Fellows at the UK’s Royal Society have raised the alarm about US research funding cuts and misinformation at an extraordinary meeting held after the national science academy faced calls to expel technology billionaire Elon Musk.
The society has vowed to look at action that will help “make the case for science”, after Monday night’s gathering in London highlighted the turmoil since Musk’s so-called Department of Government Efficiency (Doge) began to slash spending at US health and research institutions.
Musk’s Royal Society fellowship has become an increasing source of conflict due to contentious statements on his social media platform X and his close alliance with President Donald Trump. Some prominent scientists have called for his expulsion.