Science: Economics recommends recruiting US top researchers

In view of financial incisions in research in the United States under President Donald Trump, Ulrike Malmendier is calling for top researchers from there for Germany. Trump “triggered great concern about scientific freedom and reliable financial support,” said the economy professor at the University of California to the newspapers of the Funke Mediengruppe. “Development in the United States is a huge opportunity for Germany and Europe. I know that a lot of people are thinking about going away.”

Malmendier made a comparison to the times of National Socialism: “I feel reminded of the 1930s in which Germany was leading in essential research areas. Then many scientists flew from the Nazis. That was the beginning of the rise of the USA as a science. Now we can reverse.”

In the research conditions, German universities were not so easy with US elite universities, the professor admitted. “But now is the moment to fundamentally change the situation and build something big.” Many colleagues in the United States suffered from the cuts in financial support.

Malmendier demanded massive investments in Germany. “Where we are already strong – such as artificial intelligence, biosciences or air conditioning technology – research focuses on research,” she said. “With such an initiative, you could attract the attention of the best researchers and shift the weight to Europe.”

When asked whether Trump wanted to remove free science, the economist replied: “I am afraid – especially when it comes to diversity and equality. The effects on science and business are devastating.”