Statement from the Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine following the referendum results on 24th June.

Following the results of the recent EU referendum, we would like to take the opportunity to share some further information with you.

Despite the enormity of the decision for the United Kingdom to leave the European Union a lot remains very unclear. We fully understand the anxiety and confusion many of you might feel about the implications of this outcome. This is shared not only by our current staff and students and their families but also for the wider Higher Education sector, which also includes donors and regulators. 

We can assure you that Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine is, was and will remain a higher education institution that embraces its staff and students’ diversity wherever they come from. We have done so for almost 118 years now and will continue to do so in the years to come when we welcome future colleagues and students who will be selected on their academic credentials and potential rather than their place of origin. In addition, our academic relations; donor base; business partnerships and government contacts are truly global and this will not change.

How this referendum outcome will affect EU nationals; EU grants and partnerships with EU agencies and institutions is very unclear. As you know the current political climate is very volatile and it is up to a new Prime Minister to start negotiations with the EU about the UK’s departure. It is anticipated that negotiations will take at least two years. During that period it is foreseen that there will be: 

-          No change to the immigration status of EU staff employed by LSTM

-          No change to the immigration status of EU students currently studying, or planning to study with LSTM in 2016-2017

-          No change in fee status for EU students currently studying, or planning to study with LSTM in 2016-2017

-          No change in existing EU grants or collaborative projects with other EU (academic) institutions. 

LSTM will continue to be an international organisation that works with institutions and scientists from across Europe and the world. We will strive for the best possible outcomes in the medium and long-term, once government negotiations with the EU start, there might be a prolonged period of uncertainty, but we will do our best to keep you informed of the impact negotiations might have on a regular basis. 

Should you have any concerns, or want to talk about your own situation please e-mail mylstm@lstmed.ac.uk and a member of the Education team will contact you. 

We value immensely the contribution and commitment of all LSTM’s staff and students in fulfilling our mission of saving lives in disease endemic countries.