Probably not, I know, particularly if you are Andrew Lansley I suspect. But this is good drama and good for your health. I am delighted that AMRC is going to be part of the following, exciting initiative in public engagement. Read on for the news release (apologies, I know that is a bit lazy of me) … Continue reading Looking for a bit of drama in your life?
Wellcome Trust
Getting touchy over the information revolution
Over the holidays I caught a BBC Radio 4 item about the days of the touch typist. It was one of those gems of broadcasting which looked through a narrow lens to tell the listener much about how the world has changed. It also brought back many memories of my time as a messenger at the old … Continue reading Getting touchy over the information revolution
UKCMRI Gets Go-ahead…and news on CST
Those who visit this blog regularly will know that we've been following progress with the plans to build the UK Centre for Medical Research and Innovation in London ever since our first post. So, in what feels like an early Christmas present for science, it is good to be able to report that yesterday Camden Town Hall … Continue reading UKCMRI Gets Go-ahead…and news on CST
Times Letter on Charity Research Support Fund (CRSF)
A brief but important mention of the letter in today's Times signed by over 100 cancer scientists and doctors. The letter cites Breast Cancer Campaign (an AMRC member) and highlights the importance of the Government-backed Charity Research Support Fund (CRSF) to the funding of research in universities by medical research charities. If you want a succinct but well-articulated case for … Continue reading Times Letter on Charity Research Support Fund (CRSF)
Where medals and medallions are forged
Whether you like your scientists to be medallion wearers or medal winners or indeed both is I suppose a matter of personal preference. In one of those strange juxtapositions in life I chanced across news of this month's US GQ feature (no, I don't read it) on 'Rock Stars of Science' shortly before leaving my office … Continue reading Where medals and medallions are forged
Guest Blog: Dame Bridget Ogilvie on the spending review
A change is as good as a rest they say. So I am delighted that our former Chair (as well as former Director of the Wellcome Trust), Dame Bridget Ogilvie, took up my invitation to give us her perspective on the spending review and its implications. Its closing sentiments about the development of young scientists … Continue reading Guest Blog: Dame Bridget Ogilvie on the spending review
Government in danger of misunderstanding charities at their peril
Language is everything in politics. We hang of every word of our politicians for any hint of a change in tone or content that might indicate whether a batlle is lost or won. The same is true of those campaigning for change. Just read my blogs from all three party conferences. It feels in this eleventh … Continue reading Government in danger of misunderstanding charities at their peril
Science at the Conservative Party Conference
Two down, one to go. Here's science related 'matter' at the Conservative Party Conference which starts in Birmingham tomorrow. Birmingham University was of course the venue for the Science Minister, David Willett's, first speech after taking office. I am looking forward to being one of the hosts when he joins us for a roundtable breakfast … Continue reading Science at the Conservative Party Conference
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
UKCMRI and other news
In Manchester at the Lowry Centre today for the NHS R&D Forum conference. I have fond memories of Manchester having spent some of my childhood growing up near Wilmslow. Indeed, it was on a hot sunny day such as this that I remember myself and umpteen other seven year olds sitting on a gym mat listening to … Continue reading UKCMRI and other news
Good news on medical research regulation
The Prime Minister, Gordon Brown, and the Business Secretary, Lord Mandelson, paid a visit to the Wellcome Trust this morning and announced a clutch of initiatives including: £250 million investment in 2010/11 for the new world-class medical research centre at St Pancras in London which will bring together research teams to tackle major medical challenges. The … Continue reading Good news on medical research regulation
Trachea transplants and charities
'..behind every headline there is not just one story but often many stories of howthe science was developed..'
Public Attitudes on Science
Friday is when I tend to pass on things of interest which have come across my desk. You might want to check out what I think is the first edition of the Wellcome Trust's Monitor of Public Attitudes. It is certainly comprehensive and looks as though there is some interesting stuff in there. The finding … Continue reading Public Attitudes on Science
What defines medical research charities?
It normally grates on me when someone makes passing reference to football or their favourite team in search of the common touch. So forgive me for doing the same just this once. It does serve a purpose.....of sorts. I am sure that those familiar with football punditry - and even those who are not - will have … Continue reading What defines medical research charities?
A Wellcome round-up to the research week
While the Home Office struggles to recover from its Nutt allergy the rest of us have been busy funding and promoting good science. Our communications officer, Sara, tells me that if I use more searchable terms in my blog headlines I will get more visitors. 'What, more than the million or so I receive each day?' I said. Anyway, … Continue reading A Wellcome round-up to the research week
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