Welcome to DU! The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards. Join the community: Create a free account Support DU (and get rid of ads!): Become a Star Member Latest Breaking News Editorials & Other Articles General Discussion The DU Lounge All Forums Issue Forums Culture Forums Alliance Forums Region Forums Support Forums Help & Search

sheshe2

(98,409 posts)
Wed Jul 2, 2025, 10:33 PM Jul 2025

The first American 'scientific refugees' arrive in France

Aix-Marseille University is wooing researchers who feel targeted by the Trump administration.

MARSEILLE, France — The first American academics fleeing Donald Trump's America for France have arrived.

Aix-Marseille University last week introduced eight U.S.-based researchers who were in the final stage of joining the institution's “Safe Place for Science" program, which aims to woo researchers who have experienced or fear funding cuts under the Trump administration. AMU offers the promise of a brighter future in the sun-drenched Mediterranean port city.

While both France and the European Union have launched multimillion-euro plans to woo researchers across the pond since Trump assumed the U.S. presidency in January, AMU's initiative was the first of its kind in the country — meaning the eight researchers who were welcomed are the first academic refugees planning to trade the United States for France.

Speaking from the university’s hilltop astrophysics lab, AMU President Eric Berton likened the situation to that of European academics who fled persecution by Nazi Germany both before and during World War II.

“What is at play here today is not unrelated to another dark period of our history,” he said.


https://www.politico.eu/article/meet-first-academic-refugees-fleeing-us-france-science-program/?utm_campaign=feed&utm_medium=referral&utm_source=later-linkinbio

We are losing our science.

19 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight: NoneDon't highlight anything 5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies
The first American 'scientific refugees' arrive in France (Original Post) sheshe2 Jul 2025 OP
This makes me so sad. littlemissmartypants Jul 2025 #1
France wins and it is an incredible loss for America. sheshe2 Jul 2025 #2
I'm not doing well either, my friend. Love you. ❤️ littlemissmartypants Jul 2025 #4
I hear you hon. sheshe2 Jul 2025 #9
Stay encouraged,... littlemissmartypants Jul 2025 #11
Between the heat... sheshe2 Jul 2025 #14
You've been busy! And the heat definitely doesn't help. littlemissmartypants Jul 2025 #17
And at least some of the time, and some important ways, he is winning. Sucha NastyWoman Jul 2025 #12
I get it. murielm99 Jul 2025 #18
There was a poll done in April 2025 by the International Science Journal that reported Bev54 Jul 2025 #3
I'm a retired scientist. I would leave if still doing research. littlemissmartypants Jul 2025 #5
I hope they all go. sheshe2 Jul 2025 #7
Looks like we are around March 1933 in the Nazification of America Timeline. LudwigPastorius Jul 2025 #6
Yes. sheshe2 Jul 2025 #10
Somewhere, Vlad Putin is smiling. Martin Eden Jul 2025 #8
FML! William769 Jul 2025 #13
Hey, Bill! sheshe2 Jul 2025 #16
It's all so surreal. Figarosmom Jul 2025 #15
We are being killed by the dumbest people on earth. sheshe2 Jul 2025 #19

sheshe2

(98,409 posts)
2. France wins and it is an incredible loss for America.
Wed Jul 2, 2025, 11:48 PM
Jul 2025

I am at a breaking point and am not sure how much more of this that I can stand.

sheshe2

(98,409 posts)
9. I hear you hon.
Thu Jul 3, 2025, 12:10 AM
Jul 2025

The past few days... I am sinking into a dark place.

I don't see an end to corruption, brutality and lawlessness.

littlemissmartypants

(34,320 posts)
11. Stay encouraged,...
Thu Jul 3, 2025, 12:17 AM
Jul 2025

She².

I'm trying to distract myself but I'm not eating well and losing weight. Never good. We have to stay healthy to stay in the fight.

sheshe2

(98,409 posts)
14. Between the heat...
Thu Jul 3, 2025, 12:26 AM
Jul 2025

Taking care of two houses while my sister was away and depressed, my weight is dropping.

Sucha NastyWoman

(3,023 posts)
12. And at least some of the time, and some important ways, he is winning.
Thu Jul 3, 2025, 12:21 AM
Jul 2025

It goes against justice. Whay good is any god if they can’t give us justice.

Bev54

(13,514 posts)
3. There was a poll done in April 2025 by the International Science Journal that reported
Wed Jul 2, 2025, 11:48 PM
Jul 2025

75% of Scientists in the US were considering leaving. I wonder how many have already gone or are in the process.

sheshe2

(98,409 posts)
7. I hope they all go.
Wed Jul 2, 2025, 11:57 PM
Jul 2025

The world needs them and we no longer deserve them.

We can still benefit from their research if we are rich and powerful, however the rest of us will be left to rot and die,

sheshe2

(98,409 posts)
16. Hey, Bill!
Thu Jul 3, 2025, 12:33 AM
Jul 2025

Yup, our loss is a gain for France and the world.

I wonder if the orange man will allow us the benefit of their research...........nah, not. Who am I kidding.

Figarosmom

(13,301 posts)
15. It's all so surreal.
Thu Jul 3, 2025, 12:31 AM
Jul 2025

I look at Trump in the 8s and 90s and what a loser he was and I just shake my head.. How did this happen?

Latest Discussions»General Discussion»The first American 'scien...