'Hold your nerve' was the message to his party from Nick Clegg yesterday. Well, this evening patients and their carers held their nerve by standing in front of conference delegates to tell their personal stories of fighting disease and the way research has helped, or could help, them. In fact if you happen to be … Continue reading Science at the Lib Dem conference – patients hold their nerve for research
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Science at the Lib Dem Conference – Life Sciences Breakfast
Policy-making is not immune to trends. The latest seems to be the 'roundtable' meeting. I blame King Arthur myself (well, they say that trends do come round). But I bet he didn't meet his knights at 9 or 8am. This morning AMRC, the BioIndustry Association, Association of British Healthcare Industries and Association of the British … Continue reading Science at the Lib Dem Conference – Life Sciences Breakfast
Science at Lib Dem Conference – Vince Cable @ Royal Society fringe
People often ask what the point of attending the party conferences is. There are many. But perhaps one of the most important is the opportunity to see, hear and talk to politicians in 'conversational' rather than 'messaging mode.' I thought one of those moments came this evening when Vince Cable addressed the Royal Society's reception. Indeed, … Continue reading Science at Lib Dem Conference – Vince Cable @ Royal Society fringe
Science at the Lib Dem Conference
I'm at the Lib Dem Party Conference in Liverpool today and tomorrow. The sky is set fair and the sea is calm and so seems the conference mood by and large. I went to a good fring meeting at lunchtime Chaired by Julian Huppert MP and hosted by the British Heart Foundation (BHF), Diabetes UK … Continue reading Science at the Lib Dem Conference
Charity support for 'a single research regulator'
This afternoon we have published our response to the Academy of Medical Sciences' call for evidence on proposals for a single research regulator. You can find the full text if you click on the 'AMRC Statements' tab at the top of the page or here. Our submission is based on a survey of our members and … Continue reading Charity support for 'a single research regulator'
Venture capitalists weigh in on science funding debate
I spoke at an interesting event last week organised by OneNucleus, a membership organisation which brings together international life science and healthcare companies. The audience was packed with representatives of both large and small companies including many biotechs. It was the day before Vince Cable's speech and much concern about what he would or would not … Continue reading Venture capitalists weigh in on science funding debate
Science in a near miss with Cable but flies on…to Birmingham and China perhaps
I feel I must dedicate this blog to the gentleman who posted an online comment in response to my letter in The Times yesterday, saying it caused him 'metaphor indigestion.' I could almost hear the indefatigable voice of my English teacher, the late Brian Mitchell, behind every word.* So....like the Red Arrows at one of … Continue reading Science in a near miss with Cable but flies on…to Birmingham and China perhaps
Cable and Willetts in show of dual support
I did warn you that things would really get going this week....and with two speeches in as many days you can be forgiven if you feel as if you have taken a left hook and then a right hook in quick succession. Science Minister, David Willetts, was on the stump at a Universities UK conference today. He used … Continue reading Cable and Willetts in show of dual support
Cable reveals his basic instincts on science
Well, I think we can safely say that Vince Cable put the cat amongst the pigeons this morning. Doesn't matter that we all knew the cat was coming, the reaction has been instinctive. And there has been some uncharacteristically unacademic language in response to his blunt message. In fact that is the first thing that struck … Continue reading Cable reveals his basic instincts on science
Vince Cable on Science: a home-spun piece from afar
They say that if you want to see your hometown or nation in a different light you should walk with a stranger who is seeing and experiencing it for the first time. I probably learnt more about England during my spells living abroad than I have in the years before or since. So I was … Continue reading Vince Cable on Science: a home-spun piece from afar
Caps-off to non-EU talent, says AMRC
With parliament returning tomorrow for a two week spell ahead of the party conferences, it would seem that things are springing into life again after a month of self-sedation. Today, we publish our responses to the UK Border Agency and Migration Advisory Committee consultations regarding the proposed cap on non-EU migrants. See here for more. Or … Continue reading Caps-off to non-EU talent, says AMRC
Evan Harris and cuts to science funding
You may be interested in this call to arms by Evan Harris on The Guardian blog today. His essential point is that scientists and their supporters need to focus their attention on HM Treasury from this point onwards. Geoff Brumfiel makes a similar call in his article today also in The Guardian. That is certainly … Continue reading Evan Harris and cuts to science funding
Sunshine, stem cells and policy hypochondria over the NHS
It has been a busy 24 hours in medical research. Beginning with the sunnier side of things, I am sure few of you will have esacaped the wall-to-wall coverage of the study published yesterday showing Vitamin D exerts an influence over certain genes associated with diseases like multiple sclerosis and arthritis. The research is notable for its … Continue reading Sunshine, stem cells and policy hypochondria over the NHS
Further thoughts on a single regulator for research
Mid-summer it might be, but my sense is that the prospect of a single regulator for research continues to be the leading topic of debate around and about the community (after the Comprehensive Spending Review of course). My office brought to my attention this series of comment pieces about a single regulator and its impact … Continue reading Further thoughts on a single regulator for research
Osborne on economic growth
Various reports are flashing across the wires right now concerning the Chancellor of the Exchequer, George Osborne's, speech at Bloomberg's offices in London today. The following is from BBC News. You can read the full text on the HM Treasury website here. Which begs the question why it takes the Department of Health … Continue reading Osborne on economic growth
The 'new' philanthropy and medical research
Last night I was contemplating how to make the remaining half of my net-worth last for the rest of the month, when thoughts inevitably turned to the announcement by 30 US billionaires last week that they intend to give at least half their wealth to charitable causes. The charge of the billionaires is being led … Continue reading The 'new' philanthropy and medical research
Research and democracy
The best kept secret in London during August is London itself. With what seems like millions of Londoners and commuters away on holiday, the streets are clear, the buses and trains are sitting-room only, and you can find a parking space with relative ease. The city becomes just that little bit more civilised for four … Continue reading Research and democracy
A new research regulator – Academy calls for evidence
On the train home tonight when an email came through announcing a second call for evidence by the Academy of Medical Sciences as part of its independent review of medical research regulation. This call for evidence focuses on the Department of Health review of arms-length bodies and particularly the pros and cons of a new research … Continue reading A new research regulator – Academy calls for evidence
Root and branch research
It felt as if my summer started early this year. Two weeks ago in fact. With a short trip to Harpenden in Hertfordshire. Muggy sunshine mixed with heavy, sheet-metal-like rain showers as I took the train ride north of London. It felt good to be leaving the city for a change. The reason for my … Continue reading Root and branch research
NIHR summer reading
For those of you at a complete loss about what to take on the beach with you in terms of reading matter, can I suggest the NIHR Annual Report which came out last week? Note the very strong message on public and patient involvement in research in the Minister, Earl Howe's, foreword which is then carried … Continue reading NIHR summer reading
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