Science in exile

Background  

More people are forcibly displaced now than at any other time in recorded history. Driven by conflict, persecution, political uncertainty, the effects of climate change and environmental degradation, the number of people forced to flee their homes will likely continue to increase.  

Forced migration affects scientists working in some of the world’s least well-funded science systems, as well as in countries like Iraq, Syria and Ukraine, whose strong science systems have been dramatically affected by conflict. 

Science in Exile is a global platform mobilizing displaced scientists and the scientific community to support scientists re-establishing their work in new countries, and to preserve and encourage future development in regions affected by conflict and other crises. 

Science in Exile is a collaborative effort by the ISC, The World Academy of Sciences for the advancement of science in developing countries and the InterAcademy Partnership. Science in Exile was supported by the Swedish International Cooperation and Development Agency.  

Activities and impact 

The Science in Exile network provides the foundation for a coordinated response when scientists are forcibly displaced.  

The network supports the creation of opportunities to enhance the work and lives of refugee, displaced and at-risk scholars. This allows trained professionals to stay up-to-date in their field and maintain meaningful careers, and to help rebuild their countries when conditions allow, while also providing opportunities to contribute valuable expertise to their host countries and global science. 

Events and meetings:  

• June 2020: Launch of the Science in Exile project, including an awareness-raising campaign for displaced scientists.  
• March – April 2021: Science in Exile strategy and interim governance structure launched during the second stakeholders’ workshop. Read a report from the meeting here. 
• June 2021: As part of the Sustainability & Research Innovation Congress 2021, the Science in Exile project organized a forum for displaced early and mid-career scientists working on socio-environmental sustainability and resilience, to discuss challenges, resilience and how the science community can respond to crises. 
• June – October 2021: Webinars explored key issues and challenges faced by at-risk, displaced and refugee scientists, aiming to support greater solidarity.  
• June 2021: The 2021 TWAS-IsDB Young Refugee and Displaced Scientists Programme for Women was launched. 
• December 2022: Science in Exile presented a panel session at the World Science Forum in Cape Town, South Africa on best practices and global dynamics for at-risk, displaced and refugee scholars.  

Selected publications:  

• September 2021: The ISC premiered a podcast series on the theme ‘Science in Exile’, featuring refugee and displaced scientists sharing their work, personal stories and hopes for the future. 
• December 2022: The ISC produced a follow-up podcast series on the theme ‘Science in Times of Crisis’, which explores how crisis and geopolitical instability affects science and scientists. 
• April 2022: The Science in Exile project published a declaration and call to action, “Supporting at-risk, displaced and refugee scientists”. The declaration outlines six key commitments to support and protect displaced scientists. Watch the launch webinar, and read and sign the Declaration here. 

Get involved  

The ISC continues the Science in Exile work through its succeeding project Science in times of crisis.