Policy
The macro-problem of microplastics
By Matt Turley AMRSB, NERC-funded PhD student at the University of Brighton and policy intern at the Royal Society of Biology The presence of plastics, particularly microplastics, in the environment has received increasing attention in recent years, with the UK government launching an inquiry last month (closing 15 April). Microplastics are particles of plastic smaller … Continue reading
People with disabilities in STEMM: challenges and future directions
By Gabriele Butkute, science policy assistant at the Royal Society of Biology I recently attended the Future directions in STEMM for people with disabilities conference, organised by the STEMM Disability Advisory Committee (STEMM-DAC) of which the RSB is a member. It taught me a great deal about disability support, compassion and resilience. Disability in the … Continue reading
What is an alternative to impact factors?
Rebecca Nesbit MRSB has put together videos of advice from Nobel Laureates speaking at Nobel Prize Inspiration Initiative events. Impact factors are flawed – we all know that, we all agree. But where do we go from here? They are a simple way to judge a researcher, and this is very welcome if you are comparing lots of applicants for … Continue reading
The ‘EU effect’ on our environment
Opinion piece by Matt Turley AMRSB, NERC-funded PhD student at the University of Brighton and policy intern at the Royal Society of Biology A panel debate held this week by WWF-UK, RSPB and The Wildlife Trusts, following the release of their commissioned report by the Institute for European Environmental Policy, aimed to draw attention to … Continue reading
Young scientists question MPs and Ministers
By Harriet Gliddon, PhD student at Imperial College London The House of Commons Science and Technology Committee and the Royal Society of Biology recently hosted the fifth Voice of the Future event. This is a unique event, where the normal select committee format is reversed, and MPs and civil servants answer the questions of early … Continue reading
Newton’s Apple: bridging the gap between scientists and lawmakers
By Michael Wood, policy intern at the Royal Society of Biology and the Biochemical Society It appears that there is a considerable level of disconnect between those who work in science and those who work in politics, and that until very recently this lack of engagement had not been tackled. For this reason, a group … Continue reading
How safe is pathogen research?
By Michael Wood, policy intern at the Royal Society of Biology and the Biochemical Society Despite extensive vaccinations programmes and improved sanitation, communicable diseases that are caused by pathogens are still responsible for 20% of global deaths. Although an improvement from the figure of 25% in 1990, this still represents 11 million deaths annually which … Continue reading
Coming out in STEM
by Gabriele Butkute, science policy assistant at the Royal Society of Biology and the Biochemical Society. “I don’t mind people who are gay; I just don’t want that flaunted in my face”. That’s what Fran Cowling, one of the panel members at The Royal Society’s event, Out in STEM was once told. While unfortunately similar … Continue reading
Society welcomes transparent data as first step in widening university participation
By Dan Rowson AMRSB, education policy officer at the Royal Society of Biology The Government has announced that universities will be required to publish statistical data on applications, admissions and retention by gender, class and ethnic background. The Royal Society of Biology welcomes this development after expressing the need for full transparency of university data … Continue reading