EUROPE’S PARTICLE-PHYSICS LAB, CERN, IS PREPARING TO EXPEL HUNDREDS OF RUSSIAN-AFFILIATED SCIENTISTS BY THE END OF NOVEMBER. THE END OF A DECADES-LONG COLLABORATION WITH RUSSIA BEING TRIGGERED BY THE COUNTRY’S INVASION OF UKRAINE IN 2022.
CERN IS BALANCING PRESSURES TO ISOLATE RUSSIA WHILE MAINTAINING A RELATIONSHIP WITH THEIR SCIENTIFIC COMMUNITY.
THE DECISION IS PARTICULARLY COMPLICATED AS CERN WILL MAINTAIN ITS AGREEMENT WITH THE JOINT INSTITUTE FOR NUCLEAR RESEARCH IN RUSSIA. THIS MEANS SCIENTISTS FROM THE INSTITUTE WILL STILL BE INVOLVED IN CERN PROJECTS DESPITE RECEIVING SIGNIFICANT FUNDING FROM THE RUSSIAN GOVERNMENT, WHICH HAS CLOSE MILITARY TIES.
UKRAINIAN SCIENTISTS ARE RAISING CONCERNS ABOUT THIS ONGOING PARTNERSHIP, WARNING THAT RESEARCH COULD BE USED FOR MILITARY PURPOSES DURING THE ONGOING CONFLICT.
THE DEBATE CONTINUES OVER WHETHER SCIENTIFIC ETHICS OR NATIONAL SECURITY SHOULD GUIDE CERN’S FUTURE COLLABORATIONS AS THE NOVEMBER 30TH DEADLINE APPROACHES.
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FOR STRAIGHT ARROW NEWS… I’M LAUREN TAYLOR.