Yes, wouldn't it be great if the BBC did indeed launch 'Science in Need?' Then, for the first time in history, we could have a public broadcaster encouraging us to 'SIN' and be SINNERS with our donation to science. There is something rather beautiful but perhaps also tendentious about the juxtaposition of yesterday's launch of the BBC's new … Continue reading What next for the BBC: ‘Science in Need?’ #BBC #sciencefunding
CSR
We need more than better chat-up lines to increase participation in research
'Pedestrian freight.' It is a term I had not come across until last week. I believe it is the phrase once used inside train companies to describe you and I, the commuters who throng with fortitude through our stations up and down the land every day. Perhaps it still is, I don't know. Such 'internal' phrases can … Continue reading We need more than better chat-up lines to increase participation in research
CSR and science funding: that morning after feeling
So understandably the debate goes on whether we should be drinking champagne or lucozade this morning after yesterday's announcement. But I rather liked this sobre assessment by Jenny Rohn, originator of the Science is Vital campaign which has appeared in The Guardian. The New Scientist has also published a detailed analysis penned by Imran Khan … Continue reading CSR and science funding: that morning after feeling
The good, the not so good and the uncertain
I can only think of turning the last few hours of trying to absorb today's announcements and figures in the following way: The good Surely even the harshest critic would have to acknowledge that, comparatively speaking, science fared well in today's spending review. It was certainly spared the savage cuts that we are seeing elsewhere … Continue reading The good, the not so good and the uncertain
CSR – AMRC reaction on science settlement
UPDATE The full spending review document can be seen here. Note the very explicit reference and commitment to the Medical Research Council (MRC) including expenditure growth in real terms (p52). We have just had a message through from NIHR which repeats the spending review document messages and is heavy on language about pulling through the … Continue reading CSR – AMRC reaction on science settlement
CSR press reports: science spending to be 'frozen'
Well, we won't have too long to wait to know whether this is true but the Guardian is reporting this evening that science spending is to be frozen in tomorrow's CSR for a review period, representing a 10% reduction in real terms over that time as inflation reduces the spending power of departments. ...and further … Continue reading CSR press reports: science spending to be 'frozen'
CSR and painting by numbers
We are packing up. No, no, no, not in that sense. It is just that we are moving office in a few weeks. I am ashamed to say that I am the last of our team to begin the task of separating the recently aquired detritus from the must-keep documents that tell something of our history. … Continue reading CSR and painting by numbers
Science at the Conservative Party Conference – it ain't over until it's over
'So we will give priority to spending that supports growth in our economy. That means investment in the transport schemes, the medical research and the communications networks that deliver the greatest economic benefit.' George Osborne, 4 October 2010 Welcome, good, important? Yes. Victory, game over? Of course not. A noticeable frisson went through the room … Continue reading Science at the Conservative Party Conference – it ain't over until it's over
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)
Simon Denegri's Lay Review 