However, while some scholars welcome the flood of Western support for Ukrainian scientists, they believe that avoiding all Russian scientists can be counterproductive.
“Cut off all interactions with Russian scientists has the benefits of the West and the world, including the rapid progress of global science and technology-related challenges and the maintenance of cross-border non-idealistic communication. It will be a serious setback to values. We oppose ideological stereotyping and indiscriminate persecution. “ Scientists from the United States, Canada and the United Kingdom.
John Holdren, a professor of environmental science and policy research at the Harvard Kennedy School and a scientific adviser to former U.S. President Barack Obama, is one of the authors and of the steps taken to punish the Russian President. He said he wanted to make sure it was balanced. Vladimir Putin and his administration.
“I attach great importance to cooperation in science and technology. My colleague and I, who wrote the letter together, said that what was going on was the massive demonization and isolation of Russian scientists. I was surprised at the report, “Holdren said.
“Deep regret”
Clarivate, a science publisher, said in early March that it had suspended all commercial activities in Russia and closed its offices. Its influential Web of Science publication database does not include new journals based in Russia or Belarus that support Russia. The database tracks citations (an important criterion of scientific success) that help scientists get attention.
“This measure is a refusal of the Russian government’s actions in Ukraine. With great respect for the Russian people and deep gratitude for the contributions of many extraordinary Russian colleagues with whom we have cooperated. Expresses deep regret. “
Nature, a leading publisher of British scientific journals, says that it wants to boycott all Russian research comprehensively and globally, and that scientific journals refuse to review articles by Russian researchers. I understand. ” Consider manuscripts from all over the world.
“It is because at this time we believe that such a boycott is more harmful than good. It divides the world’s research community and limits the exchange of academic knowledge, both for health and well-being. May cause damage. Of humankind and the planet. “
NASA says it is working closely with the Russian space agency on the International Space Station, despite growing political tensions. On Wednesday, NASA astronaut Mark Vande Hei will return to Earth with Russian astronauts Anton Shkaplerov and Pyotr Dubrov.
Possible long-term impact
Science has long been a cross-border effort, and many Russian scientists have close ties with American and European scientists.
Russian professor Mikhail Gelfand, who studies comparative genomics and molecular evolution, is one of them, saying that his day-to-day work has not been affected so far, but he has some of his experiments. But International sanctions made it difficult to obtain some laboratory supplies, which led to a deadlock.
He also said he spends more time writing testimonials for colleagues and students leaving Russia.
A complete boycott of Russian scientists and institutions would be unfair, he said. People who oppose the war. “
In a letter to science, Holdren and his colleagues said that intergovernmental cooperation was “naturally pending”, but “all involvement with Russian scientists should not be. I emphasized. Scientific efforts were particularly important, Holdren said.
“Sure, these Russians should not be grouped together with the leaders of the Russian state, rather because they face isolation from their western colleagues when their visas and passports expire. Humanitarian preparations should be made to ensure that they are not deported to Russia, perhaps persecution. “
“The decisions made in Western countries today on how to deal with Russia and the Russians have been made for a long time and may eventually be difficult to revoke. All about the future of Russian scientists and Russian academic institutions. I sincerely hope that the decision will reflect a balanced evaluation. “
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