Tagged With: science policy
Science must be a key priority for the next Government
By Dr Laura Bellingan FSB, director of science policy at the Society of Biology Election Day 2015 is almost upon us. While it is interesting to contemplate the tangled bank of possible outcomes beginning with the simple casting of a single vote (many times over) even Darwin might not bet on the endless forms of … Continue reading
Securing the future of our natural capital: a 25 year strategy
Written by Ben Connor, policy officer at the British Ecological Society. This piece was originally posted on the BES blog. A comprehensive 25-year strategy to protect and enhance England’s natural capital is required if the Government is to meet its commitment for this generation to be the first to leave the natural environment in a … Continue reading
Autumn Statement promises bright future for UK science
By Dr Supatra Marsh, BBSRC Policy Fellow at the Society of Biology The Chancellor George Osborne’s announcements for science in the Autumn Statement this week included investment in science in the North of the country, new student loans for postgraduate Masters degrees, and Britain taking a lead role in Europe’s ExoMars mission. George Osborne said … Continue reading
Facilitation: art or science?
Dorothy Nesbit is the founder of Learning for Life Consulting Ltd. and will be running a one-day introduction to facilitation for the Society of Biology on Friday 26th September. Working in the field of science policy, you may know how hard it is to help scientists agree policy. Sometimes, for example, you’re not an expert on … Continue reading
Publish or perish: Is the peer review process fit for purpose?
Francesca Soutter, BBSRC policy intern at the Society of Biology and PhD student at the RVC, has been following the often heated discussions around the future of publishing. The peer review process is often considered as a pillar-stone of excellent science. However, the process first introduced in the 1700s has come under increasing scrutiny with … Continue reading
The benefits of an internship
Anna Tiley, a previous communications and policy intern at the Society of Biology, provides an insight into the highlights from her three month placement. The opportunity to do a professional internship for PhD students (PIPS) placement at the Society of Biology has been, without a doubt, one of the best parts of my BBSRC-funded PhD … Continue reading
Having a heart to heart
Francesca Soutter, policy intern at the Society of Biology, writes about her experience of a recent Parliament evidence session on blood, tissue and organ screening. Is the British stiff upper lip preventing us from discussing our wishes with our nearest and dearest should the worst happen? Organ donation rates in the UK are lagging behind … Continue reading
How does science get into policy?
Daija Angeli, project officer at the Natural Capital Initiative, reflects on the British Ecological Society (BES) Policy Training Day she attended last week. How can scientists and researchers effectively engage with policy and decision makers and how do they best communicate science to these audiences? The British Ecological Society (BES) Policy Training Day offered answers to … Continue reading
A precautionary tale
Ahead of the Society of Biology’s next Policy Lates event on the precautionary principle, Tracey Brown of Sense About Science gives her view on some of the issues surrounding the principle and its application. What would you say if I suggested farmers start using a compound that could mess with your hormones in order to … Continue reading
How do we value our natural capital?
Daija Angeli, project officer for the Society of Biology’s special interest group the Natural Capital Initiative, attended a meeting of the Parliamentary and Scientific Committee on the valuation of natural capital on 25th February 2014. Here is what she learned: How do we value our nature? The concept of natural capital is often used to … Continue reading