Ther's a couple of good pieces in the FT (link will take you to the front page) about the Pfizer announcement yesterday. Actually, it's quite interesting reading the comments of Pfizer's CEO as reported this morning. They give some insight into the self-critical eye that pharma is taking on how it has done things in the … Continue reading More on Pfizer
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Uniting fact and fiction in the name of science
A colleague in the office sent me this rather good blog on New Philanthropy Capital. In it, Angela Kail talks about, or rather asks the question, why charities generally don't do more to promote the real evidence of their effectiveness rather than rely - or allow others to rely on - anecdotes. My belief is that research … Continue reading Uniting fact and fiction in the name of science
Health and social care reforms on trial
What better starting point for today's blog than the comments of two leading clinicians speaking about the importance of clinical trials to patient outcomes. First, Dr Duncan Wheatley, a Clinical Oncologist and Lead for Research in the South West Peninsula, who is quoted in a BBC Cornwall story today about medical research at the Royal … Continue reading Health and social care reforms on trial
Rawlins Review: Academy lays down law on health research regulation
Over the weekend Professor Colin Blakemore said he hoped the Academy of Medical Sciences would come up with radical proposals to end the regulatory mess that holds up UK health research such as clinical trials. I am not sure whether he will feel today's report by the Academy lives up to that aspiration, but I do … Continue reading Rawlins Review: Academy lays down law on health research regulation
The Wellcome Trust is 75 this year
The Wellcome Trust this year celebrates its 75th birthday since being founded by Sir Henry Wellcome in 1936. The Observer's Robin McKie profiles the Trust in today's Observer. Wellcome was also a founding member of AMRC way back in 1972 I might add.
The 2011 medical research charity in-flight dashboard
Let me be the last to convey my New Year message to the nation! During my period of annual leave - which is still ongoing I might add but I care about you all that much - I have been thinking about how AMRC's member charities are faring and feeling as we begin 2011. Mis-spent days … Continue reading The 2011 medical research charity in-flight dashboard
Science, charity New Year Honours and some perspective on the MRC in 2011
Research Fortnight have posted a blog I wrote prior to Christmas in which I gave my 'glass half-full' take on what the science budget allocations mean for the Medical Research Council (MRC). Elsewhere..in today's New Year Honours, congratulations go to Adrian Smith, DG Knowledge and Innovation at the Department for Business Innovation and Skills, who has been … Continue reading Science, charity New Year Honours and some perspective on the MRC in 2011
Doctors' hours and research: the space-time continuum
Yesterday I spoke at a meeting of the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health (RCPCH). There was an outstanding presentation before mine by Kate Baker, a young academic paediatrician, about what inspired her to go into research. She talked about the importance of charismatic role models in attracting young doctors to science. But also highlighted … Continue reading Doctors' hours and research: the space-time continuum
Dressing down the naysayers on public engagement
I have been rather disappointed not to have bumped into a bear or monkey on the tube today. But there is still time. Who knows what I shall do if I happen to bump into a panda. Will it be a real panda fleeing Chinese scientists? Or a Chinese scientist tracking down an errant panda? I'll let you … Continue reading Dressing down the naysayers on public engagement
Lord (Phil) Willis becomes AMRC Chair
An extract from our news release announcing that Lord (Phil) Willis becomes AMRC's Chair at our AGM taking place at the Royal College of Surgeons of England today. MEDICAL RESEARCH CHAMPIONS FIND NEW CHAMPION Lord Willis of Knaresborough, one of the most prominent voices on science in parliament, has today been appointed chair of the … Continue reading Lord (Phil) Willis becomes AMRC Chair
Early signs of science communications entering the doldrums?
A post for discussion rather than one full of wisdom and advice. I am on the train back to the office after giving the keynote at today's INVOLVE conference. It has been a rare moment of quiet reflection. I have been interested to see some of the replies we have had to our requests for … Continue reading Early signs of science communications entering the doldrums?
A bit of tidying-up on Scotland
Yes, I know the REF impact pilots are the story of the day and I shall blog about this a little later...But I feel an urgent need to do a little bit of tidying-up from my scrappy blogs while on tour in Scotland yesterday. You may remember that we were taking part in the Science … Continue reading A bit of tidying-up on Scotland
Science in the Parliament event, Scotland
The 'One Voice for Scotland' news release accompanying the policy calls we have put out with our partners today for the Science in the Parliament event in Edinburgh is now available on our website http://www.amrc.org.uk
Scotland's day of reckoning
So only one day in the new office and my team have sent me away already. But it is with a mission. I am waiting for my flight to Edinburgh as I write. Today we are taking part in the Science in Parliament event there. It couldn't be more timely. On Thursday the Scottish Government … Continue reading Scotland's day of reckoning
Willetts on the Haldane Principle
I understand that the Science Minister, David Willetts, has today made a written ministerial statement on the Haldane Principles. In a short statement he says that the Coalition Government strongly supports the principles but notes the uncertaintly over its interpretation and announces that: 'I intend to clarify this in a statement which will be released … Continue reading Willetts on the Haldane Principle
Science is Vital Rally in London
UPDATE: Prateek Buck, a scientist at UCL, has written a first-person account/guest blog of the rally which appeared on GuardianUnlimited a few hours ago. Such a great day. You can here the speeches from the rally at the Guardian online here. And there's a good piece on BBC News Online. Please keep signing the petition … Continue reading Science is Vital Rally in London
Reactions to today's Guardian story on science cuts
The Guardian has reactions from across science to their splash today on the impact of cuts in funding. Mark Walport, John Krebs and yours truly quoted among others. Please sign the Science is Vital petition if you haven't already, we are up to nearly 10,000 signatures.
Science at the Labour Party Conference – a Miller's tale
Rumour has it that there is an outbreak of tonsilitis in the north-west at the moment...here's hoping Ed Milliband is being kept in isolation until his leader's speech this afternoon. One thing I forgot to mention from last night's meeting was David Lammy's comment that the coalition government has yet to put together a convincing narrative for … Continue reading Science at the Labour Party Conference – a Miller's tale
Science at Labour Party Conference – Vital Signs
First, a general observation. Less than one day here and I have met four 'Eds' already - more than in the previous ten years travelling the breadth of the UK. Strange that. But perhaps when you are faced by David Willetts you need as many 'Eds' as you can get. I came expecting a muted, … Continue reading Science at Labour Party Conference – Vital Signs
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
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