As an organisation formed by, and for, scientists, EGU aims to foster an inclusive research environment in which all members of the Earth, planetary and space science community have equal opportunities. This is an essential part of science research, as science is a collaborative global enterprise that depends upon the open sharing of information, data and ideas across international boundaries. However, for many researchers, unforeseen catastrophes can have a devastating impact on their lives, from those caused by climate change or other natural hazards, to war and conflict. Although the necessary first focus of people affected by these situations is survival, and often evacuation, these events are also intensely disruptive to their research and scientific careers. As a response to these crises, EGU’s volunteer Council has voted to institute a new Emergency Support policy that will unlock funding and logistical support on an unprecedented global scale.

Throughout EGU’s history, our members have chosen to prioritise supporting greater and more diverse access to scientific opportunities. In light of the current global situation, with so many people around the world experiencing hardship and deprivation, the EGU Council has now created the Emergency Support policy for researchers in crisis or conflict regions, in the hope that EGU can, in an albeit limited way, expand the assistance provided to researchers affected by such tragic events, regardless of their geographical location. 

This new support structure will provide access to waivers for publications, membership and registration for the General Assembly to anyone who is affected by an emergency, as defined by the UNHCR emergency declarations protocol. Full details of the support provided, and how to access it, can be found on the EGU’s Emergency support page of our website. In addition to emergencies declared by the UNHCR, which automatically qualify for support, the EGU Council can also vote for nations, regions or communities to be added to our support list. During the recent EGU Council meeting, a vote was passed to include Palestinian scientists, who are not currently listed on the UNHCR website, in the EGU Emergency Support scheme.

EGU’s President, Peter van der Beek said, “It has always been EGU’s goal to broaden access to scientific opportunities for all, regardless of the many complex and interconnected challenges we face in the modern world. This new policy is a clear and transparent mechanism to provide support to those affected by disasters. We are also keenly aware that science cannot thrive in the face of war and oppression, and by instituting this new policy, we are taking steps to more directly assist those living through these extreme situations. By supporting those affected and displaced by emergency situations with greater access to the traditional tools and opportunities of a scientific society, EGU hopes to help prioritise discovery, community and innovation.”

The recent increase in conflicts, disasters and crises around the world, from Palestine to Ukraine, Sudan to Haiti, serve as a stark reminder of the value of safe and equitable access to education, and how critical that access is to a robust and purposeful global scientific community. To share the words of EGU’s members: violence and war are fundamentally at odds with the advancement of science. In order to emphasise the importance of research, including finding solutions to the current and escalating climate crisis, EGU affirms that all individuals around the world must be free and secure to spend time on education, research, and communication, instead of basic survival.

Full details of the policy, which is live and accessible as of this announcement, are available here. For further assistance please contact emergency-support@egu.eu.

The European Geosciences Union (EGU) is Europe’s premier geosciences union, dedicated to the pursuit of excellence in the Earth, planetary, and space sciences for the benefit of humanity, worldwide. It is a non-profit interdisciplinary learned association of scientists founded in 2002 with headquarters in Munich, Germany. The EGU publishes a number of diverse scientific journals that use an innovative open access format and organises topical meetings plus education and outreach activities. Its annual General Assembly is the largest and most prominent European geosciences event, attracting more than 18,000 scientists from all over the world. The meeting’s sessions cover a wide range of topics, including volcanology, planetary exploration, the Earth’s internal structure and atmosphere, climate, energy, and resources.