Science under threat: Nobel Committee head warns that pressure on free research is growing

Hanna Stjärne, Head of the Nobel Committee, expressed concern over the intensification of official US repression against leading research agencies and funding cuts amid political relations. This is reported by UNN with reference to the Financial Times.

Details

An American movement called "Stand Up for Science" is protesting against planned funding cuts and the suppression of some research in areas such as diversity, climate change, and vaccines. However, for example, Trump chose Robert Kennedy Jr., a vaccine skeptic, as Secretary of Health.

Nobel Prizes have long been on the American president's radar because he is disappointed that he did not receive the Peace Prize, like his predecessor Barack Obama. Although the American president considers himself worthy of it.

In February, Trump said he deserved the award for his work on ending the war in Gaza, but added that he didn't think the awards committee would ever give it to him. National Security Advisor Mike Waltz separately predicted that his boss would win, particularly for his efforts to end the conflict in Ukraine.

Reference

The Nobel Prizes in Medicine or Physiology, Physics, and Chemistry account for half of the awards each year, with others awarded for Economics, Literature, and Peace. Only individuals who meet certain criteria, such as membership in national governments or legislatures, can be candidates for the Nobel Peace Prize. The award committee announced that it had received 338 nominations for this year's award by the January 31 deadline, although the names remain confidential.

Position of the Nobel Foundation

The annual Nobel Prizes must "uphold" scientific learning and free inquiry in an era when both are under increasing threat

Asked if she feared a new transatlantic dispute if Trump did not take home the award this time when it is announced by the Norwegian Nobel Committee in October, Stjärne replied:

There are so many people who want Nobel Prizes. If you look in my inbox, you will find suggestions - many suggestions - every day

The broader Nobel Prizes this year are likely to be watched more closely than usual, as they may be seen as an addition to current political trends.

The prizes, founded by dynamite inventor Alfred Nobel, should embody "freedom of thought" and "the ability of scientists to work freely without restrictions"

Recall

Earlier, UNN wrote that the Trump administration is considering cutting NASA's science budget by up to 50%. Such changes could lead to the termination of important missions and the loss of US leadership in the space industry.