Breach of trust

The treatment of aid-funded R&D could unravel fabric of UK research

The anger over cuts to aid-funded research programmes, like the government’s intransigence over the issue, shows no sign of abating. In the latest salvo, a string of academics—31 so far—have withdrawn as peer reviewers for UK Research and Innovation. 

The academics’ resignation letter, in which they say they “cannot with a clear conscience continue to contribute to a UK research funding system that allows for such a breach of trust”, is not the ranting of a sector scorned. Peppered with regret, it is as considered as it is powerful, and it should sound alarms, from Swindon to Westminster.