Poaching of UK-based academics is ‘very real’

Uncertainty over the UK immigration rules is having a catastrophic impact on UK universities, with many researchers taking up jobs in institutions overseas, a parliamentary committee has heard.

European Union nationals who have worked for decades at UK universities were being “made to feel incredibly unwelcome”, Rachel Sandison, vice-principal of external relations at the University of Glasgow, told the House of Commons Scottish Affairs Committee on 12 February. She added that some were “really seriously looking at opportunities elsewhere”.

“They are unclear about immigration, they don’t know what it will mean to their families and any dependents that they have. This is actually having quite a catastrophic impact on our EU communities,” Sandison said.