Re: [AUDITORY] Silence from leaders in auditory science

[Emmanuel Ponsot <emmanuel.ponsot@xxxxxxxx>]

Dear colleagues,
 
In this climate of fear and uncertainty, we first want to express our strong support for our American colleagues who are directly or indirectly affected by the current attacks from the U.S. government on scientific freedom.
 
It's certainly worth reaffirming our values as scientists, those that animate us beyond the hearing sciences community. These values are indeed those espoused by the Stand Up for Science movement (https://standupforscience.fr/), to which we lend our full support. They are also the values upheld by democratic nations where science can be conducted freely and without political interference.
At the European level, various initiatives are emerging to provide structured, in-person support and financial assistance for American researchers facing these challenges, which we hope will be implemented quickly. For instance, in France, the universities of Aix-Marseille (https://www.univ-amu.fr/fr/public/actualites/safe-place-science-aix-marseille-universite-prete-accueillir-les-scientifiques), Lyon, and Paris-Sciences & Lettres have already launched the first hosting initiatives, but other European institutions and foundations are expected to come up with new proposals in the coming weeks. 
For those of our community who feel threatened, and find it difficult to continue their research in their home countries amid severe attacks on academic freedom — whether in the United States or other countries facing similar issues — we encourage you to reach out to us in France or to other colleagues at European universities or research institutions not only to explore potential job opportunities but also to discuss any immediate forms of assistance and support that could be provided.
 
Best,

Nicolas Grimault, Mathieu Lavandier, Christian Lorenzi, Olivier Macherey, Sabine Meunier, Emmanuel Ponsot, Léo Varnet