Policy
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
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
Would you like termites with that?
Lauren Hoskin is a recent graduate in microbiology. She is interested in a career in science communication and writes for her own blog, Science Says as well as for the Student Hubs blog. Many problems faced by humans do not have simple answers, especially in the area of food security. How will we feed nine … Continue reading
Bioscience to Biosecurity; the Policy Lates talks
Policy Lates is a discussion series from the Society of Biology‘s policy team, held at our HQ at Charles Darwin House. We bring a panel of experts together for an informal debate on a contemporary science policy topic, with lots of time for audience questions and convivial discussions. In July 2013, Policy Lates looked into … 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
The role of codes of conduct in the amateur biology community
By Dr Catherine Jefferson, freelance consultant on bioweapons policy and researcher at the Department of Social Science, Health and Medicine, King’s College London. Catherine will be a member of the panel at next week’s Society of Biology Policy Lates debate about biosecurity. Codes are established to guide acceptable standards of behaviour and their importance as … Continue reading
“Sorry James, this is not my cup of tea”
Guest post by Dr James Revill, Research Fellow with the Harvard Sussex Program, SPRU, University of Sussex. The issues raised in James’ post will be discussed at our ‘Bioscience to Bioweapons’ Policy Lates event next Thursday, and on Twitter with the hashtag #PolicyLates. The strategic use of disease in warfare has been subject to a long … Continue reading