Global warming was not high on the Victorians' agenda as anyone who attends a summer event in parliament will attest. But the heat is usually a good sign that your event is packed and the conversation flowing. So it was with yesterday's excellent All-Party Parliamentary Group on Medical Research summer reception. The show of strength … Continue reading Science besieges the castle with evidence: to what impact?
UK Government
Resources on public engagement and research funding
A lull in the general hurly burly allows me to post a few resources that might be of interest. Research Information Network (RIN) have published a useful introduction to Government and research policy in the UK including a natty little chart showing all the links and relationships between different parts of the system. Research Councils … Continue reading Resources on public engagement and research funding
Comprehensive Spending Review (CSR)
I originally intended this to be a politics free blog for once. But such is life. Today we put in our submission on the Comprehensive Spending Review (CSR) which you can find on our website. I see there was some coverage of the Royal Society's own submission in this morning's papers. Many of the messages … Continue reading Comprehensive Spending Review (CSR)
Vince Cable on universities
The Business Secretary, Vince Cable's, speech on university reform can be found on the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills website. It is always dangerous to take quotes out of context but I noticed this quite interesting bit. 'Of course we must back internationally excellent research. But what we can’t afford is a system in … Continue reading Vince Cable on universities
The Health White Paper: a research perspective
I am seriously considering entering the transfer market to buy a psychic octopus that can help me predict the implications of the unfolding Coalition Government strategy. Yesterday saw publication of the much-trailed Health White Paper which I overhead described on yesterday's edition of 'The World Tonight' as the most radical overhaul of the health services … Continue reading The Health White Paper: a research perspective
Willetts wants to cut loose science and go for growth
The Science Minister, David Willetts, was in thoughtful rather than visionary mode at the Royal Institution this morning I felt. The old hands among you will know by now that a Ministerial speech headlined as 'a vision' rarely lives up to its billing. But let's not mark him down on this. On science as in … Continue reading Willetts wants to cut loose science and go for growth
Willetts to speak this Friday on Government's vision for Science in the UK
The Science Minister, David Willetts, will be making his first speech setting out the Government's vision for science in the UK this Friday 9th July at the Royal Institution at 11am. Tickets are free and can be booked through the Ri
Lansley on public health
UPDATE - The full text of Andrew Lansley's speech can now be found on the Department of Health website. And some reaction from AMRC member, the British Heart Foundation, as reported in The Independent. Without wishing to appear as though I have suddenly become Andrew Lansley's publicist or that I am stalking him in some … Continue reading Lansley on public health
Medical research and children
I missed this very good viewpoint article on the BBC News website yesterday by Professor Neena Modi, Vice-President for Science and Research at the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health. Professor Modi argues that children and parents are being denied the benefits of clinical research and that until we undertake more clinical studies involving children they … Continue reading Medical research and children
Loose ends on Lansley, Godlee and AMRC
Here are a few loose ends from this week if not before. First, I'm delighted that the Journal of Ambulatory Care Management have published our paper about AMRC's 'Natural Ground' project on patient public involvement in their July issue. But I am afraid it looks as though you have to pay to download it. Nonetheless, … Continue reading Loose ends on Lansley, Godlee and AMRC
Andrew Lansley Speeches, Office for Life Sciences etc
For those just joining us....there is a brief report on Lansley's speech on the BMA conference website. The headline is 'Lansley promises NHS power to doctors' and I feel almost compelled to put 'Discuss' after it. The BMA piece details Lansley's 5 Ps or priorities for the NHS. Another piece running on the Press Association … Continue reading Andrew Lansley Speeches, Office for Life Sciences etc
Cap on Non-EU Economic Migrants: implications for science
You may have heard about the Home Secretary, Teresa May's, announcement of a cap on non-EU economic migrant workers on the news and in the newspapers. Many of the reports I have seen have made reference to the concerns expressed by the science community about the impact of such a cap on attracting international researchers. The … Continue reading Cap on Non-EU Economic Migrants: implications for science
UKCMRI Vision
The UK Centre for Medical Research and Innovation (UKCMRI) - founded by the MRC, Cancer Research UK, the Wellcome Trust and UCL -has published its 'Science Vision' for the proposed centre to be built in London. You can find it here.
NICE announcement on anti-TNF therapy
Today's guidelines by the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) to widen access to anti-TNF drugs for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis has been widely welcomed by patient groups and medical research charities such as Arthritis Research UK. Those digging further into the story may be interested to know that it was researchers … Continue reading NICE announcement on anti-TNF therapy
Eurobarometer on science and technology (England 1 Latvia 0)
For those of you who feel despondent about science's chances following yesterday's Budget think of it this way. We are through the group stages, have conceded little and are now through to the knockout stages where we have everything to play for. We just need to take our chances. Those of you thinking of an … Continue reading Eurobarometer on science and technology (England 1 Latvia 0)
Science and the Budget 2010
When I first started working in Westminster I seem to remember having to go and collect the Budget papers from HM Treasury. These days you can download them after the Chancellow has spoken. But such is the interest on the day, that it might still be quicker if you walk. So, while you are waiting … Continue reading Science and the Budget 2010
Science in a 'Big Society'
I was at the ACEVO CEO Summit this morning. One of those rare occasions when the presentations are so good you don't want to leave. The first was by Richard Reeves, the Director of DEMOS who will shortly become Special Adviser to the Deputy PM, Nick Clegg. The second by writer and broadcaster, Simon Fanshawe. … Continue reading Science in a 'Big Society'
Charities leading the way in stem cell research..and globally at that!
Charities working on an international scale is a topic that I have occasionally written about on this blog from time to time. One of the team here in the office passed the following on to me. I thought it was worth posting as a good example of a charity taking a leading role in setting-up … Continue reading Charities leading the way in stem cell research..and globally at that!
Universities and Research
A quick post in support of this week's campaign by Universities UK called 'What's the Big Idea?' and highlighting 'the essential role of universities in the UK and their impact on the economy, culture, society, the environment and much more.' There is both a campaign website here, and a Facebook site with some fun celebrity stuff … Continue reading Universities and Research
The trials of conducting clinical trials
'...while the charity has a long tail, it is a strong and growing one.'
simondenegri.com 