Trump will lose the United States as its efficiency and scientific leadership globally

My grandfather escaped from the Nazi rule, and arrived in the United States in 1941. After the end of the war, he taught international relations at an American university, and I did not meet my grandfather because he died before my birth, but I was affected by him and studied at the university and became a university professor in the field of civil engineering and the environment since 2016.

I moved on the “Maaba” road with opportunities presented to me by America, and I got a university degree and a doctorate. Meanwhile, I got great opportunities to explore the world, first as a trainee with funding from the National Science Corporation in Japan, and as a researcher on the missions program known as “Volibright” in France, but I have always felt that the United States is the perfect habitat for my career. Ultimately, America was a world leader in the field of science and innovation, but this leadership is now catastrophic, as a result of the political decisions taken in the country and that sparked protests.

This month, the federal government began to stop financing for researchers at the University of North Western, and the popularity of US President Donald Trump in opinion polls decreased after widespread fears of inflation, recession fears and commercial wars. This attack was not an isolated event, but rather the last in a series of attacks that forced me to question my firm belief – for a long time – America’s steadfast commitment to scientific progress and innovative leadership.

After joining the University of “North Western”, I was honored by the “National Science Foundation” award, which is a very prominent appreciation for the leadership capabilities in scientific research, but in February the program official who supervised my request was expelled from the National Science Foundation, Karl Rokn, along with thousands of other government employees.

Shortly after his dismissal, Rank told Newsweek: “There is no guarantee that the United States will continue its leadership in scientific innovation, and without innovation, talents and resources will flow naturally to other places.” It seems that this statement was caused by an effective insight that raises concerns.

During the first period of the Trump administration, China’s initiative cast a shadow over global scientific exchange, which was the impression that the United States is no longer an attractive place for foreign researchers. This contributed and other actions to the influx of researchers outside the United States, and closed the door in the face of competencies, and the important talents that the country needs greatly.

Now in the second Trump administration, Trump’s approach appears to be similar to launching a series of policies harmful to American science. The past three months have been marked by a crisis, as the proposed reducing in the budget has caused a sharp decrease in future financing, exposing long -term research projects and professional life to countless scientists, at risk.

Even before freezing scholarships and current contracts at the University of Colombia, on the seventh of last March, many institutions – including my institution in which I work – began to reduce students’ admission. We have now had to cancel some limited offers that we could have made to potential students.

The influence in our universities has become deep. The graduate students are actually considering searching for other opportunities abroad, or giving up their scientific paths completely. As for students who have not yet graduated, they are flying in their options and doing their best to complete their remaining requirements, in anticipation of suddenly canceling their projects, or in the case of international students, they face the risk of permanent deportation.

The aggressive measures against students, the prestigious universities and the Americans who defend them have become the alarm in the scientific community, and everyone can pay attention to that. Indeed, wealthy people, not only academics, began to explore the possibility of citizenship elsewhere, a blatant indication of the decline in confidence in America’s stability and future.

Will my grandfather one day imagine America, whose intellectual and creative strength is undermined, and the talents and competencies that have worked historically to pushing it towards success? Without continuous financing, and the wicked environment that is filled with the participants, the space available to me and many immigrants and their grandchildren from immigrants who worked hard to reach this country. We have made a lot of energy and thinking to build this country. If we have to leave, the loss will be great, and the intellectual, scientific and pioneering capital will be diminished, and the creative spirit that has always distinguished America.

Erika Hartmann*

*Professor of Civil Engineering at North Western University

About “Hill”

. This month, the federal government began to stop financing for researchers at the University of North Western.