World renowned physicist and author Stephen Hawking has spoken of fears that a gifted academic with a condition as serious as his own, would not be able to flourish in today’s tough economic times.

The 73-year-old − Britain’s highest profile scientist who found fame with a new audience following the release of award-winning film The Theory of Everything − expressed the concerns at an event to celebrate his 50th year as a fellow at the University of Cambridge’s Gonville & Caius College.

He praised the college for supporting him throughout the progression of motor neuron disease, allowing him to focus on his groundbreaking work.

But, speaking before an invited audience at the college, he added: “I wonder whether a young ambitious academic, with my kind of severe condition now, would find the same generosity and support in much of higher education.

“Even with the best goodwill, would the money still be there? I fear not.”

Caius gave me a home, literally and figuratively

Although Hawking did not elaborate on his comments, he has previously raised concerns about cuts to the UK government funding for research budgets.

In a reference to an incident which will be familiar to fans of last year’s hit film, he told how the college chartered a plane to fly him back to the UK after he became ill in Switzerland in the 1980s and doctors asked his wife, Jane, whether life support should be terminated.

“I was then in Addenbrookes Hospital for quite a time, unable to speak or hold anything,” he said.

“During that time my students participated in a rota to keep my mind occupied by reading to me, I was even able to laugh at the funny bits.”

He also explained how part of the college’s West Road site had been adapted to house him and his family − this was where he went on to write his first book, A Brief History of Time.

Hawking said: “Caius gave me a home, literally and figuratively, and is a constant thread running through my life.”

The college’s master, Alan Fersht, said that he was confident the college would offer similar support to modern day academics.

Fersht added: “Stephen questioned whether a young academic in his condition would get the same level of support today?

“For Caius at least, I can say emphatically ‘yes’. The fellowship is a family, just as our students, our staff and our alumni are all parts of the 7485 family.”

He continued: “In 1965, none of us dreamt that we would be here, 50 years on, to celebrate this day. I say none, but I suspect I actually mean ‘all, but one’.”

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