York academic given behind-the-scenes view of Westminster
Posted on 29 October 2012
The scheme pairs some of the country’s top scientists with MPs and civil servants, giving scientists an opportunity to see how they can help influence policy.
This is an exciting opportunity to get a behind the scenes look at the development of science policy in the UK
Professor Jon Timmis
Under the scheme, Professor Jon Timmis, from the University’s Departments of Computer Science and Electronics, is paired with civil servant Professor Petra Oyston from the Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (Dstl) in Salisbury.
The pairing scheme begins with a “Week in Westminster” from Monday, 29 October - a programme of activities for scientists, which includes seminars, workshops, shadowing opportunities and a tour of Westminster.
Professor Timmis will attend a House of Commons Science and Technology Committee meeting, Prime Minister’s Question Time and meet Professor Sir John Beddington, Government Chief Scientific Advisor. He will also visit the Defence Science and Technology Laboratory with his ‘pair’ Professor Oyston to learn more about her work.
The Week in Westminster aims to give scientists a taste not only of the approach to science policy but of Parliament and the Civil Service in general.
Professor Timmis said: “This is an exciting opportunity to get a behind the scenes look at the development of science policy in the UK. I am looking forward to offering a reciprocal visit where we can showcase the work being undertaken at York."
Professor Oyston said: “The pairing scheme provides a wonderful opportunity for civil servants and academics to share experiences and understand the issues we each face. I look forward to showing Professor Timmis the breadth of work we carry out at Dstl and learning about the research he is currently involved in.”
The Royal Society’s MP Scientist pairing scheme aims to build bridges between parliamentarians, civil servants and some of the best scientists in the UK. It is an opportunity for MPs and civil servants to become better informed about science issues and for scientists to understand how they can influence science policy. Over 200 pairs of scientists and MPs/civil servants have taken part in the scheme since it was launched in 2001.
Sir Paul Nurse, President of the Royal Society, said: “We live in a world facing increasing challenges that can only be addressed with a clear understanding of science. From climate change to influenza outbreaks, GM food to nuclear power, our MPs have to make decisions about complex issues that will affect the lives of all those in the UK and, in many cases, more widely throughout the world.
“This means that MPs, civil servants and scientists have a responsibility to engage with each other to get the best possible scientific advice into public policy making. We set up the Royal Society’s MP Scientist pairing scheme in 2001 to provide the opportunity for MPs and scientists to build long-term relationships with each other and have now organised over two hundred pairings.
“I know many parliamentarians, civil servants and scientists who have gained from the scheme, and the shaping of public policy can only improve over time as these relationships continue to grow.”
Notes to editors:
- The Royal Society is the UK’s national academy of science. Founded in 1660, the Society has three roles, as a provider of independent scientific advice, as a learned Society, and as a funding agency. Its expertise is embodied in the Fellowship, which is made up of the finest scientists from the UK and beyond. Its goals are to:
Invest in future scientific leaders and in innovation
Influence policymaking with the best scientific advice
Invigorate science and mathematics education
Increase access to the best science internationally
Inspire an interest in the joy, wonder and excitement of scientific discovery - For further information please visit royalsociety.org. Follow the Royal Society on Twitter at twitter.com/royalsociety or on Facebook at www.facebook.com/theroyalsociety. For media enquiries contact Alice Henchley or Bill Hartnett, Press and Public Relations, the Royal Society, on 020 7451 2514/2516.
- For more information on the University of York’s Department of Computer Science visit www.cs.york.ac.uk
- For more information on the University of York’s Department of Electronics visit www.york.ac.uk/electronics
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