The annual meeting of the American Association for the Advancement of Science in Boston has highlighted the growing concerns among scientists about funding cuts and federal layoffs under the Trump administration.
Scientists gathered at the conference to commiserate and strategize on how to counter the impact of reduced funding, which is expected to affect their work significantly. The discussion also touched on broader threats to humanity, including artificial intelligence, toxic chemicals, and the eventual end of the universe.
The mood at the conference was somber, with many feeling “angst and anxiety” due to news about layoffs at government agencies reaching them via phone notifications. Sudip Parikh, president of the American Association for the Advancement of Science, described the sentiment as a mix of emotions, including grief, over the potential loss of their work force and funding.
The federal scientific workforce is expected to be severely impacted by the Trump administration’s policies, with billions of dollars in research funding being cut back at universities. Scientists are now looking for ways to adapt and resist these cuts, despite the uncertainty and fear surrounding their future.
Source: https://www.nytimes.com/2025/02/16/climate/trump-science-funding-cuts.html