Ahead of the vote next Thursday, Cambridge academics and experts give their views on the EU referendum.

Professor Dame Athene Donald, Master of Churchill - IN

Professor Dame Athene Donald has, since 2013, been a member of the Scientific Council of the European Research Council (ERC), which is a public body for the funding of scientific research conducted within the European Union.

How does the ERC make decisions, and do they benefit the UK?

Decisions are not made by [the] council to benefit any particular country. However, because of the UK’s research strengths, the UK does well out of the different funding schemes.

How drastic would the consequences to UK science be if we were to leave the EU?

You only have to look at the figures to realise that loss of access to the ERC funding would have a very significant negative effect on UK science. The UK hosts the highest number (22 per cent of the total) of ERC [meetings].

Professor David Abulafia, Chairman of Historians for Britain - OUT

What needs to change for the EU to be right for the UK? 

The idea of a European Economic Community, a trading zone that is not built on the presumption of [an] ‘ever close union’, has appeal. Unfortunately, that is not on offer. The EU is fundamentally undemocratic. To say that is not to say that it can reach out to its citizens. It is too big and cumbersome. However, reform of the decision-making process is long overdue. Respect needs to be shown for different legal systems. All this suggests that truly radical reform is urgently required.

What do you think a revival in negative attitudes towards Europe shows about the self-understanding of the British people’s identity?

It’s more a question of rejecting excessive interference by the EU than a rejection of Europe as such, with which we need to maintain a relationship, but of a different sort. I don’t think there has been a surge in nationalism in the UK, consisting as we do of four nations.

Dr Julian Huppert, Cambridge’s former MP - IN

Are we better off in the EU?

We are far better off staying in Europe – we’re better off financially, it provides us with opportunities to travel and work overseas, and it’s promoted peace around a once war-torn continent.
It makes us safer and more secure, and makes us better able to tackle environmental challenges. It would be absurd to throw that all away, especially when we have no idea what out looks like.

Why should students vote to remain in the EU?

Students in particular are better off in. You’re more likely to get a job, in the UK or in the rest of the EU if we stay in, and the opportunity to live and work and study elsewhere is hugely beneficial.

All the evidence [shows] that students in particular are strongly pro-EU, but are sadly less likely to vote than older people.

Professor Mary Beard, fellow of Newnham College - IN

What do you think a revival in negative attitudes towards the European Union shows about how Britons perceive themselves?

Blimey. One has to be careful about drawing too many conclusions too quickly. But the sight of xenophobia being whipped up is not pretty.

How does the EU compare with the Roman Empire?

The Roman Empire was not ruled by a united class of Romans, but – by the second century AD at least – by those of diverse origins and backgrounds, sharing Roman citizenship. Much closer to the EU, in fact.

Would Brexit have a large impact on the Faculty of Classics at the university?

Classics is a very European subject. It is hard to predict the effect but it certainly won’t make it easier to foster its European-ness.

Professor Brendan Simms, fellow of Peterhouse and author of Britain’s Europe: A Thousand Years of Conflict and Cooperation – IN

‘Leave’ or ‘Remain’?

I strongly favour a Remain vote on 23rd June, because Brexit will damage the EU as a whole. It will increase separatist tendencies and dispirit elites and populations across the continent.

Does the EU need Britain more than Britain needs the EU? And is the lack of a true political union in Europe a result of a weak European identity?

Undoubtedly. The UK is large and strong enough to survive without EU... That said, if Britain leaves the EU, damages it and it slides into further disorder then that will also damage the UK... And European identity is much stronger than you think – witness the determination of most of continental Europe to stick with the EU, the Euro and the rest of it.
In any case, unions are made not with those we automatically agree with but those with whom we have profound differences but an overriding common interest as well, as with the 1707 Union.

What issues have been ignored in the EU referendum debate?

The issue that I think is too little considered is what both sides, but especially the Brexit side, wants to happen in mainland Europe.

Simply recommending breakup is not acceptable.

The optic is wrong. One must start not with Anglo-European relations, but with the entire continent of Europe itself.