The links between convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein and the scientific community (see Nature 650, 529–530 (2026) and Nature https://doi.org/qtkn; 2026) stem from a variety of factors, some personal, some structural. Access Nature and 54 other Nature Portfolio journals Get Nature+, our best-value online-access subscription $32.99 / 30 days cancel any time Subscribe to this journal Receive 51 print issues and online access $199.00 per year only $3.90 per issue Rent or buy this article Prices vary by article type from$1.95 to$39.95 Prices may be subject to local taxes which are calculated during checkout Nature 651, 550 (2026) doi: https://doi.org/10.1038/d41586-026-00777-5 The authors declare no competing interests.…