In an acrimonious and lengthy campaign, in which each side seems to dispute any and all facts given by their opponents, the position of the scientific establishment on the EU is remarkably cohesive. The vast majority of academics and Vice-Chancellors support remaining in the EU, with more than 150 Royal Society fellows signing a letter which suggests a “disaster for UK science” in the event of a Leave vote.

Why, though, does science matter? I would argue that investment in science is one of the few areas which guarantees a payback, not just through investment to create skilled jobs, but also in long-term benefits from innovation. Whether this comes in the form of developing new cancer treatments or smart materials, the benefits from science investment will always flow through a nation’s economy.

Science is also a more clear-cut case as it is one of the sectors in which the UK attracts more funding from Brussels than it puts in. Cambridge, Oxford, UCL and Imperial are the four institutions which gain the most from EU research funding. It is not just limited to the elite institutions, however, as 85 per cent of UK Higher Education institutions receive some degree of EU funding. And while Brexiteers argue that money saved in total net contributions could go towards plugging this funding shortfall, this does not take into account the whole picture.

Due to the collaborative nature of scientific research, attracting scientific talent is a key aspect of an institution’s strength. Free movement through Europe clearly aids this. Furthermore, and perhaps more significantly, having a centralised funding body confers a number of benefits. It prevents duplication of research throughout Europe, leading to faster progress.

It means that international collaborations are more likely to be funded than if individual national interests were behind project funding, leading to more diverse research projects. Finally, in the case of science, the European project allows for less bureaucracy than we would have in the event of Brexit, as the mechanisms for obtaining funding are centralised and simplified.

There is also a case to be made for pride in the European institutions of science. The work done at the European Organization for Nuclear Research is considered world-leading, and it has become so through the strength of a joint European project. The place which British science holds in this is particularly strong – it is one of the areas in which we as a nation can be considered world-leading – and this is because of our European connections.

Science is one of our greatest bridge-building activities – the history of space travel, and the iconic photos of American and Russian spacemen together are a fantastic example of this – and science is strengthened when countries can work together. Science is an activity which really does benefit all of society in both the short and long term, and it is clearly stronger in the EU.