What’s going on in the UK: 8-20 September

This week: Vaccine Network delays, book banning, ERC grant share and more

Russian ties

Records show that few Russian scientists have taken up a June offer from then prime minister Boris Johnson to defect to the UK—at least not via the UK’s main R&D funding agency. UK Research and Innovation declined to release exact numbers on Russian scientists applying for endorsement for the Global Talent visa scheme because the numbers were so “small” that releasing them might make people identifiable and endanger their safety. The revelation comes as researchers worry that UK is unwelcoming to Russian professionals amid the war in Ukraine, and despite the former prime minister Boris Johnson issuing an open invitation to Russia’s scientists this summer.