For science and peace

I am a professional scientist, working in the field of theoretical particle physics and cosmology.

I always believed science could go beyond the various conflicts happening on the planet, and help to contribute to peace. I have correspondingly worked with colleagues from all over the world during my career, and discussed with humans of many different origins. This has always be personally interesting and constructive.

Unfortunately, this naturally brought me to a certain level of inaction relative to any of the on-going conflicts in the world. This should however not be taken as an excuse not to change. The currently on-going attack of Russia against Ukraine is my trigger for a change (maybe because this is happening quite close to where I live).

As a scientist, I decided today to stop all collaborations with any scientist working for a Russian institute. Additionally, I decided to refuse to write any referee report on any scientific manuscript or project in which Russian institutes are involved.

This is what I can personally do at my level. While it is clear that this won’t change anything to the current situation, I would like to believe (maybe I am too naive) that if many scientists from all over the world do the same, at some point the Russian Academy of Science will bring it back to Putin.

Arts, sports, science and more all together may eventually force Putin to account for it.

I would like to mention that this decision was not an easy one to take, as most Russian scientists I know and those I have worked with are friends and against Putin (see for instance this open letter of Russian scientists and science journalists against the war). I will thus continue to have good relations with my Russian colleagues privately. The situation at the institutional and public level is however a different one, and motivated my decision.

I still wish to promote scientific collaboration across the world as a driver for peace, to re-use CERN’s words. However, at some point public statements and decisions must be taken. Mine is done, on Hive.

All my thoughts are with the people of Ukraine, as well with those in Russia who openly raised their disagreement and now suffer from this. Together we are stronger.