Just been reading the Nurse Review of the Research Councils which was delivered to the Government this week a bit like your newspaper is delivered to your hotel room, silently and under the door. The Review's terms of reference are admittedly narrow. But you've got to wonder about a Review: Where half the Foreword is... Continue Reading →
Cable and Willetts take public dialogue on science out of cold storage
It was only this time last week that, as I mulled over ideas for this blog, I considered a post listing some interesting 'facts' about public engagement including the number of days since the Department for Business Innovation and Skills (BIS) had said anything about future policy initiatives in the area of science and society. I should not... Continue Reading →
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 →
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 →
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 →
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 →
An Open Letter to Lord Mandelson
This week 'The Guardian' published an extract online of my response to Lord Mandelson's article in its pages about higher education funding. But I thought I would provide the full text here for interest. Dear Editor, The Business Secretary, Lord Mandelson, presents a stout case for why universities should see tighter budgets as an opportunity for diversifying their... Continue Reading →
