Scottish independence could jeopardise scientific breakthroughs and curtail the careers of young scientists, says a scientist who is spearheading a group of academics campaigning to keep the UK together.
Academics Together, an arm of the pro-UK Better Together campaign, will be launched with a speech by Hugh Pennington, emeritus professor of bacteriology at Aberdeen University.
He will hail the UK’s “large, highly integrated, internationally renowned UK research base” and Better Together chief Alistair Darling will stress the “disproportionately high share of UK research funding” Scottish facilities receive for a country with under a 10th of UK population.
Prof Pennington said: “I would hate to see our world-leading reputation for innovation and discovery put at risk. I would hate to see the next big breakthrough jeopardised or see the chances of a young researcher curtailed.
“The absence of barriers allows not just funding and people, but ideas and innovation, to flow freely.
“I don’t want to put the success of Scotland’s world-leading research at risk. I believe that the best way to build on that success is to continue working together as part of the UK.”
Mr Darling is to visit the British Heart Foundation Cardiovascular Research Centre at Glasgow University before the launch to highlight what he sees as one of the benefits of Scotland being part of the UK.
Mr Darling said: “Research facilities and universities in Scotland get a disproportionately high share of UK research funding. We make up 8% of the UK population but get over 13% of UK research funding. That is a clear, positive benefit of being part of the UK.
“The only thing putting Scotland’s world-leading research reputation at risk is Alex Salmond’s obsession with independence. The nationalists claim that nothing will change if we go it alone, but can’t back it up with any evidence.
“If Alex Salmond’s White Paper later this month is to have any credibility it must face up to the consequences of separation for research in Scotland.”
The Scottish Government said: “Scotland has an unrivalled record of success in attracting research funding, reflecting the excellence and global reputation of our universities, and that will continue with independence. We have more world-class universities per head of population than any other country, and a number of our universities have risen up the international ranking this year – showing the strength of the sector. Our commitment to support our universities and to recognise the impact of their research is acknowledged by the sector.”
A spokesman for Yes Scotland said: “Academics from both sides of the argument have an important contribution to make to the independence debate. A new independent think-tank, Scotland International, which will examine our place in the world, is being launched this week and will set out in an impartial way some defence and security options for Scotland after a Yes vote.”
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