Tagged With: science policy
The academic gender gap isn’t going away
Ahead of International Women’s Day, Jess Devonport, marketing and communications officer, and Barbara Knowles, senior science policy advisor at the Society of Biology, discuss the recent report, Women in Scientific Careers. There has been continued conversation over recent years about the gender gap in STEM careers, particularly in academia and senior roles, and if the … Continue reading
Is it time for a sugar tax?
In advance of Voice of the Future 2014, Rebecca Nesbit considers a question she would like to ask MPs The health effects of too much added sugar have been in the news recently, raising questions about whether we should introduce a sugar tax. Recently, Mexico started to tax sugar-sweetened beverages. Recent research suggests that people … Continue reading
Creative Commons Licences: Copyright or Copywrong?
By Michael Walsh, BBSRC Policy Fellow at the Society of Biology, discusses the new Creative Commons licences and the Society’s advice to members. Copyright exists as a form of protection around something which you have created. Most people might immediately think of its relevance in the arts with examples such as literature or film, but … Continue reading
2013 science policy highlights – haymeadows in Transylvania
Laura Bellingan, the Society of Biology’s head of policy, looks back on her trip to Transylvania to visit senior policy advisor Barbara Knowles. Barbara has worked to protect Romanian haymeadows and communicate about science, with her Motor Neurone Disease as no barrier. Looking back over the year a large number of policy relevant stories and … Continue reading
AuthorAID: looking for research mentors
By Catherine Ball, Science Policy Officer at the Biochemical Society and Society of Biology Communication and dissemination of research is a big focus for us at the Society of Biology. Through our work with our Research Dissemination Committee, we champion equitable and sustainable practices in the circulation of research outputs. No small task recently as … Continue reading
Sustainable energy from oil (plant oil that is)
In advance of the Society of Biology’s Policy Lates discussion on algal bioenergy, Rebecca Nesbit looks at some of the hurdles we need to overcome to produce liquid fuel from plants in a more sustainable manner. First generation biofuels are made from starch, sugars, fats and oils, but often come from food plants. This has … Continue reading
It’s all in the …. timing
Jackie Caine, Senior Science Policy Adviser at the Society of Biology, discusses why changes to the length of consultation periods is so important. Back in 2012 the Cabinet Office introduced new principles by which to consult the public and other stakeholders on changes to policy and new legislation. The consultation process is important, as it … Continue reading
The H5N1 influenza controversy: information is power, sharing information is powerful
By Professor Wendy Barclay, Chair in Influenza Virology, Imperial College London. Wendy spoke at last week’s Society of Biology Policy Lates debate on dual-use bioscience. The debate is summarised in a Storify. H5N1 is a worrisome strain of bird flu that currently does not spread between us because of the ‘species barrier’ created by virus-host … Continue reading
Certainly uncertain
By Natasha Neill, Executive Officer at the Society of Biology. At the World Conference of Science Journalists on Thursday 27th June, Sense About Science released their guide Making Sense of Uncertainty, exploring the truth about uncertainty in science, and why it’s not something we should be afraid of.
Sometimes opposites attract: science and security communities can work well together
By Dr Piers Millet, Deputy Head, UN Biological Weapons Convention Implementation Support Unit. Piers will be speaking at this Thursdays’ Policy Lates debate on dual-use bioscience (#policylates). I guess I am living embodiment that the title of this article is true. I trained originally as a microbiologist and am still a Chartered member of the … Continue reading