– 2024 SRUK/CERU Brexit Survey Released on Europe Day: The Society of Spanish Researchers in the UK (SRUK/CERU) has released its seventh Brexit Survey, with the publication date coinciding with Europe Day, emphasising the ongoing impact of Brexit on EU-UK scientific collaborations.
– Significant Impact of Brexit on Spanish Researchers: The survey indicates that 80% of Spanish researchers in the UK felt affected by Brexit, with key areas of concern including mobility, bureaucracy, the economy, and the cost of living.
– Brexit’s Influence on Researchers’ Decisions to Leave the UK: According to the survey, 26% of current Spanish researchers in the UK are considering leaving within the next year, with 74% of them citing Brexit as a contributing factor, highlighting a talent drain that could impact the UK’s research and development landscape.
The Department of Science Policy of the Society of Spanish Researchers in the UK (SRUK/CERU) has released the results of its seventh Brexit Survey (link). The survey, conducted in April this year, gathered responses from 100 participants, offering insights into the effects of Brexit on the personal and professional lives of Spanish researchers and scientists who lived or used to live in the UK. This study is a part of the constant monitoring of the effects of Brexit in the scientific community that SRUK/CERU has been carrying out, comprising a series of 7 surveys from 2017. The findings are particularly relevant to the broader European context, with the survey’s release scheduled for Europe Day, a symbolic date that highlights the ongoing impact of Brexit on the EU-UK scientific collaborations.
This survey’s edition aims to analyse the post-Brexit landscape from a temporally extended perspective, especially now that Brexit has officially happened, with the transition period concluded and negotiations finalised. The results show that Brexit still appears to be an important cause of concern in the community of Spanish researchers in the UK, with mobility, bureaucracy, the economy, and the cost of living being the areas of special concern.
Dr Igor Arrieta, Coordinator of the survey and Co-Head of Science Policy at SRUK/CERU, commented: “The latest immigration policies by the British government are having a significant impact, and we believe they could further complicate the lives and careers of Spanish researchers in the UK. We find it particularly concerning that a significant number of respondents are considering leaving the UK citing Brexit as a factor in their decision. In addition, according to the HESA, in recent years there has been a slowdown in the number of Spanish students and researchers coming to the UK. This disbalance between those leaving and coming may lead to a talent drain with potentially serious consequences for the country’s research and development landscape”.
Arrieta added, “We hope that the findings in this year’s survey will not only benefit the community of Spanish researchers in the UK but also contribute to the broader conversation on the evolving relationship between the UK and the European Union”.
Ms Irene Echeverría Altuna, president of SRUK/CERU, stated: “Across seven surveys, SRUK/CERU has developed an informed perspective on the evolving effects of Brexit on its membership. These results are in line with the observed decrease of Spanish researchers coming to the UK, as well other EU nationals. In this context, it is important to facilitate EU-UK mobility and research collaborations. With this aim, SRUK/CERU has joined forces with other EU research diaspora associations and is leading the EU-funded, CONNECTS-UK project which launched last month and aims to bring together the community of EU researchers in the UK.”
– Overall Impact: A large majority (80%) of respondents were affected or considerably affected by Brexit. Of these, 46% felt considerably affected, 34% were affected, and 19% were somewhat affected.
– Areas of Major Concern: The British economy, changes in the rights of European residents, bureaucracy and cost of living, and academic fees emerged as the areas with the most significant negative impacts.
– Reluctance to Return: Of those who had already left the UK, 90% indicated it was unlikely or very unlikely they would return in the future. Additionally, 26% of current UK-based respondents are considering leaving within the next year, with 74% citing Brexit as a contributing factor.
– Perceptions of Attractiveness: An overwhelming majority (91%) of the respondents found the UK less attractive in 2024 compared to when they first arrived in the country. Those who had lived in the UK longer found it less appealing, with the most significant reasons being immigration policies, political and economic instability, and reduced access to public services.
– Research Ecosystem: Participants also found the UK’s research ecosystem less attractive in 2024 compared to when they first arrived in the country, although the intensity of this negative perception was lower than in the broader context. Factors influencing this perception included salary conditions, career progression opportunities, and access to research funding.
– Immigration Policy Concerns: Upcoming changes to the British government’s immigration policies raised significant concern among respondents. The increase in the Immigration Health Surcharge from £624 to £1,035 was particularly worrisome, as was the increase in the minimum salary for the Skilled Worker Visa from £26,200 to £38,700.
