Last week news broke that the Royal Institution (RI) is looking for buyers for its hallowed Albermarle Street headquarters in London as part of a plan to ease its financial woes. These amount to £7million owed to creditors according to various reports. There's plenty of coverage of the affair in the UK media and a campaign … Continue reading I’ll be honest, I’m in two minds about the Royal Institution (RI) issue.
David Willetts
The life sciences, the public and the growth agenda…its not just about bums on seats
This is an extract from a talk I gave on Monday to the Faculty of Medical Sciences at the University of Newcastle. I tried to answer the following question: The life sciences are seen as fundamental to the nation’s health and to economic growth. But what is the public’s role in making this happen? The … Continue reading The life sciences, the public and the growth agenda…its not just about bums on seats
I can see a role for Oprah, Richard and Judy when it comes to open access scientific publishing
It would seem we are one step closer to 'open access scientific publishing.' How big or small that step will be, we do not know yet. Yesterday we saw a classic bit of Ministerial sounding out of the community on one or two emerging ideas, when the Science Minister, David Willetts, spoke to the Publishers Association . If the … Continue reading I can see a role for Oprah, Richard and Judy when it comes to open access scientific publishing
Research is for life: making research part and parcel of the patient journey
I was very privileged to be asked to give the Furlong Christmas Lecture a few weeks ago. I hope this doesn't seem egotistical but here's the text of that lecture amended with useful links etc - it touches on and rehearses themes that will be familiar to those of you who have visited the blog … Continue reading Research is for life: making research part and parcel of the patient journey
Willetts looks for the OMG factor in online science communication
The Science Minister, David Willetts, blogs in today's Guardian about the challenges for science writing in a world increasingly dominated by online media . He richly articulates the terms of an interesting debate and seems to convey genuine interest in the subject and a sincere wish to hear views. We must give the Online Media … Continue reading Willetts looks for the OMG factor in online science communication
Not a word on science and society from Willetts… rest my case
A major speech by Science Minister, David Willetts, about science and not a word about 'Science and Society' or the importance of the public. I am pleased that the Minister recognises the importance of ensuring science articles are in the public domain and not behind a pay wall but it's curious there seems no public … Continue reading Not a word on science and society from Willetts… rest my case
New stem cell centre in the UK announced
This from The Guardian /Observer stable in the early hours of Sunday with a quote from the Science Minister, David Willetts MP. The article says the centre is likely to be located in the South East (Sandwich perhaps where Pfizer recently closed it's facility?). £30 million of funding from a mix of public and private … Continue reading New stem cell centre in the UK announced
Public attitudes to science survey 2011
Welcome back to those of you who left the rest of us to run the country for two weeks. I must say that I spent the Bank Holiday weekend in a verily good mood having had a quick peek at the results of our annual member survey. This showed that 98% of our members say … Continue reading Public attitudes to science survey 2011
Capability Dave announces cluster therapy for research
Monday saw the Science Mnister, David Willetts, and Health Minister, Earl Howe, announce what are being called therapeutic capability clusters (research consortia) at the ABPI/BIA conference in London. PharmaLetter has an article on it and what I think is the formal news release can be found on Pharma Live. Don't be fooled by the PR … Continue reading Capability Dave announces cluster therapy for research
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 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'
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
Science besieges the castle with evidence: to what impact?
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?
Simon Denegri's Lay Review 