place where scholars can safely work, free from political interference.”

For media inquiries, please contact us at:

Email: secretariat@allea.org

Tel: +49 (0)30-20 60 66 500

ALLEA Reaffirms Solidarity with the Ukrainian Science Community After Three Years of War

Three years have passed since the beginning of Russia’s illegal war of aggression against Ukraine—a period marked by atrocities against the Ukrainian people and immense challenges for its scientific community. ALLEA reaffirms its unwavering solidarity with Ukraine’s scholars and scientists and with its academic institutions, especially our member, the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine.

Since the conflict began, ALLEA has taken a clear and principled stance supporting Ukraine’s academic sector, while advocating for accountability and justice within the international scientific community. In response to the crisis, we implemented the European Fund for Displaced Scientists (EFDS), which provided essential resources to Ukrainian researchers forced to flee their homes, as well as to Ukrainian scientific institutions to continue their research efforts amidst the war. Collaborative efforts, such as our conferences with the International Science Council (ISC), further provided platforms to address the ongoing challenges faced by the Ukrainian academic system and to foster global solidarity.

ALLEA remains committed to long-term initiatives like the 10-Point Action Plan to Support the Ukrainian Academic System, which outlines essential steps for preserving and rebuilding Ukraine’s scientific infrastructure. As ALLEA President Paweł Rowiński stated, “It is our shared responsibility to ensure that Ukrainian researchers are supported not only in the short term but also as part of broader efforts to sustain and rebuild their academic institutions.”

On this sombre occasion, ALLEA reaffirms its commitment to support the resilience and perseverance of Ukraine’s scientific community. We will continue to stand with Ukrainian researchers and institutions, advocating for their freedom, safety, and ability to contribute to the global scientific endeavour.

ALLEA Publishes Statement Responding to Recent U.S. Restrictions on Academic Freedom

On 19 February, ALLEA published a new Statement expressing grave concern over recent developments in the U.S. affecting the autonomy of scientific research, including funding freezes and blatant censorship around language, research topics, and methodologies. These actions not only threaten the integrity of scientific and scholarly work within the U.S. but also have far-reaching consequences for global research collaboration and scientific progress as a whole. This statement underscores the critical role of academic freedom in democratic societies and calls for collective efforts to safeguard research autonomy worldwide. 

ALLEA called on its members, partners, and like-minded organisations, and urged national governments and international institutions in the U.S., Europe and beyond to remain vigilant and strengthen ongoing efforts to safeguard academic freedom and institutional autonomy. 

We invite our stakeholders in the research community and beyond to show your solidarity with this effort to stand up against undue interference in the scientific endeavour, by:

  • Endorsing the statement as an academy or institution. 
  • Sharing it with your networks to raise awareness. 
  • Engaging with national and regional policymakers to reinforce the importance of academic freedom. 

Read the Statement in full here.

ALLEA Calls for Ethical Safeguards in Research Collaborations with Commercial Entities

In a statement published today, ALLEA, the European Federation of Academies of Sciences and Humanities, addresses key ethical concerns arising from research collaborations with commercial entities. The statement highlights the need for greater transparency, accountability, and safeguards to ensure that academic research maintains its integrity and serves the public good.

As part of its longstanding commitment to research ethics and integrity, ALLEA calls on European and national policymakers, academic institutions, and funding bodies to adopt clear ethical guidelines for collaborations with industry partners.

Towards a Responsible Framework for Research Collaborations

ALLEA’s statement builds on extensive discussions within its Member Academies and the broader scientific community, identifying critical challenges in partnerships between academia and commercial enterprises. The statement underscores the importance of safeguarding academic independence while fostering innovation in research.

The ethical concerns outlined in the statement include potential conflicts of interest, issues related to data ownership and accessibility, and the risk of undue influence on research agendas. ALLEA stresses that addressing these challenges is crucial to ensuring that research collaborations remain beneficial to society as a whole.

Key Considerations from ALLEA’s Statement:

  • Preserving Academic Independence: Research collaborations should not compromise the autonomy of academic institutions or researchers.
  • Ensuring Transparency and Accountability: Clear guidelines on data ownership, intellectual property rights, and funding sources are essential to maintaining trust in scientific research.
  • Managing Conflicts of Interest: Institutions and researchers must implement safeguards to prevent undue influence from commercial partners.
  • Aligning Research with the Public Interest: Academic research should prioritise societal benefits and ethical considerations over purely commercial objectives.

ALLEA’s Commitment

This ALLEA statement has been prepared by ALLEA’s Permanent Working Group on Science and Ethics. Through its Working and Expert Groups, ALLEA provides input on behalf of European academies on pressing societal, scientific, and science-policy debates and their underlying legislations. With its work, ALLEA seeks to ensure that science and research in Europe can excel and serve the interests of society.

The full statement, “ALLEA Statement on Ethical Problems in Research Collaborations with Commercial Entities,” is available here.

ALLEA Reaffirms Its Decision to Cease Communication on X and Its Commitment to Tackling Science Disinformation

ALLEA made the decision to discontinue communication on X, formerly known as Twitter, in January 2024, reflecting our careful consideration of the platform’s evolving policies and their increasing non-alignment with our mission to support science as a global public good and to promote high ethical standards.

One year later, we firmly stand by this decision, reiterating that scientific integrity is based on facts and evidence and reaffirming our commitment to tackling science mis- and disinformation. We welcome the increasing awareness amongst academic, civil society and governmental organisations concerning the use of social media channels, accelerated by recent political shifts across the globe.

In this climate, ALLEA expresses its unwavering support for its academic partners and networks in defending trustworthy and ethically sound science, evidence-based decision-making, and the independent and impartial sharing of information.

The ways we communicate and the platforms we choose for information sharing and exchange must align with our values and further our mission to advance science for the public good, free from undue political or commercial interference and disinformation.

We encourage our members and partners to stay connected with ALLEA by joining us on LinkedIn and Mastodon, and subscribing to our newsletter for continued updates.

Maintaining the Autonomy of the ERC: A Cornerstone of Europe’s Research Excellence

Amid the ongoing debate surrounding the leaked European Commission’s communication on the “Competitive Compass for the EU”, ALLEA echoes widespread concerns about potential risks to the European Research Council (ERC)’s autonomy.

ALLEA has consistently argued that the independence of the European Research Council (ERC) is fundamental to Europe’s ability to drive groundbreaking innovation through basic and fundamental research.

ERC President Maria Leptin has rightly emphasised the need to shield frontier research from short-term political and economic priorities.  We agree that Europe’s ability to remain competitive globally depends on ensuring that curiosity-driven research continues to thrive, as she pointed out recently, at the World Economic Forum.

We therefore recall and welcome the EU Competitiveness Council’s note from 26 November 2024 – which strongly reaffirmed the importance of preserving the ERC’s independent governance and implementation structure –, reiterate our commitment to scientific excellence as the guiding principle for European R&I (funding) policies, and stand firmly with the ERC in ensuring that independent, high-quality research remains at the heart of Europe’s innovation ecosystem.

You can read the EU Competitiveness Council’s note here.

Event Report – Decoding Polarisation in Debates on Sustainable Food Systems

A 3-part workshop series focused on developing tools to depolarise conversations on sustainable food systems comes to an end.

Between October and December 2024, ALLEA, in partnership with Re-Imagine Europa, organised a 3-part online workshop series, titled, Decoding Polarisation in Debates on Sustainable Food Systems. The invite-only event included diverse stakeholders, such as farmers, academics, activists, and policymakers, who came together to dive deep into the question, “How can we have more constructive conversations on sustainable food systems in Europe that lead to mutually-beneficial and innovative solutions?”

The hands-on and interactive workshops built on each other as they explored the “who”, “what”, “where”, and “why” of  the current state of polarisation, and finally the “how” of depolarising these critical conversations to arrive at innovative solutions for an inclusive and equitable future.

Workshop 1

 Actors and Agendas – Analysing “Who” are the Players in Sustainable Food Systems and “What” are their Interests

In the first workshop, participants mapped the different stakeholders in European food systems and discussed the different interests and agendas of these stakeholders, as well as their varying ideas of what “sustainability” means, in order to find common ground as well as their legitimate divergences. The first speaker, Barbara Gallani, Head of the European Food Safety Authority’s (EFSA) Communication and Partnerships (ENGAGE) Department, presented work that EFSA had done on stakeholder mapping and identified discourses on food using social media data. She noted that by collecting such data on the prevailing narratives and discourses, communication efforts on controversial topics could be improved. The second speaker, Sir Charles Godfray, Director, Oxford Martin School, began his presentation by asking the slightly provocative question, “Is agreement on land-use policy in the UK and Europe achievable?” The participants were asked to debate whether, and how, agricultural intensification can coexist with conservation and biodiversity preservation efforts. In addition to the speaker presentations, participants debated the complexities of trying to build consensus among the diversity of stakeholders in European food systems, without squashing dissent and or legitimate disagreement on goals, values, and methods.

Workshop 2

Roots of Polarisation – Revealing the “Why”  

After the workshop on identifying the actors, participants were tasked with discovering the ‘roots’, i.e., the underlying social and contextual drivers, of the current state of polarisation on sustainable food systems. The session included presentations by Prof Bobby Duffy, Director of the Policy Institute at King’s College London, and Mario Scharfbillig, Science for Policy Analyst at the European Commission’s Joint Research Centre (JRC). Prof Duffy presented insights into the varying polarisation models , both affective and issue-based, in the literature and invited participants to analyse which might apply to the debates on food systems in Europe. Participants also looked into how issues on sustainable food are increasingly being looked at through a ‘culture war’ lens and discussed how this could be mitigated. Mario Scharfbillig then presented the latest research from the JRC on ‘Trustworthy Public Communication’, inviting participants to think about how to enable a paradigm shift – from influencing to empowering public debates on “contentious” topics. With a disclaimer that more effective communication is not the only tool to combat polarisation, Scharfbillig shared the report’s recommendations on how to talk to the public in a way that builds, and retains, trust.

Workshop 3

Depolarisation Tools and Solutions – Discovering “How” to Have Constructive Conversations on Sustainable Food Systems

In the final workshop, participants were tasked with discussing and developing depolarisation tools and methodologies. The session included presentations by Prof Stephan Lewandowsky, Professor of Cognitive Science, University of Bristol and Prof Bram Büscher, Professor and Chair at the Sociology of Development and Change group, Wageningen University. Prof Lewandowsky, who was previously a part of ALLEA’s PERITIA project on building trust in expertise, shared his research into combatting mis- and disinformation, particularly through the use of ‘inoculation’ science, along with real-life examples of such methodologies at work. Prof Büscher then shared his insights into the power structures that underpin polarisation with a look at conservation and environmentalism in the era of post-truth politics and platform Capitalism. He stressed that there was a pressing need to build alternative networks to the hegemony of the digital space, which could be harnessed for goals such as environmental and food sustainability. Participants then debated if/how inoculation methods could be applied to controversial topics in sustainable food systems, such as new genomic techniques (NGTs), and further discussed how to build alternative networks dedicated to making food more sustainable.

A more detailed report with key insights from the workshop series will be published in Spring 2025.

ALLEA Calls For Balanced And Secure International Research Collaboration In A Changing World

In a statement published today, ALLEA, the European Federation of Academies of Sciences and Humanities, highlights the urgent need to safeguard openness, research integrity, and academic freedom in international research collaborations while addressing emerging security concerns in a rapidly and radically changing geopolitical landscape.

As a longstanding advocate for open and responsible science, ALLEA urges European and national policymakers, research funders, and academic institutions to adopt a harmonised and principles-based approach to research security.

“Europe must find a balanced path that manages risks without undermining academic freedom and scientific progress,” said Professor Pawel Rowinski, ALLEA President and a lead contributor to the statement. “This is not just about protecting research—it’s about protecting the values that underpin it.”

Towards a European Framework for Research Security

ALLEA’s statement welcomes established frameworks like the EU Council Recommendation on Enhancing Research Security and builds on extensive exchange with its Member Academies, the scientific community, and European Institutions. It offers a distinctly European perspective on navigating the complexities of international collaboration in an increasingly fragmented geopolitical landscape.

The statement stresses the importance of capacity building and harmonised rules within the European Research Area (ERA) to empower researchers and institutions. Seeking to tackle the enormous global challenges by enabling sustainable and secure international scientific partnerships in a responsible manner, it calls for creating fair conditions of equitable access to research security resources and clarifying responsibilities.

Integrating Freedom and Responsibility

While academic freedom remains a cornerstone of science, ALLEA underscores that it comes with responsibilities. Researchers and institutions must carefully evaluate potential risks while adhering to principles of research ethics and integrity.

“Research security frameworks must not close doors but enable informed choices, allowing science to thrive without compromising its openness,” said ALLEA Vice President Marie Louise Nosch, another principal contributor.

Key Recommendations from ALLEA’s Statement:

  • Balancing Openness and Security: Research policies must integrate openness with robust security measures to mitigate risks without restricting academic freedom.
  • Harmonised Rules Across Europe: ALLEA calls for a unified framework across the ERA to provide consistency and clarity for researchers and institutions.
  • Capacity Building: Policymakers and institutions must invest in tools and training that equip researchers at all career stages to manage collaboration risks effectively.
  • Guidance for Sensitive Partnerships: ALLEA advocates for clear guidelines to support collaborations in environments that may not fully respect academic freedom or institutional autonomy.

ALLEA’s Commitment

This statement, developed by a dedicated task force alongside the ALLEA Working Group on the European Research Area, reflects ALLEA’s ongoing commitment to fostering science as a global public good. Through its work, ALLEA continues to promote secure, inclusive, and globally relevant scientific collaboration.

This statement builds on the key topics discussed at the ALLEA General Assembly in May 2024 in Berlin, where a major focus was responsible internationalisation in science. Specifically, the discussion centered on how to encourage and foster international research collaborations during times of geopolitical crises, while preventing the misuse of science and technology. To this end, ALLEA invited insightful comments from experts, including Juras Banys (President of the Lithuanian Academy of Sciences and ALLEA Board Member), David Harel (President of the Israel Academy of Sciences and Humanities), Mark Walport (Foreign Secretary of The Royal Society), Yves Flückiger (President of the Swiss Academies of Arts and Sciences), Antonio Loprieno (Former ALLEA President), and Pawel Rowinski (ALLEA President), in a video discussion:

 

The full statement, “ALLEA Statement on Research Collaboration and Research Security in a Shifting Geopolitical Landscape,” is available here.

 

Top Scientists Advise European Commission on Solar Radiation Modification Technologies

A group of leading scientists nominated by academies has provided advice to the European Commission about solar radiation modification technologies through the Scientific Advice Mechanism. This advice underscores that solar radiation modification technologies are not yet mature and deploying them could have many effects, both intended and unintended.

The Scientific Advice Mechanism provides independent scientific evidence and policy recommendations to the European institutions.

For decades, technologies have been proposed that would reduce or counteract global warming by reflecting sunlight away from the Earth. These proposals, known as “solar radiation modification” technologies, include stratospheric aerosol injection, cloud brightening, and others.

However, none of the technologies is mature and deploying them could have many effects, both intended and unintended. They could have negative impacts on ecosystems, change rainfall patterns, and hamper food production. Moreover, they would not address the direct impacts of greenhouse gases.

The benefits and risks of these proposals are also highly uncertain. Member of the Group of Chief Scientific Advisors, Prof. Nebojsa Nakicenovic, adds that “Deploying them could have effects on the climate in different parts of the world which would be difficult to predict and difficult to manage in practice.”

“These climate interventions could present grave risks if they are ever deployed, or come to be relied upon to protect critical habitats—coral reeds, Arctic and Antarctic ice sheets, farmland key to food security—by lowering temperatures in a world of global warming,” says Prof. Benjamin Sovacool, co-chair of the SAPEA working group. “Our Evidence Review Report synthesises the vast evidence on these controversial options, with a wonderful inclusion of work in the social sciences, arts, and humanities,” he adds.

Some solar radiation modification applications would need to run for generations-long timescales and have impacts across the entire planet. A strong global governance framework would be needed for this, with adequate representation for all affected parties, and with compensation mechanisms for those potentially harmed. No such framework exists, and it is not clear how one could be created.

More information

Scientific Advice Mechanism, Group of Chief Scientific Advisors, Solar Radiation Modification, Scientific Opinion No. 17.

Scientific Advice Mechanism, Science Advice for Policy by European Academies, Solar Radiation Modification, Evidence Review Report.

European Group on Ethics in Science and New Technologies, Solar Radiation Modification, Ethical perspectives, Opinion No. 34.

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