CERN Expels Hundreds of Russian Scientists

The European Organization for Nuclear Research, known as CERN (Conseil Européen pour la Recherche Nucléaire), which operates the Large Hadron Collider, is planning to expel hundreds of scientists affiliated with Russia from its laboratories, according to Semafor news site.

Following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022, the Geneva-based organisation severed its relationship with Moscow, thereby ending nearly 60 years of collaboration. The agreements are currently expiring.

Although Russia has never been a formal member, it has collaborated closely on nuclear physics.

In July, scientists affiliated with Belarusian institutions had their contracts terminated. In December, any scientists affiliated with Russia will forfeit their residency permits and access.

CERN will, however, continue to retain connections with the Joint Institute for Nuclear Research, an intergovernmental centre located near Moscow. This decision has sparked controversy among certain researchers.

As of September 2023, Russian invaders had murdered at least 143 Ukrainian academicians, according to the Ukrainian portal “My Science,” which lists Ukrainian scientists killed by Russians during the all-out war.

To ensure the safety of the scientific community, the international organizations have decided to cease collaboration with Russian representatives.