Let's stay together: why universities should support the EU

The Eurosceptics say universities would be unaffected, or even improved, by a Brexit. They are wrong, says this vice-chancellor

Many UK universities have voiced support for the country's continued membership of the European Union, ahead of the forthcoming referendum. Their arguments, however, have often focused on the financial benefits to the UK higher education sector, prompting Eurosceptics to deride such a defence as self-serving and overblown.

Of course, the funding the UK receives from Europe for research is important - but money is not the main issue. We also need to consider the kind of research environment that would develop in the EU without our membership.