Policy
Not by good intentions alone
Guest post by Tatyana Novossiolova, a Wellcome Trust doctoral candidate studying the governance of biotechnology in post-communist Russia at the Division of Peace Studies, University of Bradford. The issues raised in Tatyana’s post will be discussed at our ‘Bioscience to Bioweapons’ Policy Lates event next Thursday. In May this year, Science reported the creation of … Continue reading
Is crowdfunding a conundrum?
By Zoe Martin, Education Policy Officer at the Society of Biology Everyone has ideas. I have them every day. Sometimes people think really hard about something and come up with an idea to make that something better. Many of these people are scientists. I am sure most readers are aware it normally takes more than … Continue reading
Diverse initiatives to promote diversity in science, engineering and maths: Part 2
By Paul Richards, BBSRC Policy Fellow at the Society of Biology This post is the second part of a blog signposting some of the various current initiatives aimed at increasing the diversity of people studying and working in STEM, to coincide with today’s Parliamentary Links Day. The first post covered a broad range of diversity … Continue reading
Diverse initiatives to promote diversity in science, engineering and maths: Part 1
By Paul Richards, BBSRC Policy Fellow at the Society of Biology Tomorrow, Parliamentary Links Day will bring together policy makers and representatives from the STEM community for talks and discussions about ‘science and diversity’. The run-up to Links Day presents a timely opportunity to highlight some of the excellent initiatives aimed at promoting greater equality … Continue reading
The misuse of research – join the debate
Malcolm Dando (right), Professor of International Security at the University of Bradford, is Chair of our upcoming Policy Lates debate on research which has the potential to be misuse. People can come to a discussion on the problem of dual-use scientific work with very different perspectives. So there is good reason to expect a lively … Continue reading
The Supreme Court gene patenting decision – sparking questions for the UK?
Guest post by Dr Eva Sharpe, Science Information and Policy Manager at the The Institute of Cancer Research, London The breast cancer susceptibility (BRCA) genes hit the headlines earlier this year with Angelina Jolie’s public announcement of her decision to have a preventative mastectomy after finding that that she was at high risk of breast … Continue reading
Can we trust climate models?
By Rebecca Nesbit, Society of Biology On Friday I attended an extremely interesting discussion at the Cheltenham Science Festival on ‘can we trust climate models?’. Our climate is influenced by a vast number of inputs and feedback loops, from ocean currents to changes in albedo. Based on these complex factors, climate models have to make … Continue reading
For better or worse: the dual use of biology
Guest post by Piers D Millett, Deputy Head of the Implementation Support Unit for the Biological Weapons Convention (BWC) Unfortunately, biology has huge potential to be used as a weapon, most likely by deliberately instigating disease. As yet we have no sure fire way to maximise the benefits of biology whilst minimising any risks. I … Continue reading
Shout louder
Karen Patel, communications assistant at the Society of Biology and organiser of the Science Communication Awards, blogs about the Science is Vital campaign For me growing up in London meant school holidays included a day out to museums and galleries. Hands on activities and enthusiastic explainers made the Science Museum a favourite. Taking part in … Continue reading
Are neonicotinoids distracting us from the bigger picture?
by Rebecca Nesbit, Society of Biology The much awaited vote by EU member states on the potential neonicotinoid ban takes place on Monday. There has been strong environmental lobbying to encourage Environment Minister Owen Patterson to vote in favour of a ban, but to what extent is the fate of bees really hanging on this … Continue reading