sip WHITSUN 2013 - Science in Parliament · Genetics at the local University where Sir Alec...

The Journal of theParliamentary andScientific Committee

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sip WHITSUN 2013 7/5/13 11:19

You can almost hear Lady Bracknell shrieking “under a car park”when made aware of the penultimate resting place of one ofEngland’s best known monarchs.

The bones of Richard III have turned up in the middle of Leicester,under a spot where a chapel used to be, but which has been atemporary resting spot for Fords and Toyotas fora few decades.

The first clue was that the skeleton displayed mild scoliosis of thespine, which would have given him a slightly lopsided limp.

However it required DNA analysis to put the matter beyond doubt,and where better for this to be carried out than in the Department ofGenetics at the local University where Sir Alec Jeffreys discoveredDNA fingerprinting around 30 years ago?

After so many generations, testing chromosomal DNA would have been inconclusive, butmitochondrial DNA provided the vital key, as was done recently (with the help of the Duke ofEdinburgh) to identify the remains of the Romanovs.

It is always worth remembering that Jeffreys’ discovery was serendipitous, carrying out what issometimes called “blue skies research”. The experimental result needed to alight on a highlyprepared mind. It also generated significant income for the patent holders.

Coincidentally, DNA testing was also to the fore in the recent (and current) investigation intothe presence of horse flesh in the food chain. Additionally, it allowed a huge number of punsin newspaper headlines. I am happy to put some of these rumours to bed by stating that it ismost unlikely that a burger company will be sponsoring the next Grand National!

At least we now know that Richard’s expiring exhortation “A horse, a horse, my kingdom for ahorse” was merely expressing a desire for a burger.

With great speed, the P&SC organised a discussion meeting on the use of random testing toprotect the public. This explored several aspects – quality control as determined by the TradeDescriptions Act, as well as potential toxicological consequences. Was the deceased horsetaking drugs prior to slaughter, and could these cause harm to burger munchers? It wasnoteworthy how little the Government spends on such protection of the electorate and theiroffspring.

Science in Parliament Vol 70 No 2 Whitsun 2013 1

THE ROYAL INSTITUTION 1799-??? 2Alan Malcolm

RESISTANCE FIGHTERS 3Dr Mark Downs

ANALYTICAL MEASUREMENT AND REGULATION 4Nick Boley

ADVANCING WOMEN IN MATHEMATICS 6

THE NUCLEAR TECHNOLOGY EDUCATIONCONSORTIUM 8Dr John Roberts

ROYAL SOCIETY YEAR OF SCIENCE AND INDUSTRYDr Simon Campbell CBE FRS 10

TALKING TECHNOLOGY 12Dr Matthew Aylett

CLIMATE CHANGE AND THE POLAR REGIONS 14Addresses to the P&SC by Dr Emily Shuckburgh,Professor Peter Wadhams and Dr Sheldon Bacon

EXTREME SPACE WEATHER 20Addresses to the P&SC by Professor Paul Cannon FREng,David Wade and Chris Train

INTERNET AND WEB PIONEERS WIN THEINAUGURAL QUEEN ELIZABETH PRIZE FORENGINEERING 26

SET FOR BRITAIN 27

VOICE OF THE FUTURE 31

THE BIG BANG FAIR 33

MRC MILLENNIUM MEDAL 35

THE COMMERCIALISATION OF RESEARCH 36Addresses to the P&SC by Steven Tait, Dr Bina Rawal andProfessor Stephen Caddick

SIN; OVERSEAS CHAMPIONS OF UK SCIENCE ANDINNOVATION 42Sam Myers

FRENCH RESEARCH AND HIGHER EDUCATIONREFORM 43Matthew Houlihan

HOUSE OF COMMONS SELECT COMMITTEE ONSCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY 45

PARLIAMENTARY OFFICE OF SCIENCE ANDTECHNOLOGY 47

HOUSE OF COMMONS LIBRARY SCIENCE ANDENVIRONMENT SECTION 48

HOUSE OF LORDS SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGYSELECT COMMITTEE 50

SELECTED DEBATES 51

SCIENCE DIRECTORY 52

SCIENCE DIARY 60

Andrew Miller MPChairman, Parliamentaryand ScientificCommittee

CONTENTS

The Journal of the Parliamentary and ScientificCommittee.The Committee is an Associate ParliamentaryGroup of members of both Houses ofParliament and British members of theEuropean Parliament, representatives ofscientific and technical institutions, industrialorganisations and universities.


Science in Parliament has two main objectives:1. to inform the scientific and industrial

communities of activities within Parliamentof a scientific nature and of the progress ofrelevant legislation;

2. to keep Members of Parliament abreast ofscientific affairs.

The front cover is a montage from the launch event for the London Mathematical Society report, Advancing Women in Mathematics: Good Practice inUK University Departments, on 27th February.

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Science in Parliament Vol 70 No 2 Whitsun 20132

THE ROYAL INSTITUTION1799- ????We have recently become used to financial crises threatening theworld as we know it being solved at the 11th hour (and usuallyat the 59th minute).

Against the backdrop of Greece and Cyprus, the travails of theRoyal Institution may seem trivial.

Ten (or so) years ago, theorganisation was greatly loved,but perceived as being not quiteready for the 21st century.

An ambitious plan to improvethe facilities (with help from theHeritage Lottery Fund)transformed the Grade 1 listedbuilding. The Queen came toopen it.

Unfortunately, the businessplan failed to come to fruition,and a substantial overdraft hadto be dealt with.

Since the freehold might beworth three times the debt, asolution was always likely toemerge, but questions ofnational heritage were bound tointrude.

A public outcry twenty or soyears ago resulted in DownHouse being preserved both asa memorial to Darwin, and as amuseum describing thesignificance for modern scienceand society of his work. Surelysomething would “turn up” asWilkins Micawber might havesaid.

Our Treasurer, Lord Willis,wrote a piece for the Guardianearlier this year in which hesuggested that although theBoard had earned our thanks fortheir attempts, nonetheless “thegame is up”.

He pointed out that in thetime since Davy, Faraday and cohad brought scientific

enlightenment to the chatteringclasses of Georgian andVictorian London, many otherbodies had now rushed into thisarea, and many were doing asuperb job on tiny budgets. Hefelt (and many others haveagreed) that the building isunnecessarily large for whatmany perceive to be the RI’score activities.

He finished by saying that if asustainable funding model couldbe found, then he would “gladlyretract my blunt assessment ofthe sad situation facing us”.

Many other articles with avariety of points of viewfollowed.

The journal Nature pointedout that “people who wish to beinformed about a topic nolonger need to sit in anuncomfortable seat and listen toa lecture by an eminence grise.”It felt that the Science Museummight take it over as part of itsoutreach activities.

On the other hand, MarkMiodownik felt that merelysitting in the lecture theatrewhere Faraday haddemonstrated gave “a tingle atthe back of your neck”.

For Suzie Sheehy “presentingat the RI is considered anhonour” for a practising scientist.

Michael Kenwardoptimistically pointed out that“the Wellcome Trust seems tobe awash with money” andmight therefore come to therescue.

Haroon Rafique, who as ateenager was funded to visitfrom Rochdale, emphasised that“the point of this excursion wasnot to be taught. It was to beinspired”.

David Logan, an exhibitorthere, remembers that “it was ahumbling feeling to sit in thelecture theatre, listening to aNobel Prize winner, whileabsorbing the atmosphere”.

Even more romantically,Andrea Sella felt that “the RI’sbrand is intimately tied with thelocation”, and likens the buildingto La Scala or La Fenice!

Alice Thomson, thedescendant of both Braggs,remembers that “the RI washaunted by Nobel Prizewinners”.

Realistically, ShaneMcCracken calculated the sumrequired was less than a singleTitian for the National Gallery.

Sir Richard Sykes, currentlyChair of the Trustees, chipped inwith a sturdy rebuttal. Hereminded us that the RI hadbeen here before, and hadsurvived. By 1803 it was already£3,000 (equivalent to tens ofmillions today) in debt. Oncethe story about the currentproblem had become public, hehad been gratified to experiencethe level of public support. He isconfident that the team (seebelow) now has an opportunityto create a national strategy forscience communication.

Finally, the denouement (weall hope) came at an EGM ofthe RI on 19th March

It was revealed that ananonymous benefaction hadbeen secured which wouldalleviate the present squeeze.

A future plan does still needto be mapped out, and severaleminent (and busy) scientistshave lent their name to thisexercise – Brian Cox, RobertWinston, Harry Kroto and PaulNurse – to name but a few.

Watch this space.

Alan Malcolm

Photo: Tim Mitchell

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RESISTANCE FIGHTERS

Dr Mark DownsChief Executive, Society of Biology

in causing them to emerge.Resistance, however, is a muchwider problem than this and theexact mechanisms often remainunclear.

ANTIBIOTICS IN THEENVIRONMENT

In the 1950s farmers beganto add low levels of antibioticsto animal feed as growthpromoters. Antibiotics given topigs were estimated to save asmuch as 20% of feed perpound of weight gain. However,there have been reports ofantibiotic resistance emerging inanimals as a result of antibioticsin feeds, although the story isextremely complex and not fullyunderstood. In 2006 the EUbanned antibiotic use at sub-therapeutic levels in animal feedto reduce the non-essential useof antibiotics.

The mechanisms of antibioticresistance are likewise complex,and research is needed tounderstand them better. Onecause is the transfer of thegenes across bacterial groups,with non-pathogenic bacteriaacting as reservoirs of antibioticresistance. Even if very lowdoses of antibiotic do not killsusceptible bacteria but reducetheir growth rates, resistantbacteria can outgrow them.

Bacteria move betweenanimals and humans through air,water, physical contact and viathe food chain. Although the useof antibiotics as growthpromoters in livestock has beenbanned, therapeutic doses ofantibiotics can still be prescribedby the vet. Antibiotic residuesare not always fully metabolised

by the animal so there isconcern that they can end up inthe food chain. Increasinghuman exposure to theseantibiotics might contribute to anincrease in antibiotic-resistance.

As well as solutions toantibiotic resistance in humanpathogens, we need alternativesto the current battery ofantibiotics for use in livestock.There is no single solution, butalternatives could includevaccines and bacteriophages(viruses which infect bacteria).

RESISTANCE IN OTHERSPECIES

Antibiotic resistance is by nomeans the only type ofresistance affecting healthcareand agriculture.

Fungi, like bacteria, areintrinsically capable ofdeveloping resistance toantifungal agents, and this maybe an under-recognisedproblem. Fungal infections areespecially common inimmunosuppressed patients,such as those suffering fromAIDS, cancer or cystic fibrosis,and organ transplant patients.Fungi also cause extensivelosses to agriculture and forestry;the most recent fungal concernis ash dieback.

In principle, antibioticresistance is a subset of a widerproblem of drug resistance suchas the evolving drug resistanceof parasites such as malaria.Likewise, insect vectors ofdisease are evolving resistanceto insecticides, and certainplants are developing herbicideresistance to become so-called‘super weeds.’ Short of making aspecies effectively extinct, as hashappened with smallpox, we willonly ever have temporaryvictories in combatting diseasesand pests.

CONCLUSION

For all antibiotics, thequestion of resistance is ‘when’rather than ‘if’ we will ever neednew ones. To minimise theimpact on human health andour food supply, research isurgently needed to determinethe mechanisms of resistanceand to create new antibioticsand alternatives. Thedevelopment of new patient-ready treatments is a longprocess, beginning withunderstanding of fundamentalbiology and progressing to thesearch for potential treatments.Drug Discovery skills are indanger of being lost in the UKas the pharmaceutical industryrestructures at a time when theyare most needed. Many of thelearned societies are workingtogether to help identifymechanisms to address this.

In the natural struggleto survive, speciesevolve alongside eachother and theirenvironment as part ofan evolutionary armsrace. Predators evolveways to catch theirprey, and prey speciesevolve ways to escapecapture. Hosts evolveways to detect anddestroy parasites, andparasites evolve waysto evade them. Aninevitableconsequence of thisnatural process ofcompetition isantibiotic resistance,and an arms racebetween organismsand the scientificcommunity.

The appearance of new‘super bugs’ resistant to much ofthe available armoury ofantibiotics, such as MRSA, is amajor threat to human health,and prescribing practices pastand present have played a part

. . . Bacteria move between animals

and humans . . .

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ANALYTICAL MEASUREMENTAND REGULATION: The Role ofthe Government Chemist

Nick BoleyTechnology and PolicyConsultant to theGovernment ChemistLGC, Teddington

The Government Chemistalso has an important role withinGovernment. Followingprivatisation in 1996, anagreement between theSecretary of State for Trade andIndustry and LGC secured thecontinuity of our public functionsby appointing the GovernmentChemist “as a source of advicefor HM Government and thewider analytical community onthe analytical chemistryimplications of matters of policyand of standards and ofregulations”. This recognised theimportance of chemistry andrelated sciences in many sectorsand products within the UKeconomy. Today the work of theGovernment Chemist is fundedby the National MeasurementOffice within the Department ofBusiness, Innovation and Skills.

The advisory function isdelivered by responding toGovernment or by publishingconsultations, where analyticalscience plays an important role.These provide information to abroad range of stakeholderswho have an interest indeveloping policy, legislation,and standards on chemicalmeasurement needs associatedwith regulation. The advisoryfunction also looks at emergingissues requiring new regulationand analytical measurement,and highlights paths to be taken.Small research projects arecommissioned in areas ofemerging interest, such as theseparation of toxic nanosilverfrom ionic silver. Nanosilver isused as an antimicrobial agentin socks which leaches outduring washing and enterswaste water streams or to

investigate contaminants incarbon dioxide streams incarbon capture andsequestration applications.

A close interaction with policymakers is critical to theGovernment Chemist role. Wetherefore recognise the need tobuild strong relationships withrelevant Departments andAgencies to help focus ouractivities.

It is clear from the activitiesof the Government Chemist thatanalytical measurements areimportant in the developmentand enforcement of legislationand regulation. Where regulationneeds analytical measurementsfor effective enforcement thereis a clear link between thedevelopment of regulations andthe analytical methodologyavailable. A regulation thatcannot be effectively enforcedusing existing widely availableanalytical methodologyrepresents poor regulation.This is true regardless ofwhether enforcement would beby an official laboratory, or self-declaration from industrycarrying out measurements in-house, and applies equally toUK and EU legislation.

UNDERSTANDING THEMEASUREMENTIMPLICATIONS OFREGULATORY CHANGE

An example of whereregulation and analyticalmeasurement capability arepotentially out of step comesfrom the EU’s Water FrameworkDirective (WFD). Discussions areon-going regarding the additionof pharmaceutical products –

specifically 17 �-estradiol (E2),17 �-ethinylestadriol (EE2) anddiclofenac – to the list ofcontrolled toxic substancesunder the WFD. The proposedmaximum levels to be permittedin water are extremely low (0.27parts per trillion (ppt) for E2 and0.035 ppt for EE2), and thechallenge for analyticallaboratories in being able tomeasure these substancesaccurately and reliably at theselevels is huge. The EuropeanCommission’s DirectorateGeneral for the Environment hasstated that member states needto solve this problemthemselves, effectively distancingthemselves from the technicalmeasurement issue. In ouropinion, this represents poorlegislation, with a stringentmeasurement requirementbeing set with apparently noregard for the practicalities ofenforcement. If policies setlimits that cannot beeffectively monitored, this callsinto question the limits andthe policies themselves. Itwould be preferable initially toset levels commensurate withmeasurement capability, andcommit investment into R&D tolower limits of detection to thedesired level, leading to asubsequent downward revisionof the limits.

The situation is similar withallergens in foods. There hasbeen an increase in recent yearsin the percentage of thepopulation who presentthemselves with a food allergy.For many of these people only atiny concentration of the allergenis needed to provoke a severeallergic reaction. These levels of

The role of the GovernmentChemist was established in1842 to detect adulterants intobacco for Her Majesty’sCustoms and Excise. Since then,the Government Chemist’sfunction has developed with theresponsibility to investigate arange of samples and problemson behalf of Governmentauthorities and the public. Fornearly half of the 20th Centurythe Government Chemistexisted as a free-standingindependent department.

Today the GovernmentChemist has a statutory roleunder several Acts of Parliament,including the Food Safety Act,the Agriculture Act and theMedicines Act. Analyses arecarried out to resolve disputesbetween regulatory authoritiesand traders, and a programmeof research develops robustanalytical methodology tounderpin this work. Dr DerekCraston, the current GovernmentChemist, is supported by a teamof internationally reputablemeasurement scientists who areon call when queries arise.

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allergens are extremely difficultto measure accurately. Althoughthere are many test-kits on themarket, their sensitivity andspecificity are often insufficient.Some laboratories, includingLGC, are working to improveexisting methods anddeveloping new methods basedupon liquid chromatographylinked to mass spectrometry(LC-MS) for proteins, and DNAbased approaches. Thesedevelopments will enable foodallergens to be measured moreaccurately in support ofemerging, and necessary,legislation.

Another area wheremeasurement capability needsto keep pace with developmentsin regulation, as well as the fastrate of innovation inmanufacturing and applications,is in the field of nanomaterials.The recent proposal from theEuropean Commission for adefinition of a nanomaterialhad something of a mixedreception. Some scientistsbelieve that a nanomaterialshould not be defined solely byits size, but should include itsfunctionality. Our view is thatverifying a material is or is not ananomaterial on the basis offunctionality is notstraightforward, and can beopen to interpretation.

The proposed definition of ananomaterial is “a natural,incidental or manufacturedmaterial containing particles, inan unbound state or as anaggregate or as an agglomerateand where, for 50% or more ofthe particles in the number sizedistribution, one or moreexternal dimensions is in thesize range 1 nm-100 nm.”Experts in the field ofnanomaterials may debatewhether the definedparameters are or are notappropriate, but at least thisdefinition is measurable.Analytical methodology hasadvanced over the past fewyears, enabling both the size

and the number ofnanoparticles to be measured.This makes the proposeddefinition and associatedregulations on nanomaterialsenforceable.

ENSURING RELIABLEMEASUREMENT

One recurring theme overthe past year has been thesignificant burden of regulationfor industry, and the need toensure regulation is simple andeffective. This is particularlypertinent where laboratories in,or engaged by, manufacturersare carrying out importantanalytical measurements todemonstrate compliance withlegislation or regulation. “Self-regulation” removes the needfor time consuming and costlycontrols by third partyregulators, but should beimplemented with care.

A good example of this is formanufacturers of items whichare covered by the Restriction ofHazardous Substances (RoHS)directive. Manufacturers self-declare that their productscomply with the directive, anddo not contain any of therestricted substances above theprescribed limits. But how canwe be certain that thesemeasurements are of sufficientaccuracy? We are fortunate inthe UK that measurementlaboratories, in all sectors, have astrong quality ethos, and thatthere is a national body which isable independently to reviewthe quality of laboratorymeasurements – UKAS, theUnited Kingdom AccreditationService.

Any laboratory making theseimportant measurements insupport of regulation can applyto become accredited to theinternational standard ISO/IEC17025 for the measurements ofinterest. To gain, and maintainthis accreditation, companiesundergo assessment andperiodic audits by UKAS, whichdemonstrate impartially and

independently the quality of thelaboratory’s procedures, andtherefore confer confidence inthe measurements. Our advice,when responding toconsultations, has often includedreference to assuring the qualityof measurements needed tosupport proposed legislation.Accreditation is an effective wayto achieve this, along with theuse of appropriate referencestandards and methods.

REDUCING THE NEEDFOR ANIMAL TESTING

Complementary to analyticaltesting is the field of toxicitytesting. REACH (Registration,Evaluation, Authorisation &restriction of Chemicals)legislation requires theidentification of substances ofvery high concern and theirprogressive replacement bysuitable and viable alternativesubstances or technologies.Although it is recognised that thiswould require the generation ofadditional toxicological datawhich would necessitate someadditional tests on animals,REACH clearly states thatanimal testing should only becarried out at a last resort, andthat companies have anobligation under EU law not totest on animals. Manyobservers believe that the rate ofreduction of animal testing insupport of legislation such asREACH and the EU CosmeticsDirective is insufficient, ishappening too quickly and runsthe risk of making the EUuncompetitive in the cosmeticssector. One of the mostsignificant obstacles is theavailability of alternative testswhich can provide the sameinformation, with the appropriateconfidence level as animal tests.One area showing promisingdevelopments for alternative in-vitro testing, hence excluding theneed for animals, is the field oftoxicogenomics. Researchers atLGC have been developingreliable in vitro assays that maysoon be suitable for regulatory

toxicity risk assessment.

Toxicogenomics mergestoxicology with genomics andbioinformatics to investigateeffects of chemicals in modelbiological systems. While thishas been known over the past10 to15 years in thepharmaceutical and chemicalindustries, recent improvementsin microarray technology havemade measurement platformsmore robust, thereby offering asuitable alternative to costly andethically provocative animaltesting. Developments such asthese are important in helpingthe chemical industry carry outtoxicity testing more efficientlyand effectively, saving industryconsiderable sums of money.Regulators also need to promotethese novel tests and, whereappropriate, accept their data, sothat animal tests become thelast resort when all else fails.

BRINGING ANALYTICALSCIENCE TOGOVERNMENT

The above examples illustratethat a close liaison betweenregulators, legislators andmeasurement scientists iscritical for successfulregulation. This messageechoes the enquiry by theHouse of Lords Scientific andTechnology Committee last yearinto the role of Chief ScientificAdvisors, which the Committeestated they would like to seestrengthened.

The work of the GovernmentChemist advisory functionprovides a unique and valuableresource for GovernmentDepartments and Agencies,including in the devolvedadministrations, in any fieldwhere analytical measurement isrequired to support legislationand regulation. GovernmentDepartments and Agencies arekey stakeholders in the work wecarry out, and we welcome anyfeedback on how we mightimprove our services.

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ADVANCING WOMEN INMATHEMATICS:An Opportunity for ChangeThe London Mathematical Society (LMS) launched its reportAdvancing women in mathematics: Good practice in UK universitydepartments at the House of Commons on 27th February 2013.

The event was hosted by

Andrew Miller MP, Dr Julian

Huppert MP and Stephen

Metcalfe MP, with guest speaker

Professor Margaret Wright of the

Courant Institute of

Mathematical Sciences, New

York University and Chair of the

International Review of

Mathematical Sciences 2010.

This is the first launch event that

the LMS has held at the House

of Commons and the support

from MPs, the mathematics

community and other STEM

organisations was excellent, with

around 100 attendees.

Andrew Miller MP opened

proceedings by welcoming the

attendees and outlining the

importance of the mathematical

sciences to the country’s

prosperity, and the need for

continued interaction between

the mathematical sciences

community and Parliament.

Dr Graeme Segal, LMS

President, described the reasons

behind the LMS report and gave

a brief outline. He also thanked

Dr Catherine Hobbs and

Professors Gwyneth Stallard and

John Greenlees from the LMS

Good Practice Scheme Steering

Group, for their hard work in

bringing the report to fruition.

He mentioned the late Anne

Bennett, who as the LMS Head

of Society Business was

instrumental in helping to

produce the report. It is a lasting

legacy to her ability to facilitate

collaborative working, her energy

and drive, and her real interest

ensured that mathematics and

women in mathematics are

properly represented at the

highest levels.

The guest speaker –

Professor Wright – outlined the

process behind the International

Review of the Mathematical

Sciences 2010 and some of its

findings in relation to gender

diversity. One of the Review’s

recommendations was that,

‘urgent action should be taken

to improve participation of

women in the mathematical

sciences community', which

supported the view of the LMS

in undertaking this work.

The formal part of the

Anna Zecharia, Ellie Cosgrave and Chi Onwurah MP

. . . support from MPs was excellent . . .

Stephen Metcalfe MP and Graeme Segal (LMS President)

evening was closed by Stephen

Metcalfe MP, who reiterated the

importance of mathematics. He

looked forward to continued

dialogue with the community.

The LMS has long been

concerned about the loss of

women from mathematics,

particularly at the higher levels of

research and teaching, and the

missed opportunities that this

represents. Through its Women

in Mathematics Committee the

LMS established a Good Practice

Scheme. Supporting

departments participated in a

benchmarking survey which led

to this report.

Although similar surveys have

been carried out for other

disciplines, this is the first such

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. . . the late Anne Bennett was

instrumental in producing the report . . .

survey undertaken within

mathematics. It provides insight

into areas of good practice as

well as areas for further

development.

The report also provides data

on the proportions of women at

each career stage. Although over

40% of graduates in the

mathematical sciences are

female, in common with other

science, technology, engineering,

mathematics and medicine

(STEMM) subjects, there is a

significant fall in the proportion

of women who become

academic mathematicians. Only

6% of professors of

mathematics in the UK are

female. The data contained in

the report enabled each

department to benchmark itself

against the national picture, and

will assist departments and the

LMS to target appropriate

actions.

The event was an

opportunity for the mathematical

sciences community to meet

policy makers and other

influential people, and to

promote mathematics and the

proactive approach the

community is taking in

addressing the various

challenges. The LMS was

particularly pleased with the

opportunity to discuss these

challenges with the three MPs

hosting the event, and also with

Shabana Mahmood MP, Shadow

Minister of State for Universities

& Science and Chi Onwurah MP,

Junior Shadow Minister for

Business, Innovation and Skills

who attended the event along

with Joan Walley MP.

Professor Gwyneth Stallard,

Chair of the LMS Women in

Mathematics Committee said,

‘The LMS is delighted that so

many mathematical science

departments are beginning to

take these issues seriously. The

LMS hopes that this report will

provide a valuable resource for

those seeking to make changes

so that more women can

achieve their true potential as

mathematicians.’

Mathematical sciences

underpin our 21st century

technology, economy and

society. The flow of trained

mathematical scientists relies

upon our universities’ research

and teaching excellence, and

developing the rich pool of

mathematical talent – both

women and men – that is

available in the UK. This is an

excellent opportunity for the

mathematical sciences to make

a significant contribution in this

area and the publication of this

report is a huge step in the right

direction.

There is a summary of the

issues highlighted in the report

in the previous issue of Science

in Parliament magazine,

Supporting Good Practice in

University Mathematics

Departments, p39-41.

The full report is available on

the LMS website at

http://www.blitzadv.co.uk/LMS-

BTL-17Report.pdf

. . . this is the first such survey undertaken

within mathematics ...

If you would like a printed

copy of the report please

contact Dr John Johnston, LMS

Communications Officer at

john.johnston @lms.ac.uk

Chi Onwurah MP

Joan Walley MP Stephen Huggett and Catherine Hobbs

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THE NUCLEAR TECHNOLOGYEDUCATION CONSORTIUM

Dr John RobertsSchool of Physics &Astronomy, The Universityof Manchester

Established in 2005 toaddress the serious decline innuclear education in the UK, theNuclear Technology EducationConsortium (NTEC)1 bringstogether 9 UK universities, plusthe Defence Academy, Collegeof Management and Technology,to offer Master’s level educationin Nuclear Science andTechnology. A report in 2002 bythe Health and Safety Executiveon Nuclear Education in BritishUniversities2 had concluded that“If nuclear education were apatient in a hospital it would bein intensive care” andrecommended that “Immediateaction is needed; otherwisenuclear education will slowlydisappear”. The report statedthat “the focus of nucleareducation should be onpostgraduate courses” and “themove towards modularpostgraduate courses and theintroduction of postgraduatecertificates and diplomas shouldbroaden the appeal of nuclearsubjects and attract morestudents”.

Pockets of expertise andenthusiasm for nuclear teachingand research still existed withinthe universities but with thegeneral decline of the UKnuclear sector from the late1980s and through the 1990sthe strength of the teaching andresearch groups at the individualuniversities was quicklydiminishing. A consortiumapproach was therefore seen tobe the best way forward. Withfour years of funding obtainedfrom the Engineering and

Physical Sciences ResearchCouncil (EPSRC), NTEC wasestablished. The consortiumnow has ten members:

• University of Birmingham;

• University of CentralLancashire;

• City University;

• Imperial College London;

• Lancaster University;

• University of Leeds;

• University of Liverpool;

• University of Manchester;

• University of Sheffield;

• Defence Academy, College ofManagement and Technology.

These partners offer twentymodules across all aspects ofNuclear Science and Technologyrelevant to the UK’s nuclearenergy programme, includingcourses to suit students lookingto enter the new build ordecommissioning sectors. A keyfeature of the NTEC programmeis that it was developed inresponse to the requirements ofindustry, and in collaborationwith industry. This means thatnot only is the content of thecourse matched to their needsbut the “short course” format ofone-week concentrated modulesis also the preferred deliverymethod. This allows full-timestudents to complete theMaster’s programme in one yearand part-time students who arealready employed by industry tofinish in three years.

To qualify for the Master’sdegree, students must passeight of the modules and

submit a dissertation. Part-timestudents study four modules ineach of their first two years andsubmit their dissertation afterproject work in the third year.Full-time and part-time studentscan also obtain a PostgraduateDiploma by omitting thedissertations and a PostgraduateCertificate by completing fourcore modules. All modules arealso suitable for ContinuousProfessional Development socompanies can send theiremployees on an intensive one-week course on a specificsubject.

A development in 21stcentury education is theprovision of university coursesvia e-Learning, sometimesknown as Distance Learning, asthe student does not attend thesessions, but accesses them viatheir computer. The ten mostpopular NTEC modules areavailable is this format whichhas allowed students from allover the world to study, as wellas increasing the flexibility toallow more UK based employersto take the course. The LearningOutcomes of both deliverymethods are identical sostudents qualify with the samedegree and, if they wish, canmix Distance Learning withattendance to balance theirworkload over the one year orthree year period. Theprogramme is accredited by theEngineering Council on behalf ofthe main engineering LearnedSocieties, which allows thestudents to use theirqualification towards CharteredEngineer status.

Industry input has been avital component of NTEC sinceits establishment and continues

. . . concentrated modules is the preferred method . . .

sip WHITSUN 2013 7/5/13 11:19


• Industry lecturers support theprogramme to provide realcase studies;

• CPD and part-time studentfees support full-time students;

• Industry recruitment of NTECstudents after graduation;

• The mix of young professionalswith full-time students on themodules helps the students tomake good career choices.

Due to the integrated natureof the industry support, theNTEC programme is now self-sustainable on the fee income –in particular the fees obtainedfrom the UK nuclear companies.This income enables NTEC tooffer full fee waivers and a£7,500 stipend to full-timestudents with an upper secondclass degree or above, and areduced fee of £4,000 forstudents with a lower secondclass degree. In this way industryis increasing the skills of their

Figure 1: The NTEC Management Structure

to be so today. Major nuclearcompanies from the UK arerepresented on the ExternalAdvisory Board to provideguidance and feedback to theSteering Group, which is madeup of representatives from eachof the partner institutions. Thereis also student representation onthe Steering Group to ensurethere is transparency to all thedecisions, and to providefeedback from current students.All policy decisions are made atSteering Group level andimplemented by the NTEC Co-ordination Centre which is basedin the School of Physics andAstronomy at The University ofManchester. The NTECManagement Structure is shownin Figure 1.

The UK nuclear industry alsocontributes in a number of otherways:

• Providing an industry locationfor the Master’s projects;

. . . self-sustainable on the fee income . . .current workforce and increasingthe number of students theycan recruit with the requiredqualification in Nuclear Scienceand Technology.

The real test of the successof any vocational programme iswhether or not the students arerecruited by industry at the endof their course. With the majorityof students successfullymanaging to find an MSc projectplacement in industry it acts as a

long-term job interview. Bothemployer and employee get toknow each other during thethree-month project period. Thisincreases the prospect of bothstudents and employers findingthe best fit, leading to thestudent having a flying start totheir career.

With the recentannouncement in March 2013

. . . students and employers

finding the best fit . . .

by the Energy Secretary EdDavey that planning consenthad been granted for theconstruction of a new nuclearpower station at Hinkley Point,the 500 students that havepassed through the NTECprogramme are ready,enthusiastic and above alleducated, to contribute to thenew build programme in theUK, as well as the safedecommissioning of the existing

fleet. In addition to thiscontribution to the UK nuclearindustry, NTEC has also pavedthe way for a renaissance ofnuclear courses at UKuniversities 3. The success ofNTEC and the parallelresurgence of the UK nuclearsector has encouraged manyuniversities to hire more staff fortheir nuclear research groups.This has in turn led to a numberof the universities establishingtheir own undergraduate orpostgraduate nuclear courses,taught in the traditional manner.These provide additional placesto educate the UK nuclearworkforce of the future; a futurewhere the UK nuclearuniversities collaborate with theUK nuclear industry for thebenefit of the UK nuclearindustry, and therefore ultimatelythe whole of the UK.

References

1. www.ntec.ac.uk

2. Nuclear Education in British Universities2002, available atwww.nuclearliaison.com

3. www.nuclearliaison.com.

sip WHITSUN 2013 7/5/13 11:19


The situation in today’s harsh

economic climate is no different,

as there is a general recognition

that world class science and

engineering are essential for

revitalising our economy and

generating long term growth, but

funding must be internationally

competitive.

Drawing on the advice of the

science community, the

Government has set out eight

future technologies in which it

believes the UK has the

potential to be world-leading,

and which will bring economic

growth. Announced by the

Chancellor at the Royal Society

in November 2012, they include

the ‘Big Data’ revolution and

innovations in energy efficient

computing; synthetic biology;

regenerative medicine; agri-

science; energy storage;

advanced materials; robotics and

autonomous systems; and

satellites and commercial

applications of space.

The Royal Society is

committed to innovative science,

and is supporting the

Chancellor’s challenge to the

scientific community for Britain

to lead the world in these areas.

It recognises that world class

research and development in

UK industry is essential for

transforming innovative ideas

into commercially successful

products, economic growth and

securing the science base. Via its

science and industry programme

and other initiatives, the Society

aims to understand and respond

. . . new products with social benefits . . .

to the needs of industry. It is

focused on engaging with the

industrial sector to develop

arguments that higher

investment in the UK science

base is essential for international

competitiveness.

The Royal Society is

highlighting innovation through a

Year of Science and Industry.

Launched at the Society’s ‘Labs

to Riches’ event at the end of

2012, this brings together

industry, academia and the

public across a range of events.

These include scientific

meetings, prize lectures,

workshops and industrial

symposia – all of which are

contributing to a better

understanding of industrial

research and development and

a greater appreciation for the

quantity and quality of

innovative scientific research

ROYAL SOCIETY YEAR OFSCIENCE AND INDUSTRY

Dr Simon Campbell CBE FRSRoyal Society

In the 1660’s Robert Boyle, one of the founders of the RoyalSociety, wrote a scientific wish list. He dreamed, among otherthings, of flying machines, GPS and commercial agriculture. Nowwe all know these changed our lives for the better, andsubsequently achieved major commercial success. Later theIndustrial Revolution brought scientists, engineers, technologistsand entrepreneurs together to apply science to industry and theeconomy. Some outstanding outcomes include the steam engineproviding power, chemistry and geology improving ceramics andthe use of natural resources, mechanics and engineeringconstructing machines for transport and manufacture. Since theEnlightenment, innovative science has continued to be thebedrock for industry to translate into new products with bothcommercial and social benefits.

sip WHITSUN 2013 7/5/13 11:19


taking place throughout the UK.

In February 2013 a Royal

Society Theo Murphy

International Meeting examined

the computational methods

developed for the storage and

indexing of massive data, and a

further meeting was held in

London focused on ‘Taking x-ray

phase contrast imaging into

mainstream applications’. In the

coming months there will be

meetings on cell polarity

research and how its impact in

translational biomedicine can be

maximised; Moore’s Law and

how microelectronics will deliver

new and non-electronic

functionality for optical, chemical

and biological systems;

sustainable computing;

regenerative medicine; and drug

discovery, regulation and the

law. In addition the Royal Society

will be holding a symposium

with key industry representatives

which will investigate the major

issues facing them today and

over the coming years and

identify common themes for

effective translation in the

various sectors.

These have expanded the

Society’s calendar, which already

includes initiatives in scientific

excellence such as the Royal

Society Industry Fellowship

scheme and the Brian Mercer

Awards for Innovation and

Feasibility. Information on events

as part of the Year of Science

and Industry can be found at

royalsociety.org/events/2013/

year-science-industry/

Sometimes a distinction is

drawn between basic or

discovery science and applied

science, as though they exist as

separate endeavours. In practice,

research is a continuum from

discovery science through

translation to subsequent

exploitation. Paul Nurse, the

President of the Royal Society,

characterises this as an

interactive ecosystem, with

knowledge generated at

different places within a

continuum influencing both

upstream in the creation of

discoveries, and downstream in

the production of new

applications. He cites the case of

the steam engine which

influenced the formulation of

thermodynamics. George Porter,

a former President, once

referred to there being two

types of science “applied and

not yet applied”.

There can be cultural

differences between academia

and industry which is an

important area we will explore

with our Year of Science and

Industry. The key elements are

people and their ideas. We have

to ensure that where there are

barriers to permeability between

sectors, we can break them

down. A company will need

designers, production line

workers, accountants and the

innovation ecosystem needs a

variety of skills found in different

places. We need scientists to

mix with the best minds from

industry, the City, the public

services, the media, to spark off

new ideas so that research can

benefit us all.

The ecosystem will only

flourish with proper financial

investment. Last year the

Chancellor told an audience at

the Royal Society ‘We have great

science in Britain. We are

backing it. And we will do more.’

Indeed, the Government has

found funding to support the

. . . impact in translational biomedicine

can be maximised . . .

. . . influenced the formulation of

thermodynamics . . .

UK’s research even during

budget constraints. It clearly

understands that ideas,

innovation and

commercialisation drive future

prosperity. However, while this

investment is essential and

appreciated, it allows UK

research no more than to stand

still. The UK produces the most

academic papers per financial

unit spent in the G8, but other

nations set investing in research

at a higher priority. China, India,

South Korea and Taiwan are all

more ambitious. Germany has

committed an extra €12bn to

education and research, with a

view to driving national

prosperity. Finland and Sweden

are pumping money into

research, spending nearly 4% of

GDP on R&D. By contrast, the

UK trails the big spenders, with

the public and private sectors

combined investing only 1.79%

of gross domestic product in

research in 2010. Economies

across the world are putting their

weight behind science, while UK

investment is lagging.

When we talk about the

relationship between science

and industry we have to look at

business spend on R&D, an

essential part of national

investment. In Japan and South

Korea this is over 70% of R&D

spend. Where businesses spend

their resources is increasingly

competitive. The UK has

nurtured world renowned

pharmaceutical and automotive

companies, and design pioneers

and cutting edge new

technology, but industry spends

less on R&D in the UK than our

competitors.

The Royal Society’s Year of

Science and Industry will identify

and help overcome barriers

between our world class science

base and industry. We are aware

of the challenges that face the

UK’s economy, but our activities

can leverage a cultural shift that

will increase the flow of ideas

and investment between

academia and industry and

rekindle the entrepreneurial spirit

of the enlightenment and the

industrial revolution. The UK

remains a genuine world leader

in research – we now need to

ensure that we translate new

discoveries into an innovation-

based and sustainable economic

recovery.

sip WHITSUN 2013 7/5/13 11:19


We know there is somethingspecial about speech. Ourvoices are not just a means ofcommunicating, although theyare superb at it, they also give adeep impression of who we are.They can betray our upbringing,our emotional state, our state ofhealth. They can be used topersuade and convince, to calmand to excite. The power ofspeech is key to ourparliamentary democracy. Adebate requires the ability tospeak, the rough and tumble ofparliamentary life revolvesaround what politicians sayrather than what they write. So,what can we do if a personloses the power of speech?What can we do if we want togrant the power of speech toour machines and tools? Theanswers lie with speechsynthesis (also known as text tospeech – TTS) technology.

Speech synthesis hasprogressed enormously sincethe trademark Stephen Hawkingvoice which was based onsynthesis developed in the mid-eighties. Hawking has retainedthe same system, despite issueswith naturalness, because it hasbecome his personal voice. If heused a modern more naturalsystem no one would recognisehim. This issue ofpersonalisation has become amajor driving force behindmodern speech synthesistechnology. In the past acompany would only offer aMale and Female British RPaccent. Now companies offermany voices with many regional

accents. CereProc, an Edinburghcompany, even offers aGlaswegian accented system forAndroid. However, for peoplesuffering from a speechdisability, the voice they arereally searching for is their own.

Roger Ebert, arguablyAmerica's most famous filmcritic, lost the ability to speakafter a thyroid cancer operation.Although he used speechsynthesis available on his AppleMac to communicate, he wasfrustrated because the voice didnot sound like him. CereProcstepped in to help him. Usinghours of Roger's commentariesfrom DVDs, they were able tocreate a voice that mimics hisoriginal speaking style. Thesetechniques were also used byCereProc to create a satirical'Bush-o-matic' website whichmimicked the speech of GeorgeW Bush, and, during the USpresidential elections, a versionof Barack Obama and MittRomney.

However many people donot have a large bank of cleanrecorded audio with which tobuild a synthetic version of theirvoice. Current speech synthesisresearch is exploring how tomimic a subject’s voice with lessaudio, and for that audio to beless cleanly recorded. Currently3-5 hours of speech is requiredto produce a voice that soundsalmost completely natural,however with a new statistical

“I now propose a test forcomputer voices – the Eberttest. If a computer voice cansuccessfully tell a joke and dothe timing and delivery as wellas Henny Youngman, thenthat's the voice I want.”TED Talk – Roger Ebert:Remaking my voice

Offering a sensitive means ofcontrolling the artificial voice aswell as building a voice whichallows emotional variation is still

modelling approach good qualityvoices can be produced with 40minutes of audio, and voicesthat sound like a person,although with reduced quality,with even less data. This abilityto clone voices with less dataraises a host of ethical and legalissues. To what extent does yourvoice belong to you? Audiorecorded by radio, TV and foraudio books is typically ownedby the company producing theaudio, not by the speaker. Therecent GOS foresight report on'Future Identities' highlighted theblurring and complexity ofidentity caused by hyper-connectivity, the ability toseamlessly create syntheticcopies of voices from limiteddata presents an even greaterchallenge to understanding,controlling and facilitating digitalidentity.

For Roger Ebert, having asynthetic voice mimic hisspeaking style was not enough:

TALKING TECHNOLOGY

Dr Matthew Aylett Royal Society Industrial Fellow,Informatics, University ofEdinburgh

“Speech is the mirror of the soul; as a man speaks, so is he” –Publilius Syrus Roman author, 1st century BC

. . . something special about speech . . .

sip WHITSUN 2013 7/5/13 11:19


very much a research question.Commercial speech synthesiscan offer some emotionalvariation but it is very muchlimited compared to virtuosityand flexibility of the humanvoice. Current systems aretypically controlled either by eye-gaze or by typing which makefluid conversation almostimpossible.

Despite the social andmedical need for voicereplacement, this has not beenthe driving force behindincreased current commercialand academic interest in speechsynthesis. Instead it has beenthe popularity of mobile devicesand the advent of pervasivecomputing. Apple's SIRI hasincreased the profile of usingsynthetic speech synthesis toallow our tools and machines tocommunicate with us. A sub-plot of an episode 'The Big BangTheory' explored the idea of oneof the characters falling in lovewith SIRI. Indeed, a machinethat speaks and interacts

through speech can be adisconcerting experience.However the potential power forspeech to be used to makedevices easier to use, and tohelp us manage the everincreasing sea of digital data thatsurrounds us is huge. Speechinterfaces can also offer a non-technical interface that can beused more readily by sectors ofthe community which haveencountered barriers to usingmodern technology.

American companies havebeen quick to see the potential

of this new speech synthesistechnology. Nuance bought twoEuropean rivals in 2011, withboth Google and Amazonfollowing suit. Europe, with itshigh technology infrastructureand multiple languages haspreviously been a dominantplayer in Language technology.

HOW DOES SPEECH SYNTHESIS WORK?

Most commercial speech synthesis systems have a neutralspeaking style and are an example of unit selection orconcatenative synthesis. In simple terms, the synthetic speech ismade from taking lots of small pieces of speech, taken fromrecordings of a human voice, and sticking them together in orderto create the required series of sounds, intonation and voicequality for a new message. Such synthesis systems have fourmain components, a large database of recordings in the order of3-5 hours of speech, a set of features that describe a newphrase or sentence, a search algorithm that finds the best piecesof speech in the database to match these features, and amethod to smoothly glue these pieces together to produce thenew phrase.

The advantage of using this approach is that the normal voicequality of the speaker is retained, and with enough material, thejoins are not noticeable. However the system can only produce

speech in the same style it was recorded in and, if some soundsare missing, they cannot be reproduced.

An alternative approach using a statistical model to abstractthe sounds in a speech database with reference to the contextthe sound appears in. This model is then used to recreatecompletely a speech waveform using digital signal processingtechniques. One advantage is that because no single unit isused, an error in the data will be absorbed into the model andits impact reduced. Another is that if a sound or transitiondoesn’t exist in the data, it can be extrapolated from anotherspeaker’s data. This has three main effects, less data can beused to produce an acceptable quality voice, the synthetic voiceis very stable and intelligible, however the voice quality does notsound as natural.

Current research is also interested in using a hybrid version ofthese systems in order to try and gain the advantages of both.

. . . the voice they are really searching for

is their own . . .

. . . increased commercial interest in

speech synthesis . . .

With stiff competition from Asiatogether with buying power fromthe US, this may be about tochange. There is now only oneindependent speech synthesiscompany in the UK (CereProc)and only one other in the rest ofEurope (Acapela).

SIRI has demonstrated howpowerful speech technologybecomes when connected withlanguage processing and searchtechnology. The ability to offerusers information when they areon the move eyes-free is onlyworthwhile if you haveinformation to give them. Herenatural language processing(NLP) systems are critical. Suchsystems can summarise, searchout and organise informationthat is of personal interest,

speech synthesis can thengenerate personalised podcastsin the same way politicalresearchers summariseinformation for MPs andMinisters. Being able to deliverintelligently summarisedinformation as audio can helpbuild communities, educate, and

allow busy professionals ameans of keeping up to datewith a rapidly changing world.

As we bring ever increasingartificial intelligence (AI)algortihms together with bothspeech technology andcomputer animation, we areable to produce virtualcharacters and virtualrepresentations of ourselves.Such technology is already beingused in computer games, virtualtraining systems and in socialcomputing. A natural sounding,flexible synthetic voice is a keyto these applications.

The ability to give a naturalsounding voice to animatedcharacters, virtual agents androbots using speech synthesis isa reality. The scope for deliveringinformation using synthesis isimmense. However, just as ourown power of speech reflectsour own humanity, so speechsynthesis can add a touch ofhumanity to our machines andtools, and, in the end, thissensation of seeing ourselves inour machines is perhaps themost strange and fascinatingaspect of current speechsynthesis technology.

sip WHITSUN 2013 7/5/13 11:19


The polar regions provide anunrivalled time-machine, givingus insight into past climatesthrough ice cores. As layer afterlayer of snow falls, a climatehistory accumulates. As thesnow compacts to ice it trapstiny bubbles of air with it. Bydrilling down through the ice weare able to delve back in time.From the air bubbles we candetermine the carbon dioxidelevels in the atmosphere in thepast and by analysing the waterin the ice we are able toestimate the temperature (thelatter is possible because theoxygen in the water comes indifferent chemical forms knownas isotopes and the ratio ofthose isotopes varies accordingto the temperature of theatmosphere when the snow wasformed).

As part of an internationaleffort drilling deep into the ice inAntarctica, my colleagues at theBritish Antarctic Survey (BAS)have acquired a climate recordgoing back an incredible eighthundred thousand years – a fullsix hundred thousand yearsbefore Homo Sapiens is thought

to have evolved in Africa. As theorbit of the Earth has movedslowly, over tens of thousands ofyears, closer to or further awayfrom the Sun, the temperaturehas varied between short warmperiods and long, much colderice ages. The carbon dioxidelevels have varied up and downtoo, in step with thetemperature. The evidencesuggests that carbon dioxide isreleased by the ocean inwarmer periods and taken up incooler times. The greenhouseeffect then kicks in and,according to the carbon dioxidelevels in the atmosphere, thetemperature rises or falls further.This all describes the slownatural cycle of climate change.

. . . a climate history accumulates . . .

Dr Emily ShuckburghHead, Open Oceans, British Antarctic Survey

CLIMATE CHANGE AND THE POLAR REGIONSMeeting of the Parliamentary and Scientific Committee on Tuesday 11th December

CLIMATE CHANGE AND THE POLARREGIONS

Fig 1: A section through an ice core showing the trapped bubbles of air(© British Antarctic Survey)

However, since the start ofthe industrial revolution, theburning of fossil fuel has meantcarbon dioxide in theatmosphere has rapidlyincreased by about 40%, to avalue that far exceeds that foundin the ice core record. This hasshort-circuited the natural cycle– changes to the Earth’s orbitare not significant over this brieftime period, but the greenhouseeffect has meant thattemperatures have risensubstantially. Now the averagesurface temperature is about0.8°C warmer than at thebeginning of last century.

Not everywhere has warmedby the same amount: the Arctichas seen the greatest

Stretching back to Scott’s doomed Terra Nova expedition, the enigmaticpolar regions have long been a source of fascination for explorers andscientists alike. Today the polar regions remain a fertile ground forscientific exploration, serving as natural, interdisciplinary laboratories forthe pursuit of new knowledge that can refine our understanding of theEarth system. However, the reality of climate change has meant theyhave taken on a new poignancy, for these frozen worlds are undergoingrapid changes with global impacts.

sip WHITSUN 2013 7/5/13 11:19


temperature increase over thepast few decades and theAntarctic Peninsula has alsoseen considerable change. Ivisited Iqaluit in the CanadianArctic in 2010 and the localpeople told me how thechanges they have seen overrecent decades have impactedtheir daily lives, as their ice-worldrapidly melts into a watery mud-scape. The loss of sea ice in theArctic has been particularlydramatic. The sea ice reaches itsminimum extent each year atthe end of the summer meltseason in September. In 2012 itcovered just 3.4 million squarekilometres, almost 50% lessthan the average coverage over1979-2000. This is a hugereduction in area that is roughlyequivalent to three quarters ofEurope!

The changes to the polarregions can impact the rest ofthe planet. Some recent studieshave linked unusual weather inthe UK and North America tothe decline in Arctic sea ice, anda comprehensive review1 hasdetailed the impact of themelting of the polar ice sheetson global sea level, concludingthat they have collectivelycontributed about 0.6 mm peryear since 1992. Relativelywarm water from the SouthernOcean can be brought up underAntarctica’s ice shelves and meltthem from below. Evidencesuggests that this is resulting inthe loss of ice from the WestAntarctic Ice Sheet2 andassociated sea level rise. About10% of the world’s population,a similar or greater proportion ofthe infrastructure and many ofthe great trading hubs and worldcities are in low-lying coastalregions and are thus at risk fromsea level rise 3.

Despite their similarities there

are also key differencesbetween the Arctic and theAntarctic. The most fundamentalis perhaps that Antarctica is landsurrounded by ocean whereasthe Arctic is an oceansurrounded by land. Aconsequence of this is thatstrong winds are able tocirculate around Antarctica in away that does not happen tothe same extent in the Arctic. Asthe climate changes, theseAntarctic winds are anticipatedto increase in strength and thismay alter the amount of carbondioxide that is taken up by theSouthern Ocean, which atpresent equates to about 10%of man-made emissions, bychanging the ocean circulation.A reduction in the ocean uptakewould mean the atmosphericlevels of carbon dioxide wouldrise faster and that wouldincrease the rate of climatechange.

Unlike in the Arctic where seaice has been decreasingeverywhere, in the Antarcticthere has been a complicatedpattern of sea ice change inrecent years with some regionsshowing an increase and othersa decrease. It has beensuggested that this may be dueto the changing wind patterns 4.Along the Antarctic Peninsula thesea ice has been decreasing,

. . . changing the ocean circulation . . .

. . . no longer emperor penguins

inhabiting Emperor Island . . .

Fig 2: Changes in ice sheet massand the contribution to sea level. Adapted from Shepherd et al,2012.

Fig 3: Estimated number of emperor penguin breeding pairs on EmperorIsland. Black circles indicate counts made during winter and grey circlescounts made later in the breeding season during spring, potentially aftersome egg/chick loss. From Trathan et al, PLOS One, 2012.

which some scientists suspecthas led to ecosystem changes.Shrimp-like krill appear to havedropped in number significantlyover recent decades, perhaps byas much as 80%. A key part oftheir lifecycle is spent under thesea ice and so a change in seaice can have directconsequences. Krill are a centralcomponent of the food weband therefore their demise hasthe potential to affect manyother species. Decreases inpopulations of Adélie andchinstrap penguins have beenobserved along the AntarcticPeninsula 5, and there are nolonger any emperor penguinsinhabiting Emperor Island whereonce there were some 150breeding pairs6. It is not knownwhether these losses are directlyattributable to the sea icechanges, but a link is plausible.

The other critical aspect ofecosystem damage related toman-made carbon dioxideemissions is ocean acidification.The oceans are thought to beacidifying at a faster rate than atany time in the past 300 millionyears. This acidification has aparticular impact on calcareousskeletons or shells of marine lifeand some of the first signs ofdamage to marine snails in theSouthern Ocean have recently

been observed by BASscientists 7.

A final compelling reason tofocus on the polar regions isthat they harbour some of thekey risks of rapid or irreversiblechange such as meltingpermafrost releasing methane,influx of fresh melt waterdisrupting the Gulf Stream andcollapsing ice sheets raising sealevel. The ice core record fromGreenland highlights the factthat dramatic changes haveoccurred in the past, especiallyaround the North Atlantic, withperiods of temperature changein Greenland of 10°C in lessthan a human lifetime. Similarlyin Antarctica dramatic changeshave been observed, such asthe sudden collapse in a matterof weeks of Larsen B ice shelf(more than twice the size of

Greater London), whichoccurred in 2002. Thegeological record indicates thatAntarctica’s ice sheets havevaried in extent considerably inthe past and there are concernsthat large parts of the WestAntarctic Ice Sheet couldcollapse in the future, leadingover several centuries to morethan 3 metres of sea level rise.

Thus the polar regions,though remote, are rightly

sip WHITSUN 2013 7/5/13 11:19


Since the Industrial

Revolution, the Arctic has been

warming more rapidly than any

other region, with an

amplification factor of 2-4 over

the planet as a whole. Since

1850 this rapid warming has

produced a temperature

increase (averaged over the

year) of 3°C for stations north of

60°N, while the planet as a

whole has experienced 0.8°C.

Since 1950 the sea ice extent in

every season has been seen to

be reducing. In particular the

summer (mid-September) sea

ice extent shrank from 8 million

km2 in the 1970s, to only 4.2

million km2 in 2007, and to an

all-time low in 2012 of 3.4

million km2. Viewed from space,

the top of the world now looks

blue instead of white in

summer, a profound change.

This shrinkage is expected to

continue. Some climate models

predict an ‘ice-free’ Arctic

summer by 2040 while others

predict an ice-free September

within a very small number of

years, before 2020 and possibly

as early as 2015. An empirical

analysis based on ice volumes

rather than just areas also

predicts a fundamentally ice-free

Arctic by summer 2015 using

satellite-tracked ice areas and

submarine-surveyed ice

thicknesses. On this basis there

seems little doubt that by

summer 2015 the Arctic Ocean

will be fundamentally ice-free,

with probably a narrow fringe of

older (multi-year) ice remaining

around the north coasts of

Ellesmere Island and Greenland,

these being the only areas

where multi-year ice, once

emblematic of threat posed byman-made climate change, bothin terms of their own survivaland their global impacts.

How then can science helppolicy-makers and society ingeneral make well-informeddecisions concerning the future?The modern industrial economyis deeply rooted in a fossil-fuelbased system, with carbonemissions steadily increasingyear-on-year. An examination ofthe latest climate projections 8

indicates that without action toreduce our emissions we arelikely to move beyond athreshold of 2°C increase inglobal average surfacetemperature compared with pre-industrial times by the middle ofthis century. By the end of thecentury on our current

CLIMATE CHANGE AND THE POLAR REGIONS

CLIMATE CHANGE AND THEPOLAR REGIONS: impacts of adisappearing Arctic sea ice cover

Peter WadhamsProfessor of Ocean Physics,University of Cambridge

emissions trajectory we couldexceed 4°C, taking us into a verydifferent world where the risk ofrapid or irreversible change isgreatly enhanced.

To prevent this, globalemissions need to peak soon –within years rather thandecades 9. That necessitates

transformational change on ascale that is simply not currentlyhappening. Rising to that grandchallenge will require leadershipand political will, together withtechnological and socialinnovation, and the engagementof society as a whole. Successwould mean preserving the

polar regions as a source offascination for future generationsof scientists and explorers, andperhaps more importantlyprotecting society from the worstof the damaging impacts ofclimate change.

References

1 Shepherd et al, Science, 2012

2 Jacobs et al, Nature Geoscience, 2011

3 Foresight report on the InternationalDimensions of Climate Change

4 Holland and Kwok, Nature Geoscience,2012

5 Lynch et al, Ecology, 2012

6 Trathan et al, PLOS One, 2011

7 Bednaršek et al, Global Change Biology,2012

8 Knutti and Sedláček, Nature ClimateChange, 2012

9 Arnell et al, Nature Climate Change,2013

Fig 4: Annual emissions of greenhouse gases and associated globalaverage temperature for three future emissions scenarios. The solid linesshow two ‘business-as-usual’ scenarios: a fossil fuel intensive (A1FI) oneand a more diverse energy mix (A1B). The dashed line shows a strongclimate change mitigation policy where global emissions peak in 2016and decrease by 5% per year thereafter). Adapted from Arnell et al, 2013.

sip WHITSUN 2013 7/5/13 11:19


. . . change in planetary albedo . . .

dominant in the Arctic, retains a

strong presence.

The summer retreat of sea

ice has been accompanied by a

significant decrease in sea ice

extent in other seasons, notably

an earlier start to the spring

retreat, also by a decline of

more than 40% in sea ice

mean thickness and a reduction

of 73% in the frequency of

pressure ridges, which have

always been a significant barrier

to navigation.

This reduction in sea ice area

is having major impacts on both

a regional (Arctic) and a global

scale. Of special concern are

positive feedback loops, where a

change in sea ice extent initiates

another undesirable or

unexpected change. The first of

these is a change in planetary

albedo, leading to an

acceleration of the global

warming rate. Albedo, the

fraction of incoming solar

radiation reflected by a surface,

is high for fresh snow (0.8-0.9)

and even dirty melting snow

and ice (0.5-0.6) but low for

open water or bare land surface

(less than 0.1). This means that

the loss of sea ice area in

summer is associated with a

large increase in absorbed solar

radiation. This is made worse by

the fact that the northern

hemisphere snowline is also

retreating; in June 2012 the

snow area showed a record 6

million km2 negative anomaly

relative to the average for the

past 30 years, clearly driven by

warmer air masses moving over

Arctic land areas due to sea ice

loss in the ocean itself. It has

been estimated that the loss of

summer sea ice and snow area

on land are together giving,

through albedo change, the

same additional global warming

as the last 25 years of added

CO2.

A second easily detected

change is an acceleration in the

summer melt of the surface of

the Greenland ice sheet, leading

to Greenland making a greater

contribution to global sea level

rise. Prior to 1985 no summer

melt was detectable on

Greenland, but the area subject

to melt has steadily increased

(in early July 2012 97% of the

ice sheet surface showed melt)

and Greenland is now

contributing 300 km3 of water

annually to the world ocean (an

average of 142 km3 per year

since 1992, but rising steadily),

making it the largest single

contributor to global sea level

rise. As a result, estimates of

global rise this century are now

being revised upwards: in IPCC

AR4 they were 30-70 cm, but

higher values, with a wider

range of uncertainty, are

expected from AR5. This leads

to an increased risk of disastrous

storm surges in vulnerable areas

like the Bay of Bengal.

In addition, another potential

risk from the Arctic relates to

methane release. Methane is

being released as permafrost on

land slowly melts, and already

global atmospheric methane

levels, stable in the early 2000s,

are being observed to increase,

with the source being identified

by modelling as the Arctic. More

serious and immediate may be

an offshore release. Scientists

estimate that approximately 50

Gt of methane is ready for

abrupt release at any time in the

East Siberian Arctic Shelf area

(ESAS) alone, due to the

shallow continental shelf seabed

warming as summer sea ice

retreats, which causes offshore

permafrost to melt. Recent

observations by Semiletov et al

indicate that underwater

methane release, in the form of

large bubble plumes, is already

occurring in this region.

Economic modelling attributes

$60 trillion in costs to this one

effect, with the economic

burden felt disproportionately

(80%) by poorer regions.

Set against these

unfavourable, and deeply

worrying, regional physical

changes are positive regional

economic opportunities. Oil

exploration and production will

be easier; the favoured option of

a dynamically positioned drillship

supported by a group of

icebreakers breaking up ice

around it to relieve potential

pressure is applicable to first-

year ice areas which now

compose most of the Arctic ice

cover, though the environmental

threat of an under-ice blowout

remains a potent factor.

. . . melt of the surface of the

Greenland ice sheet . . .

. . . more prolific spring plankton

bloom . . .

Shipping will be easier: both the

Northern Sea Route (across the

north of Russia) and the

Northwest Passage are now ice-

free for 2-3 months per year,

and in 2012 40 commercial

ships sailed through the

Northern Sea Route including a

loaded liquified natural gas

(LNG) carrier. In future, with an

ice-free summer Arctic, a true

trans-Arctic shipping route from

Bering Strait to Europe via the

North Pole will be possible, and

even in winter the first-year ice

and lack of pressure ridges will

allow ice-strengthened ships to

cross the Arctic. Already the

retreat of sea ice, and its

penetrability to radiation even

before its disappearance (via

light penetration through melt

pools) are resulting in an earlier

and more prolific spring

plankton bloom in ice-free

regions, suggesting that a future

Arctic will have a high fisheries

potential. Tourism will

undoubtedly flourish. At the

same time, global risks to

various economic sectors will

increase: it has been

hypothesized that the retreat of

sea ice is connected with, and

may be a causal factor for, the

change in shape and nature of

the jet stream which has been a

factor in 2012 drought, crop

losses and weather extremes at

mid-latitudes including Hurricane

Sandy. If this is found to be the

case, then insurance losses

alone make sea ice retreat one

of the most expensive natural

fluctuations currently afflicting

the earth.

sip WHITSUN 2013 7/5/13 11:19


We all know that the Arctic is

the cold bit at the northern end

of the planet, but a functional

definition is actually quite tricky.

An easy choice might be “north

of the Arctic circle”, where the

Arctic circle is the parallel of

latitude 66˚34’ N. For any

latitude at or north of it, the sun

can remain continuously above

(or continuously below) the

horizon for twenty-four hours.

However, this definition would

cut off the southern third of

Greenland, and since Greenland

supports an ice cap about three

kilometres thick, it should

sensibly be included as “Arctic”.

A practical definition would most

likely entail use of the word

“cryosphere”, which means the

part of the planet influenced by

the freezing of water, but more

care is needed: it is snowing in

Hampshire as I write this, but

that does not make Hampshire

part of the Arctic. Similarly,

altitude is relevant: permanent

glaciers exist at the tops of high

mountains, like the Alps and

Kilimanjaro, but they are not

Arctic either.

It is illuminating to take an

imaginary tour around the

latitude circle of 60°N, starting in

the UK: the Shetland Islands

span a degree of latitude, from

Sumburgh Head at 59°51’N to

Muckle Flugga at 60°51’N. The

climate of the Shetlands is cool,

damp and breezy. Now travel

eastwards, across the northern

North Sea to southern

Scandinavia, passing close by

Oslo and Stockholm, then

crossing the Baltic – which

freezes in winter – to the

environs of Helsinki and St.

Petersburg. Stretching ahead are

the trackless wastes of the

Siberian permafrost and tundra,

one-third of the circumference

of the Earth at this latitude –

6000 kilometres. Perhaps the

major geographical features here

are the great rivers – the Lena,

the Yenisei and the Ob – which,

with the many lesser rivers, drain

10% of the Earth’s total flow of

river water into the Arctic Ocean;

and in winter, these rivers freeze.

In clipping the northern end of

the Sea of Okhotsk, our tour

leaves Siberia, passing across

the Kamchatka Peninsula to

enter the Bering Sea, the

northernmost extremity of the

Pacific Ocean, covered with sea

ice in winter at this latitude.

Continuing east, we touch

land on Alaska, running close to

CLIMATE CHANGE AND THE POLAR REGIONS

WHY SHOULD THE UK CAREABOUT THE ARCTIC?An oceans and climate perspective

Dr Sheldon BaconAssociate Head, Marine Physics andOcean Climate,National Oceanography Centre,Southampton

the coast of south central

Alaska; Anchorage is a little to

the north, and Juneau to the

south. Next, the Canadian

interior bears comparison to

Siberia, albeit less extensive. We

soon run into some interesting

bodies of water. Hudson Bay

(which freezes in winter), and

Hudson Strait (which also

freezes in winter), its connection

to the Labrador Sea, a marginal

basin of the North Atlantic. The

Labrador Sea is a very

interesting place because it is

one of very few locations in the

world ocean where deep

convection occurs. Strong, cold,

winter winds pull so much heat

out of the ocean that the water

can become dense enough to

overturn to depths of up to two

kilometres. At the eastern edge

of the Labrador Sea lies Cape

Farewell, the southern tip of

Greenland; then the East

Greenland Current, with its

winter burden of sea ice, much

of which flows out of the Arctic

through Fram Strait, far to the

north. Finally we meet the

temperate waters of the eastern

North Atlantic, and return to the

Shetlands.. . . cut off the southern third of

Greenland . . .

. . . trackless wastes of the Siberian

permafrost . . .

sip WHITSUN 2013 7/5/13 11:19


So all round 60°N, it is not

just the land but also the seas

that freeze hard during winter,

with the exception of the north-

east Atlantic (and the

Shetlands); and it is

straightforward to extend this

analysis to show that it is the

whole north-west European

seaboard, encompassing the

British Isles and western

Norway, that experience a

relatively privileged climate,

notable for its anomalous

warmth. It is said that the UK

has a “maritime” climate, but it

is clear from the tour of 60°N

that simple proximity of a sea or

ocean is not sufficient in itself to

make a maritime climate a

(relatively) warm one. The UK

sits on the east side of a warm

ocean over which westerly

winds blow, and those winds

draw their warmth from ocean

waters which began their

journey to our latitudes far to

the south. So why do we have

warm ocean waters travelling

northwards near the UK?

The answer lies in the

complicated mathematics that

describe fluid flow on a rotating

planet, heated (by the sun)

from above; and there are two

fluids to consider – the

atmosphere, which is not

strongly constrained by

orography, and the ocean, which

is absolutely constrained by

land. To pursue the narrative

explanation rather than the

mathematical, consider the

whole of the Atlantic Ocean,

from its furthest southern part at

its junction with the Southern

(Antarctic) Ocean, north through

the Equator as far as Iceland.

The Atlantic supports a

Meridional Overturning

Circulation (or MOC), where

“Meridional” simply means “in

the north-south sense” (“zonal”

is the adjective describing “east-

west”). It is only in relatively

recent decades that the

importance of the MOC to

climate has been appreciated.

The MOC has been called the

“Conveyor Belt” because (at its

most simple) it represents warm

Atlantic waters travelling

northwards in the upper ocean

(the top kilometre), balanced by

a southward transport of cold

Arctic waters at depth (between

about one and four kilometres

depth). The “Overturning” part

of the MOC describes how the

upper and lower limbs of the

“conveyor” are connected –

deep waters are drawn up to

the surface around Antarctica by

divergence caused by sustained

and powerful winds, while in

the Arctic, the supply of deep

waters is maintained by the

extreme cold making surface

waters dense enough (mainly

through cooling) to sink to great

depths. Labrador Sea convection

(mentioned above) is part of

this sinking process. This has

been called the “pump and

valve” mechanism, where

southern winds (and some

other processes) are the pump

that powers the system, and the

northern manufacture of dense

waters comprise the “valve”, by

opening a connection between

surface and deep waters.

. . . Labrador Sea is a very interesting

place . . .

. . . delivering the heat that makes the UK climate mild . . .

Essentially, the MOC is

responsible for delivering the

heat that makes the UK climate

mild. In 2004, Hollywood

released a somewhat absurd

blockbuster called “The Day

After Tomorrow”; in one

memorable scene, climate is

changing so fast that it chases a

character down a corridor! While

scientists such as the present

writer had a good laugh at the

film’s expense, it was much later

that I realised that there was

one truth contained within this

film: that there is no future

guarantee of a perpetually

benign and stable climate.

Studies of past climate and

modelled scenarios of possible

future climate have revealed a

vulnerability of the MOC. The

addition of large quantities of

fresh water to the northern high-

latitude oceans can act like a lid,

reducing or stopping the deep

convection that opens the

“valve” of the MOC, and thereby

. . . the UK has a “maritime” climate . . .

slowing (or in extreme cases,

stopping) the MOC, with the

effect that the delivery of ocean

heat to the UK’s latitudes is

reduced: in a warming world, it

is possible that localised cooling

may occur. A close study of the

potential sources of increased

fresh water input to the ocean

shows that a sufficient quantity

could be delivered in three

ways: from increased rainfall

over Siberia, which would

intensify the delivery of river

water to the Arctic; by “draining”

a layer of diluted seawater

occupying the upper two

hundred metres of the Arctic

Ocean (this would require a

change in ocean circulation);

and by increasing the rate at

which summertime melting of

the Greenland ice cap occurs. As

a matter of interest, for the

terms of this argument, Arctic

sea ice does not figure strongly

because it is a relatively small

quantity of fresh water. We know

that over the last several

decades, Siberian river flow and

the Greenland melt rate have

been increasing.

So it is indeed possible that

the MOC could be “distressed”,

to the detriment of UK (and

European) climate; but it is

important to note that I have

described a scenario: a set of

circumstances which could

occur, but we do not know how

likely (or unlikely) it is; no

degree of probability is (yet)

ascribed. Some aspects of

climate are very well

understood, such as the impact

of increasing atmospheric

greenhouse gas concentrations

on temperature; but there are

many aspects of the (extremely)

complex climate system which

remain less well-understood,

and in need of further study –

such as the interaction of

oceans and cryosphere and their

impact on climate.

sip WHITSUN 2013 7/5/13 11:19


IMPACT

Infrequent solar superstormsgenerate X-rays and solar radiobursts, accelerate solar particlesto relativistic velocities and causemajor perturbations to the solarwind. These environmentalchanges can cause detrimentaleffects to the electricity grid,satellites, avionics, airpassengers, signals from satellitenavigation systems, mobiletelephones and more. Theyhave consequently beenidentified as a risk to the worldeconomy and society.

Explosive eruptions of energyfrom the Sun which causeminor solar storms on Earth arerelatively common events. Bycontrast, extremely large events(superstorms) occur veryoccasionally – perhaps onceevery century or two. Mostsuperstorms miss the Earth,travelling harmlessly into space.Of those that do travel towardsthe Earth, only half interact withthe Earth’s environment andcause damage.

Since the start of the spaceage, there has been no truesolar superstorm andconsequently our understandingremains limited. There have,however, been a number ofnear misses and these have

caused major technologicaldamage, for example the 1989collapse of part of the Canadianelectricity grid. A superstormwhich occurred in 1859, nowreferred to as the ‘Carringtonevent’ is the largest for whichwe have measurements.

How often superstorms occurand whether the above arerepresentative of the long termrisk is not known and is thesubject of important research.The consensus is that a solarsuperstorm is inevitable, amatter not of ‘if’ but ‘when?’.One contemporary view is that aCarrington-level event will occurwithin a period of 250 yearswith a confidence of ~95%.

Mitigation of solarsuperstorms necessitates anumber of technology-specificapproaches which impliesreducing as much risk as isreasonably possible, and thenadopting operational strategiesto deal with the residual risk. Inorder to achieve the latter, spaceand terrestrial sensors arerequired to monitor the stormfrom its early stages asenhanced activity on the Sunthrough to its impact on Earth.Forecasting a solar storm is achallenge, and currenttechniques deliver limitedadvice.

In a ’perfect storm’ a numberof technologies will besimultaneously affected whichwill substantially exacerbate therisk. Mitigating and maintainingan awareness of the separateand linked risks over the longterm is a challenge forgovernment, for asset ownersand for managers.

ELECTRICITY GRID

A plausible worst casescenario would have a significantimpact on the national electricitygrid. Modelling indicates aroundsix super grid transformers inEngland and Wales and a furtherseven grid transformers inScotland could be damagedthrough geomagneticdisturbances and taken out ofservice. The time to repair wouldbe between weeks and months.In addition, current estimatesindicate a potential for somelocal electricity interruptions of afew hours. Because most nodeshave more than one transformeravailable, not all these failureswould lead to a disconnectionevent. However, National Grid’sanalysis is that around twonodes in Great Britain couldexperience disconnection.

SATELLITES

Some satellites may beexposed to environments inexcess of typical specificationlevels, so increasingmicroelectronic upset rates andcreating electrostatic charginghazards. Fortunately the

Professor Paul S Cannon FREngRoyal Academy of Engineering

SPACE WEATHERMeeting of the Parliamentary and Scientific Committee on Tuesday 26th February

EXTREME SPACE WEATHER; impactson engineered systems andinfrastructure

. . . superstorms occur very

occasionally . . .

sip WHITSUN 2013 7/5/13 11:19


conservative nature of spacecraftdesigns and their diversity isexpected to limit the scale of theproblem. Our best engineeringjudgement, based on the 2003storm, is that up to 10% ofsatellites could experiencetemporary outages lasting hoursto days as a result of theextreme event. It is unlikely thatthese outages will be spreadevenly since some satellitedesigns and constellationswould prove more vulnerablethan others. In addition, thesignificant cumulative radiationdoses would be expected tocause rapid ageing of manysatellites. Very old satellitesmight be expected to start to failin the immediate aftermath ofthe storm while new satelliteswould be expected to survivethe event but with higher riskthereafter from incidence offurther (more common) stormevents.

AIRCRAFT PASSENGERAND CREW SAFETY

Passengers and crewairborne at the time of anextreme event would beexposed to an additional doseof radiation estimated to be upto 20 mSv. This is significantly inexcess of the 1 mSv annual limitfor members of the public froma planned exposure and aboutthree times as high as the dosereceived from a CT scan of thechest. Such levels imply anincreased cancer risk of 1 in1,000 for each person exposed.This must be considered in thecontext of the lifetime risk ofcancer, which is about 30%. Nopracticable method of forecast islikely in the short term since thehigh energy particles of greatestconcern arrive at close to thespeed of light. Mitigation and

post event analysis is neededthrough better onboard aircraftmonitoring. An event of this typewould generate considerablepublic concern.

GROUND AND AVIONICDEVICE TECHNOLOGY

Solar energetic particlesindirectly generate charge insemiconductor materials,causing electronic equipment tomalfunction. There is very littleevidence regarding the impactof solar energetic particles onground infrastructure and it isconsequently difficult toextrapolate to a solarsuperstorm. More evidence ofnormal and storm time impactsis available in respect toavionics. During a solarsuperstorm the avionic risk willbe ~1,200 times higher thanthe background level and thiscould increase pilot workload.Avionics are designed to mitigatefunctional failure of components,

equipment and systems andconsequently they are alsorobust to solar energeticparticles.

GLOBAL NAVIGATIONSATELLITE SYSTEMS(GNSS)

A solar superstorm mightrender GNSS partially orcompletely inoperable forbetween one and three days.The outage period will bedependent on the servicerequirements. For critical timinginfrastructure it is important thatholdover oscillators be deployedcapable of maintaining therequisite performance for theseperiods. UK networked

communications meet thisrequirement. There will bespecialist applications where theloss or reduction in GNSSservices cause operationalproblems. These include aircraftand shipping. Today, the aircraftnavigation system is backed upby terrestrial navigation aids; it isimportant that alternativenavigation options remainavailable in the future.

CELLULAR ANDEMERGENCYCOMMUNICATIONS

The UK’s commercial cellularcommunications networks aremuch more resilient to theeffects of a solar superstormthan those deployed in anumber of other countries(including the US) since theyare not reliant on GNSS timing.The UK implementation of theTerrestrial European TrunkedRadio Access (TETRA)emergency communicationsnetwork is dependent on GNSS.Consequently, mitigationstrategies, already in place, arenecessary.

. . . some satellite designs would

prove more vulnerable . . .

. . . increase pilot workload . . .

HIGH FREQUENCY (HF)COMMUNICATIONS

HF communications are likelyto be inoperable for several daysduring a solar superstorm. HFcommunications are used lessthan hitherto. However, it doesprovide the primary longdistance communications forlong distance aircraft (not allaircraft have satellitecommunications and thistechnology may also fail duringan extreme event). For thoseaircraft in the air at the start of

the event, there are well-definedprocedures in the event of aloss of communications. In theevent of a persistent loss ofcommunications over a widearea, it may be necessary toprevent flights from taking off. Inthis extreme case, there is nodefined mechanism for closingor reopening airspace oncecommunications haverecovered.

MOBILE SATELLITECOMMUNICATIONS

During an extreme spaceweather event, L-band(~1.5GHz) satellitecommunications might beunavailable, or provide a poorquality of service, for betweenone and three days owing toscintillation. The overallvulnerability of L-band satellitecommunications to superstormscintillation will be specific to thesatellite system. For aviationusers the operational impact onsatellite communications will besimilar to HF.

RECOMMENDATIONS

The Royal Academy ofEngineering study [Cannon etal., 2013a; b] makes a numberof technical recommendations.

In order to ensure a spaceweather resilient infrastructurethe Academy recommends thata UK Space Weather Board beset up with cross-governmentdepartment responsibilities.

References

Cannon, P. S., et al. (2013a), Extremespace weather: Impacts on engineeredsystems - a summary, Report., ISBN 1-903496-96-9, Royal Academy ofEngineering, London, UK.

Cannon, P. S., et al. (2013b), Extremespace weather: Impacts on engineeredsystems, Report., ISBN 1-903496-95-0,Royal Academy of Engineering, London,UK.

. . . well-defined procedures in the event

of a loss of communications . . .

sip WHITSUN 2013 7/5/13 11:19


. . . satellites have demonstrated

resilience to space weather . . .

SPACE WEATHER

SPACE WEATHER: A space insurance perspective

David WadeSpace Underwriter, Atrium SpaceInsurance Consortium

Since the Space Age began55 years ago, approximately6,500 satellites have beenlaunched. Approximately 1,000of these satellites are still active1.Society has become increasinglyreliant upon the servicesprovided by satellites. Spaceweather is known to pose a perilto satellites and in extremeevents it is likely that a numberof satellites will suffer temporaryoutages, and a small numbermay be permanently lost.

Whilst satellites have so fardemonstrated their resilience tospace weather, a true stress testof an extreme space weatherevent has not occurred duringthe Space Age. Are we preparedfor such an event?

RELIANCE

The prominence of satelliteservices has increasedsignificantly over the past tenyears. Forty per cent of UKhouseholds now receive theirtelevision service via satellite 2

and satellite navigation hasspawned a vast number of newservices and efficiency gains.Delivery companies, forexample, have reduced fuelconsumption by 13% whilstincreasing fleet utilisation by27% through the use of satellitenavigation3 and precisionagriculture has improved cropyields and reduced the use offertiliser and pesticide. In theyears to come, new satellite-based services will allowshipping to be trackedworldwide to the benefit ofnational security and safely allowa reduction in the separation of

aircraft to cater for the increasingdensity of air traffic.

The annual worldwiderevenue of the satellite servicessector has grown from US$ 46.4billion in 20014 to US$ 107.7billion in 20111. This onlyaccounts for the direct sale ofsatellite services. Revenue fromdownstream services, such asthe use of the Global PositioningSystem (GPS) are not includedwithin this figure, yet satellitenavigation services alreadyaccount for between 6% and7% of the gross domesticproduct of Western countries;approximately €800 billion inthe European Union alone 5.

EFFECTS ON SATELLITES

The near-Earth spaceenvironment is characterised bytwo toroidal radiation beltsgirdling the Earth, known as theVan Allen radiation belts. LowEarth Orbiting (LEO) satellites inSun-synchronous or polar orbitssuch as those used for imagingpurposes and Medium EarthOrbit (MEO) satellites used fornavigation are exposed to theinner radiation belt. The designof satellites operating in theseorbits needs to account for thesignificant radiation dose suchsatellites will receive over theirlifetimes. The 400 or sogeostationary satellites, such asthose used for communicationservices, reside in geostationaryorbit, 36,000 km above the

equator. At this location thesatellites orbit within the outerradiation belt and are exposedto solar events which cansignificantly enhance thebackground radiation levels.

Charging, both on thesurface of the spacecraft, asdifferent regions, perhaps withdifferent materials, charge todifferent levels, and internalcharging, as high energyelectrons penetrate into thebody of the spacecraft canoccur and can damage sensitivemicroelectronic components.Energetic protons will reducethe efficiency of solar cellswhich may, for example, requirecommunications channels to beturned off to compensate forthe loss of power. Ions willproduce single event effects(SEE’s) which are oftentemporary in nature, but whichcan cause permanent physicaldamage in a minority of cases.During an extreme spaceweather event a satellite mayalso receive sufficient radiationto exceed its specified lifetimedose. Whilst this rarely leads tolosses, it does age the satellitewhich may require plans toreplace the satellite to bebrought forward6.

Little can be done to reducethe risk posed to a satellite byan extreme space weatherevent once the satellite is inorbit, although satellite operatingcompanies may choose to

sip WHITSUN 2013 7/5/13 11:19


suspend manoeuvres, or call inextra satellite controllers to copewith any anomalies that doresult.

SPACE INSURANCEEXPERIENCE

With little chance to reactonce a satellite has beenlaunched it is essential that thesatellite has been designed towithstand the environmentwithin which it is expected tooperate.

Satellites are affected by thespace environment and 19% 7

of satellite anomalies aredeemed to be, at least in part,attributable to space weather.An anomaly however can be assimple as a device suffering aspurious switch off which canbe reset. In many such casesthe end user of the satelliteservice would not even beaware that an anomaly hadtaken place. In other cases,where a satellite loses its abilityto point, for example, ananomaly may result in atemporary outage which would

require ground intervention.Only in a small number ofincidents, where permanentphysical damage is caused tothe satellite and the value of theasset is impaired will aninsurance claim be payable.

Over the past 25 years,space insurance claims due tospace weather have amountedto US$ 275 million; just 2% ofthe total claims of US$ 12.3billion. Does this mean that thespace insurance community canignore the effects of spaceweather? Absolutely not! Claimsdue to space weather may be asmall proportion of the totalclaims paid, but an extreme

space weather event still posesthe ultimate low frequency, highseverity risk that the spaceinsurance community faces.

REALISTIC DISASTERSCENARIOS

For insurance underwritingpurposes, realistic disasterscenarios (RDS’s) are defined 8

so that estimates can bemaintained of the worst caseloss that may result from aparticular event. The spaceRDS’s are being revised, but twoRDS’s related to space weatherare currently included in theupdated definitions.

In the first of these scenariosan anomalously large solarproton event is envisaged. Theevent would last long enoughthat all satellites, particularlythose in geostationary orbit,would be exposed to the protonstream. The increased flux of

protons would degrade theefficiency of the satellite’s solararrays. Many satellites havepower margins in excess of thatrequired, and space insurancepolicies include minimum powermargins that must bemaintained. Other policies coversatellites on a total loss onlybasis. Such policies will not betriggered by an attritional loss ofpower. Taking these factors intoaccount, and based on the US$ 23.5 billion of insuredexposure in-orbit as of January2013, an insurance loss ofapproximately US$ 1 billionwould be expected under thisscenario.

. . . degrade the efficiency of the

satellite’s solar arrays . . .

. . . an anomaly may result in a

temporary outage . . .

The second space weather

RDS considers a defective

satellite design or a

workmanship issue which leaves

a particular system or

component sensitive to space

weather effects. With many

satellite manufacturers launching

numerous examples of the

same type of satellite,

differences, albeit minor, in

workmanship and build quality

can affect the sensitivity, thus it

is realistic that a small number

of satellites could become total

losses. With many satellites’insured values exceeding US$ 300m and some exceedingUS$ 400m, a loss of up to US$ 1.2 billion for this scenariois feasible.

These figures only representthe loss to the space insurancemarket. The loss of revenue forthe satellite operating company,as well as from downstreamservices, would make the trueeconomic impact many timesgreater than the insurance loss.It is impossible to determine anaccurate figure, the total lossfrom a single extreme spaceweather event would be in theregion of tens of billions ofdollars.

NOT ARMAGEDDON

Although we have notexperienced an extreme spaceweather event during the SpaceAge, experience suggests thatsatellites have been able to

. . . differences in build quality . . .

demonstrate a good degree ofresilience. An extreme eventmay be expected to result in atemporary outage of as many asone hundred satellites 6, or 10%of the in-orbit fleet, with a muchsmaller number permanentlydisabled by the event. With theever-increasing reliance we placein satellite services, there is noroom for complacency. We needto continue to monitor thespace environment, improve ourmodels, learn how to forecastand fully incorporate thesemodels into the design processto make sure we are not caughtoff guard the next time anextreme event occurs.

References

1 State of the Satellite Industry Report,

Satellite Industry Association,

September 2012

2 Ofcom Communications Market Report

2012

3 GPS Bringing Cost and Time Savings to

Field Services, Blackberry Connection,

June 2008

4 Steady Growth for Satellite Industry in

2001, Satellite Industry Association, July

2002

5 Global Navigation Satellite Systems:

Reliance and Vulnerabilities, Royal

Academy of Engineering, 2011

6 Extreme Space Weather: Impacts on

Engineered Systems and Infrastructure,

Royal Academy of Engineering, 2013

7 Atrium Space Insurance Consortium

Anomaly Database

8 Realistic Disaster Scenarios: Scenario

Specifications, Lloyd’s, January 2013

. . . no room for complacency . . .

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SPACE WEATHER

EXTREME SPACE WEATHER; impacts on engineered systemsand infrastructure

Chris TrainNetwork Operations Director,National Grid

National Grid operates thehigh voltage electricitytransmission network in GreatBritain, and owns thetransmission network in Englandand Wales. In England andWales the transmission voltagesare 400 KV and 275 KV, and inScotland 132 KV is also used.The network has over 7900 kmof overhead lines andunderground cables feeding into over 900 substations, withapproximately 1400 high voltagetransformers. In an extremespace weather event, magneticmaterial that crosses theinterplanetary space from thesun to the earth induces electricfields in the interior of the earth.If the local geology is resistant tothe flow of electric current, thenthese geomagnetically inducedcurrents are forced out of theground, passing through theearthing cables of the highvoltage transformers, flow alongthe transmission lines andcables, returning to earth

through transformer earths atthe far end of the line. Thehigher the voltage, the lower theresistance of the transmissionlines, so the more likely it is thatthese induced currents will flowinto the system. We arefortunate that, unlike manycountries, we do not havevoltages above the 400 KV level.

Effects from space weatherdisturbances have been knownfor many years, but it was onlyin the second half of thetwentieth century that electricitygrids became developedenough for effects to manifestthemselves on transmissionnetworks. The first and so farlargest space weather eventknown occurred in 1859. Theinitial disturbance on the sunwas observed by the Britishastronomer Richard Carrington –hence the Carrington Event.Clearly there was no electricitytransmission network in 1859,but there was widespread

disruption to the telegraphnetwork in Europe and NorthAmerica. Estimates put theseverity of the Carrington Eventat 1% or less. Other stormsworthy of note that haveoccurred during the time periodsince the development ofelectric grids include the 1989Quebec Blackout storm and the2003 Halloween storm. In 1989a storm about 10 times lessintense than the CarringtonEvent caused the collapse of thegrid in the Canadian province ofQuebec, bringing the networkdown within 90 seconds. Effectswere felt much less in the UK,but two transformers on the GBgrid were damaged andremoved from service.

Electricity grids are affectedby space weather eventsbecause of the effect ofgeomagnetically inducedcurrents on high voltagetransformers. These currentsappear to the transformer asdirect currents, rather than thealternating currents they aredesigned to operate with. Theycause an enormous

National Grid takes the threat of disruption from severe space weatherseriously. We work with government, industry, academia and otherorganisations to understand and combat this threat. National Grid hasmodelled the impact of an extreme space weather event on thenational transmission network and has concluded that widespreaddamage resulting in decade-long disruption to power supplies isunrealistic. A 1 in 100 year space weather event could cause damageand some short term (on the order of 12-24 hours) disruption, butNational Grid’s policies and operational procedures would minimise theimpact on end users of the electricity network.

. . . collapse of the grid in Quebec . . .

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intensification of the magneticfield inside the transformer.There are three consequencesof this saturation of thetransformer’s internal magneticfield. First, the magnetic energyescapes from the core of thetransformer, and along theescape paths there are intenselocalised heating effects. Thetransformer’s coolant overheats,setting off alarms whichdisconnect the transformer, andin the worst cases insulation cancatch fire causing irreparabledamage. Secondly, thetransformer is operating outsideits design parameters. Itbecomes a consumer of“reactive power”. This causes thevoltage on the network in thelocal vicinity to fluctuate, gettinglower, and there is a danger thatthe voltage can collapse to zero,which leads to a power outage.There are devices on thenetwork to stabilise the voltageagainst these fluctuations.However, these are sensitive todistortions – harmonics – in thewaveform of the alternatingcurrent, and are protected byautomatic relays. Unfortunatelythe third effect of the inducedcurrents is to distort thewaveform coming out of thetransformer, making it morelikely that the relays protectingthe corrective equipment willtrip, and remove the devicesfrom service just when they aremost needed. It was acombination of these two lattereffects that caused the Quebecblackout in 1989.

In order to understand theeffects of an extreme spaceweather event on today’stransmission network, NationalGrid has modelled the effects ofa Carrington-like event. Thisinvolves modelling the magnetic

field caused by the impact ofthe coronal mass ejection, thecurrents generated deep withinthe earth’s crust, the localgeology below our feet, down tomore than 500 km, theelectrical properties of thetransmission grid as the currentflows up into 7900 km oftransmission lines, and the effectof the induced currents on thehigh voltage transformers, givingtheir likelihood of failure. The riskthat National Grid was mostkeen to address was thewidespread damage to highvoltage transformers. This isbecause these 3 to 4 millionpound-worth machines takeseveral years to build, and theworldwide manufacturingcapability for them is low. If theUK and other majorindustrialised countries neededlarge numbers of transformerreplacements it would be manyyears before electricity gridswere as resilient and robust asthey are today. National Grid’sanalysis shows that widespreaddamage is unrealistic, althoughsome transformer damagewould probably occur, on theorder of 15 transformerscountrywide. However, theelectricity grid has moretransformers on it than areneeded to ensure that it isresilient to multiple failures.National Grid carries a stock ofspare transformers. Thesefactors make it unlikely thatthere would be significantimpacts on the public. Wheredamage does occur theredundant transformers wouldtake up the burden until areplacement could beinstalled – this is a large scaleundertaking, and takes at least8-16 weeks. It is possible thatone or two small substations inrelatively unpopulated areas

could find their substation out ofaction, and special measureswould have to be taken, inconjunction with the localdistribution operators, tominimise the inconvenience.

More likely is the scenario ofvoltage fluctuations. In areasdependent on the precisestructure of the particular event,the induced currents will causelocalised problems on thenetwork, which may lead topower outages. While serious forpeople affected, National Gridhas well developed plans forrestoration of power, typicallywithin 12 hours. The effects aremuch more short term than theprevious (fortunately unrealistic)scenario of widespread collapse.

National Grid has beenpreparing for extreme spaceweather since realising theimplications from the experienceof the 1989 storm. As time haspassed scientific understandingof the phenomenon hasincreased and understanding ofthe potential risks hasdeveloped. Since 1999 newNational Grid transformers havebeen built to a higher standardto improve their tolerance togeomagnetically inducedcurrents. We have alsosubstantially increased ourspares holding. Some aspects ofthe design of our grid give anatural resilience against spaceweather: we do not use ultra-high voltages, the line lengthsare relatively short, the networkis highly connected, substationshave extra resilience through theredundancy of operationalspares. All these factors help tomitigate the risk.

National Grid continuallymonitors the state of the sun,looking for signs of impendingspace weather events. We have

close contacts with spaceweather prediction bodies, andhave a bespoke monitoringsystem designed in conjunctionwith the British GeologicalSurvey, who also provide us withspace weather forecasts. Wehave carefully rehearsedoperational plans for minimisingthe impact of a space weatherevent through operationalprocedures. The operationalprocedures are similar in manyways to the procedures weemploy in times of exceptionalterrestrial weather, and NationalGrid has an exemplary trackrecord in managing these risks.

One mitigating technologywe have not yet used areblocking devices. These claim tobe able to interrupt the flow ofthe induced currents whileallowing the normal alternatingcurrent to flow unimpeded.Such devices are at present intheir infancy – only onemanufacturer has developedsuch a device – and there ismuch testing and trialling of thetechnology to be done beforeNational Grid decides whethersuch devices are suitable for oursystem. We are keeping a closewatching brief on thesedevelopments.

The science of space weatherand its impacts on ourtechnological infrastructure isdeveloping fast, but muchremains to be learnt. NationalGrid is at the forefront ofinternational efforts tounderstand and prepare forsuch events. We work closelywith partners in government,industry, academia andinternational partners to developthe knowledge and expertise toprotect out customers and ourcountry against this and otherthreats.

. . . well developed plans for

restoration of power . . .

. . . National Grid has an exemplary

track record . . .

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INTERNET AND WEB PIONEERSWIN THE INAUGURALQUEEN ELIZABETH PRIZEFOR ENGINEERING

On 18 March 2013, the first Queen ElizabethPrize for Engineering (QEPrize) was awarded tofive pioneering individuals who collectivelycreated one of the most complex andexceptional systems: the Internet, the WorldWide Web and the Mosaic web browser.

The announcement of the winners was made by Lord Browne,in the presence of Princess Anne and politicians of all parties:Rt. Hon Oliver Letwin, Rt. Hon Vince Cable, Chuka Umunna, aswell as other Members of the Commons and the Lords. Theformal prize ceremony will take place on 25 June 2013, whenHer Majesty the Queen will present the award to Dr RobertKahn, Dr Vinton Cerf, Louis Pouzin, Sir Tim Berners-Lee FREngand Marc Andreessen.

The distinguished panel of international judges made theirdecision in a dramatic final meeting a few days before theannouncement. This followed a long and detailed judging processover the preceding months involving two groups of Royal Academyof Engineering fellows, one which solicited nominations and theother which sifted through them. The quality and range of entrieswas extremely high and were received from all over the world.

The judging panel for the inaugural cycle comprised: ProfessorFrances Arnold, Lord Broers (Chair), Professor Brian Cox, MadamDeng Nan, Professor Lynn Gladden, Diane Greene, Professor JohnHennessy, Professor Dr Dr h.c. Reinhard Hüttl, Professor Calestous

Juma, Professor Hiroshi Komiyama, Dr Dan Mote, Narayana Murthy,Dr Nathan Myhrvold, Professor Choon Fong Shih and PaulWestbury.

The QEPrize was launched in November 2011 to identify,reward and celebrate an outstanding advance in engineering, for upto three individuals, which has proved of global benefit to humanity.All three party political leaders attended and addressed the launchand there has been Cross-Party consensus in the prize's goals.Awarded every other year, the winners, of any nationality, will havebeen responsible for advancing the application of engineeringknowledge that has produced tangible and widespread publicbenefit. In exceptional circumstances, the prize can be awarded tomore than three individuals and in reviewing the nominations theinternational team of judges concluded that just such an exceptionshould be made.

The Internet and the World Wide Web, integral to the lives ofover 2bn people worldwide, have revolutionised the way wecommunicate and access information. Kahn, Cerf and Pouzindeveloped the Internet and protocol standards, which provide thefundamental infrastructure needed to connect billions of computersto each other. Berners-Lee’s Web builds on this, allowing access toa huge amount of information. Andreessen made this informationinfinitely easier to access, with the creation of a user-friendlybrowser and made it available to everyone. Lord Broers, Chairmanof the Judging Panel, described the achievement as the “biggestpiece of hardware ever built… these five visionary engineers, neverbefore honoured as a group, led the key developments that shapedthe Internet and Web as a coherent system and brought them intopublic use.”

The judges considered that the technical prowess of the winninggroup of five engineers was equalled by their generosity in sharingtheir work freely. Their approach allowed the Internet and the Webto be adopted rapidly around the world and to grow organicallythanks to open and universal standards. Together thesetechnologies led to the information revolution, of as muchsignificance as the industrial and agricultural revolutions were intheir day and are now used by over a third of the world'spopulation. The Prime Minister, David Cameron, said of thewinners; “The Internet and the World Wide Web… are engineeringinnovations that have given rise to new industries, and a hugenumber of jobs. They have enabled the world to access informationand knowledge as never before.”

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The Internet and the Web have grown from modestbeginnings to hosting over 50 billion pages ofinformation today. All five winners have beeninstrumental in guiding this process, technically andpolitically.

This award was created to raise the profile ofengineering and to emphasize its importance to society,celebrating achievement along the way. Vint Cerfdescribed this succinctly; “The Queen Elizabeth Prize forEngineering is a stunning and welcomed recognition ofthe power of engineering to effect change.”

With this award, the next stages will be equallyimportant; encouraging young people to think deeplyabout engineering, and society to appreciate its breadthand scope. “I firmly believe our field’s best days areahead of us,” said Andreessen, “and I can’t wait to seewhat the next generation of engineers will accomplish.”

SET FOR BRITAIN 2013On Monday 18th March SET for Britain 2013, the annual poster competition and exhibition, washeld in the House of Commons Terrace Marquee. Andrew Miller MP, Chairman of theParliamentary and Scientific Committee, acted as host to early-career researchers from all overthe country who brought their posters to Westminster to take part in the competition and topresent their research to their local Members of Parliament. During the course of the day theSET for Britain organisers were delighted to welcome 77 Parliamentarians from both Houses.

The competition was dividedinto three sections: PhysicalSciences (Chemistry andPhysics), Engineering, andBiological and BiomedicalSciences. The posters in eachsection were judged by expertsfrom the Royal Society of

Chemistry, the Institute of

Physics, the Royal Academy of

Engineering, the Society of

Biology and The Physiological

Society.

The judges’ difficult task had

begun two months earlier with

the selection of 180 posters (60

in each section) for the

exhibition from a field of over

500 high quality entries.

Medals were awarded to the

winners in each discipline,

together with Gold, Silver and

Bronze Awards of cash prizes.These awards were madepossible by generous donationsfrom INEOS Group, BP, EADS,Airbus, AgChemAccess, Essar,GAMBICA, WMG and theInstitute of Biomedical Science.

Finally, the winners of thefour Gold awards were judgedon the strength of their skill incommunicating the scientificconcept in their poster by DrDavid Dent, Dr Doug Naysmithand Andrew Miller MP. TheWestminster Medal, donated bythe SCI in memory of Dr EricWharton, who established SETfor Britain, and ran the eventsfor many years with his wifeSue, was presented to DrValeska Ting, winner of the Goldaward in the Engineeringsession.

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PRIZE WINNERSCHEMISTRY

Gold Award: £3,000 andRoscoe Medal: Mr ChristopherSpicer, Department ofChemistry, University of Oxford:SUZUKI BIOLOGY: PALLADIUMMEDIATED REACTIONS UNDERAMBIENT CONDITIONS

Silver Award: £2,000: MrStephen Bromfield,Department of Chemistry,University of York: HEPARINRESCUE: SELF-ASSEMBLINGNANOSYSTEMS AS POTENTIALPROTAMINE REPLACEMENTS

Bronze Award: £1,000: MrTimothy Rooney, Departmentof Chemistry, University ofOxford: DEVELOPING SMALLMOLECULE INHIBITORS OF THECREBBP BROMODOMAIN-HISTONE INTERACTION

PHYSICS

Gold Award: £3,000 andCavendish Medal: Miss ClaireWoollacott, School of Physics,University of Exeter: DIRAC-LIKEPLASMONS IN HONEYCOMBLATTICES OF METALLICNANOPARTICLES

Silver Award: £2,000: MrChristian Baker, Acoustics andIonising Radiation, NationalPhysical Laboratory: IMPROVEDULTRASOUND CT OF BREASTSFOR CANCER SCREENING

Bronze Award: £1,000: MsEmma Wisniewski-Barker,Physics and Astronomy,University of Glasgow: SLOWDARKNESS

Chemistry Prizewinners:Tom Crotty (Director, INEOS Group), Dr Stephen Benn, Christopher Spicer (Chemistry Gold Award Winner),Andrew Miller MP, Professor Lesley Yellowlees (President, Royal Society of Chemistry), Stephen Bromfield(Chemistry Silver Award Winner), Steve Brambley (Deputy Director, GAMBICA), Timothy Rooney (ChemistryBronze Award Winner), Paul Biebuyck (Registrations Manager, AgChemAccess).

Physics Gold Award:Tom Crotty (Director INEOS Group), Claire Woollacott(Physics Gold Award Winner), Dr Stephen Benn andAndrew Miller MP

Chemistry Gold Award:Tom Crotty (Director, INEOS Group), ChristopherSpicer (Chemistry Gold Award Winner), Andrew Miller MP

Physics Prizewinners:Tom Crotty (Director INEOS Group), Christian Baker (Physics Silver Award Winner), Dr Stephen Benn, ProfessorSir Peter Knight (President, Institute of Physics), Claire Woollacott (Physics Gold Award Winner), Andrew MillerMP, Paul Biebuyck (Registrations Manager, AgChemAccess), Emma Wisniewski-Barker (Physics Bronze AwardWinner), and Steve Brambley (Deputy Director, GAMBICA).All photos ©Society of Biology

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ENGINEERING

Gold Award: £3,000 and Engineering Medal: Dr Valeska Ting,Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Bath: PUSHINGHYDROGEN TO THE LIMIT: ENGINEERING NANOMATERIALSYSTEMS FOR STORAGE OF SOLID-LIKE HYDROGEN

Silver Award: £2,000: Dr Paul Richmond, Automatic Control andSystems Engineering, University of Sheffield: HIGH PERFORMANCEMASSIVE SCALE AGENT-BASED SIMULATION

Bronze Award: £1,000: Mr George Gordon, Electrical Engineering,University of Cambridge: MODE-DIVISION MULTIPLEXING FORULTRAFAST OPTICAL FIBRE COMMUNICATIONS

Andy Slaughter MP and Mark Glanville

Anne Milton MP and Samantha Rason

Omar Abdelkerim and Rt HonHazel Blears MP

Jim Cunningham MP and Jesper Christensen

Thomas Hoskins and Shabana Mahmood MP

Engineering Group PrizewinnersNeil Scott (Vice President, Engineering, Airbus), Dr David Clark (Principal Fellow, WMG), Philip Greenish (Royal Academy of Engineering), GeorgeGordon (Bronze Award Winner), Dr Stephen Benn, Dr Valeska Ting (Gold Award Winner), Andrew Miller MP, Dr Paul Richmond (Silver Award Winner),Volker Schultz (CEO, Essar Oil UK Ltd) and Mrs Sue Wharton.

Engineering Gold Award:Philip Greenish (Royal Academy of Engineering), Dr Valeska Ting (GoldAward Winner) and Neil Scott (Vice President, Engineering, Airbus).

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BIOLOGICAL AND BIOMEDICAL SCIENCES

Gold Award: £3,000 and GW Mendel Medal: Miss Joanna Brunker, Medical Physics and Bioengineering, University College London:PHOTOACOUSTIC DOPPLER FLOWMETRY: STUDY OF BLOOD FLOW IN TUMOURS

Silver Award: £2,000: Mr Nick Morant, Research and Development, GeneSys Ltd/University of Bath: PATHOGEN DETECTION: FAST,SIMPLE, PORTABLE

Bronze Award: £1,000: Dr Nicola Hemmings, Animal and Plant Sciences, University of Sheffield: HOW EXAMINING EGGS CAN SAVEENDANGERED SPECIES

WESTMINSTER MEDAL

Westminster Medal in memoryof Dr Eric Wharton (overallwinner): Dr Valeska Ting,Department of ChemicalEngineering, University of Bath:PUSHING HYDROGEN TO THELIMIT: ENGINEERINGNANOMATERIAL SYSTEMS FORSTORAGE OF SOLID-LIKEHYDROGEN

The four Gold Award Winners compete for the Westminster Medal, which was won by Dr Valeska Ting.

Jason McCartney MP andJennifer Norcliffe

Frank Doran MP andNooreen Akhtar

Sir Gerald Howarth MP and NickMorant, winner of the Silver award

Bioscience Gold Award:Professor Jonathan Ashmore FRS (President, The Physiological Society),John Pierce (Chief Bioscientist, BP), Dr Mark Downs (Society of Biology),Joanna Brunker (Gold Award Winner), Dr Stephen Benn (Society ofBiology).

Bioscience Prizewinners:The Rt Hon Lord Jenkin of Roding, Dr Mark Downs (Society of Biology), Professor Jonathan Ashmore FRS(President, The Physiological Society), Joanna Brunker (Gold Award Winner), Dr Stephen Benn (Society ofBiology), Dr Nicola Hemmings (Silver Award Winner), Andrew Miller MP, Nick Morant (Silver Award Winner),Derek Bishop (President, Institute of Biomedical Science), John Pierce (Chief Bioscientist, BP).

All photos ©Society of Biology

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VOICE OF THE FUTUREStephen McGinnessHouse of Commons Science and Technology Committee

The Speaker opened the event,seen with Stephen Benn

There were severalpracticalities. A select committeeis not a free for all question festand to be truly within theCommittee’s interests there hadto be some element of scientistslearning about how a committeeworks. Having been sold on theidea, the Committee was keento promote the connectionbetween scientists and thepolicy that set the frameworkwithin which they operated. DrBenn set about the potential ofadding the Minister.

In the end, he secured notonly the Minister but theShadow Minister and even theSpeaker of the House ofCommons to open the event.

The first Voice of the Future in2012 was a great success.Everyone turned up, questionswere asked and answered and itwas broadcast on BBCParliament. It did not, however,do everything envisaged. It wasnot broadcast live, which madecommentary and receipt ofquestions much more difficult.Neither did it have the ChiefScientific Adviser answeringquestions. There were also awhole range of practical issuesthat only emerge when youactually try to DO something.

The second event in March2013 showed progress. Therewas a better handling ofquestions; more organised

distribution of those questionsamongst participants; livebroadcasting, from both theparliament website and fromBBC Parliament; and it featuredthe participation of theGovernment Chief ScientificAdviser. This was more like thesuccess sought for the firstevent.

While the key concept ofyoung scientists asking questionsseems an easy one, there is ahuge set of logistics in gatheringtogether the questions, makingsure as many of the learnedsocieties as possible get thespotlight, ensuring the questionsare appropriate for the context,and in deciding who will ask

what question. Our learning onquestions was not about makingthem appropriate; it was abouttrying to ensure people wereaware they would be asking aquestion, and that they wouldbe in place at the right time. Itwould be almost as pointlessasking politicians about details ofscience as asking scientistsabout Parliamentary procedure.You might get an answer, it mayeven be correct, but it would beunlikely to provide any insight.

The questions are submittedvia learned societies and arechosen for particular witnesses,edited to make them easier toread out, and for witnesses tounderstand, grouped into

The Voice of the Future was a concept pitched to the Science andTechnology Select Committee by Dr Stephen Benn, a tirelesscampaigner within the science policy community. Currently employedby the Society of Biology, Dr Benn first came to the Committee with theidea for Voice of the Future in 2012. He had a ‘crazy’ idea about theselect committee being asked questions by young scientists andpossibly even the Science Minister.

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Sarah Newton MP and Stephen Metcalfe MP

Sir John Beddington, Government ChiefScientific Adviser

The Select Committee

Shabana Mahmood MP, Shadow Minister forUniversities and Science

Rt Hon David Willetts MP, Minister forUniversities and Science

themes and allocated to individuals. As faras possible the original sense of thequestion is retained. There is a very limitedamount of time and a desire to allow asmany people as possible to ask a question.That meant that there was rarely time tofacilitate supplementary questions.

It may not be surprising but commonthemes through the submitted questionswere participation of women and sciencecareers. I think these were the hardestquestions to answer because the solutionsneed to address problems that aresystemic, chronic and of concern to thoseasking the questions in the mostfundamental way.

The Science Minister, Rt Hon DavidWilletts MP, set out the compromises to bemade in the provision of universityeducation and the support for earlyacademic careers, and where othercountries had made different decisions. Hepointed out that just because a scientistwas not in academia did not mean thatthey were not pursuing a scientific career.All agreed that a way had to be found to

ensure women are better represented atthe high tables of science. Pamela NashMP possibly hit the nail on the head whenshe indicated that science has probablygone further along that line thanParliament. This may be somethingscientists and universities need to sort out,rather than government and politicians.

As one of the organisers, I believe thatVoice of the Future was a success. It isamazing that, on budget day, a Minister, a

shadow Minister and eight SelectCommittee Members prioritised their timeto attend. That shows commitment fromour political classes. I was also impressedwith the number of young scientists willingto spend a morning away from the lab totalk policy. We need that engagement.

What needs to change? We have someway to go to ensure that the scientistsattending leave with an appreciation ofwhat Parliament is and what they canexpect from it. The format needs sometweaking. If there was one aspect thatparticipants found difficult (garnered from a

few after event conversations and twittercommentary) was that the questions weretoo ‘stand alone’. The politicians were notsubjected to intense scrutiny.

This is part of the learning that takesplace after each iteration. It would beinteresting to hear from the learnedsocieties, and from those who attended,about what is important. Time is limitedand there are many people who would liketo be involved.

What is more important? Is it better tocover a range of issues with less follow-upand more people involved or would it bebetter to focus on a smaller range of issuesthat provide fewer people a better chanceto challenge responses?

Voice of the Future is an importantplatform for scientists and politicians to talkscience. I hope that this year’s event wasbetter than last year’s and that we will seecontinued improvement in both the formatand in the engagement from the sciencecommunity.

To watch Voice of the Future, go tohttp://www.parliament.uk/ science/ andfollow the link to Voice of the Future 2013on the S&T Select Committee’s homepage.

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THE BIG BANG FAIR

A record number of visitors,interactive activities and specialguests made up the UK’s largestcelebration of science andengineering for young people.

The Fair offered over 100activities and live performancesdesigned to bring science andengineering to life for youngpeople, from custard-powderflame-throwers and vegetable-orchestras with Gastronaut Liveto a journey through a humanbody with the NHS.

Prime Minister DavidCameron, Business SecretaryVince Cable, and EqualitiesMinister Jo Swinson wereamong those who visited.

Prime Minister DavidCameron said: “If we’re going tosucceed as a country, we needto train more scientists andmore engineers and we needmore women to go into theseareas. Kids can come here andsee what science can do totackle problems but it alsoinspires and excites.”

The finals of the 2013National Science + EngineeringCompetition were held at theFair.

Fred Turner, 17, from CrossleyHeath School in Halifax wasnamed UK Young Engineer ofthe Year, having impressed thejudges with his project Geneticsat Home, a fully workingPolymerase Chain Reaction(PCR) machine which allowspeople to carry out basic genetic

The Big Bang Fair 2013 took place from 14-17 March at ExCeL London, welcoming over65,000 visitors to the four-day science and engineering extravaganza.

The Fair celebrates and raises the profile of young people’s achievements in science andengineering and encourages young people to take part in science, technology,engineering and maths initiatives with support from their parents and teachers.

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tests at home, for a fraction ofthe cost of existing technology.

UK Young Scientist of theYear is Emily O’Regan, 18, fromNewcastle College in Newcastle-Upon-Tyne. Emily secured hertitle with her project whichstudied breeding habits of theendangered Chilean flamingosin captivity at the Wildfowl andWetlands Trust WashingtonWetland Centre.

The Big Bang UK YoungScientists & Engineers Fair is ledby EngineeringUK and exists toinspire the UK’s next generationof scientists and engineers.

To find out more about The Big Bang Fair visitwww.thebigbangfair.co.uk

Next year the Fair takes place at the NEC,Birmingham from 13-16 March.

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The Medical Research Councilhas announced that itsMillennium medal for 2013 isto be shared by two illustriousbiochemists.

Both Sir Greg Winter and SirPhilip Cohen are no strangersto the receipt of awards

Indeed both started bywinning the Colworth Medal(sponsored by Unilever) fromthe Biochemical Society for anoutstanding young Britishbiochemist.

Phil was one of the earliestrecipients – in 1977

While Greg won it in 1986

They also have in commonthat they have spent virtuallytheir entire research career inone place.

Phil Cohen was one of thefounders of the Department ofBiochemistry in Dundee, andwas largely responsible forturning it from scratch into oneof the most successfullaboratories in Europe, and oneof the largest employers in theCity of Dundee. No departmenthas produced more Colworthmedal winners.

He started his work onphosphorylation during his postdoctoral work in Ed Fischer’slaboratory in Seattle, and sincethen has never looked back.

The subtle interlinking ofkinases and phosphatases, andtheir effect on cell regulationhave been grist to his mill formore than 30 years. He andcolleagues have shown theeffects in numerous metabolicprocesses.

A phosphorylation cascadeinvolves the phosphorylation ofa protein which then becomesan active kinase, and this in turncan phosphorylate other kinasesactivating them, and on and on.At each step, there is a verylarge amplification of the originalsignal so that a very small initialsignalling event can beconverted into a very largeresponse.

He was made a Fellow of theRoyal Society in 1984 andknighted in 1998.

Greg Winter started inprotein sequencing in the daysbefore DNA took over. Hemoved on from his interest inenzymes to the structures ofantibodies. He worked out howto engineer antibodiesthemselves, and mostimportantly, domains within

them which were nonethelessbiologically active.

He set up CambridgeAntibody Technology more than20 years ago. It remains one ofthe most successful academicspin out companies in the lifesciences in the UK.

HUMIRA, an antibodyagainst TNF (Tumour NecrosisFactor) alpha is now marketedby Abbott Laboratories, and hasannual sales in excess of $1bn.

He has simultaneouslyreceived one of the CanadaGairdner Awards for 2013.

He was made a Fellow ofthe Royal Society in 1990, andknighted in 2004. He has justtaken over from Martin Rees asMaster of Trinity College,Cambridge.

Alan Malcolm

MRC MILLENNIUM MEDAL

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There is increasing interest inthe commercial translation offundamental academicresearch. I will explore thetension between the role ofthe academic research worldand the need forcommercialisation of outputs.This highlights key issues inthe development of academicresearch towards commercialoutcome and point tosolutions to the problemswhen commercial andacademic worlds meet.

THE ROLE OF MRCTECHNOLOGY

MRC Technology is thetechnology transfer organisationfor the Medical ResearchCouncil and is responsible forthe Intellectual Property (IP) andcommercialisation of researchdone at the MRC’s Units andInstitutes around the UK. MRCTechnology activities include:filing patents, licensingtechnology to companies, spin-out creation from IP developedat the MRC and organisingcontracts for collaborations withindustry.

Unlike other technologytransfer offices we also have in-house development labscreating new early stagemedicines. This was started tobridge the gap between MRCresearchers, providingknowledge about the biology ofdisease, and the developmentof new drugs and chemistry.This now provides access to all

researchers in the UK. MRCTechnology bridges the gapbetween innovative biology andthe point at which companiesare able to take on projects forfurther development. Weleverage our expertise inantibody engineering technologydeveloped at the MRC.

MRC work on therapeutichumanised monoclonalantibodies, pioneered by SirGregory Winter, has resulted inmajor therapeutic advances andthe introduction of a new classof therapeutics. Work done byMRC Technology, to create suchantibodies in collaboration withpharmaceutical companies, hasproduced two medicines that arenow having a significant impactin the treatment of MS andrheumatoid arthritis.

We also offer services tomedical charities in the UK tohelp them get most out of theirresearch funding: to monitor howtheir funding is used to developtreatments and expertise inassessing translation andcommercial and developmentopportunities.

MRC Technology is positionedbetween industry and academiato deliver new technologies butalso to develop technologies withacademia and collaborating withother institutions to provide newmedicines.

. . . labs creating new early stage

medicines . . .

Steven TaitBusiness Manager, MRC Technology

THE COMMERCIALISATION OF RESEARCHMeeting of the Parliamentary and Scientific Committee on Tuesday 22nd January

COMMERCIALISING RESEARCH:Tensions between academic researchand commercialisation

COMMERCIALISINGACADEMIC RESEARCH

Research provides insightsinto potential new products. TheUK remains at the forefront ofefforts to commercialiseacademic research.

The challenge is – what canbe protected, what is worthwhileprotecting and, crucially, will thatprotection aid the developmentof the technology or medicine.This is a crucial test in publiclyfunded research that would notapply in a business context. Inpatenting we are not simplylooking for a monopoly positionthat can be exploited – thatmonopoly position should be tobenefit the development of thetechnology. We don’t assume“blocking positions” simply tocorner a market.

For academia there may bean opportunity to bring inindustry funding and achievecash returns from the sale orlicence of technology. This hasadvantages as an opportunity forre-investment but can be a two-edged sword: Industry partnersoften cite over-valuation byacademic technology transferorganisations as a barrier to co-operation with academia. Thereis potential for poorcommunication and conflictinggoals and perceptions. Valuation

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is only one potential area forconflict.

TENSIONS ANDPOTENTIAL CONFLICT

Realising commercial end-points is not the primemotivation for academicresearch. Academic researchdoesn’t start from the premise“what product does the marketneed”. Academia contributes toproduct development but weneed to understand how suchinteractions are best managed.

One of the prerequisites foracademic scientific research isthe requirement to publish. In acommercial environment therewould necessarily be muchtighter control of publication andindeed the need for secrecy.Often a source of friction, therequirement for publication mayseem very strange to industrypartners who may be paying forthe work and have to foregocontrol over it.

Academia produces

technology at an early stage indevelopment. In thepharmaceutical industry thecertainty of bringing a product tomarket will be at best poorlyunderstood and very risky –there is a huge attrition rate.Further, in the protection of IPwe have to balance the need topublish with filing patents.Patents arising from academicresearch must be filed at anearlier stage, often before thefull development of theinvention, and this cancompromise value.

MRC Technology seeks to deliver new medicines and new medicaltechnologies, commercialising academic research and partnering withindustry.

The collaborative nature ofacademic research can make IPownership complex whichimplies a cost to manage suchinteractions. This is sometimes ahuge frustration for industrypartners as they end up dealingwith a multitude of parties andcan provide for complexdiligence processes.

In licensing technologies tocompanies there are significantbarriers to overcome

• Not invented here –companies may be resistantto taking on a technologythey have not invented, itincreases risk.

• Investment will be highwith an unproven market,with very new productsthere may not be adeveloped market sodifficult to assess the reach,impact and value of thepotential product.

• The risk may be too greatand the productdevelopment may languish.

Development programmescan be long-term and the earlystage nature of academic IP alsocontributes to differing views onvalue – clearly a source forconflict between University andindustry partners.

Conducting research atuniversities can be expensive.For SMEs the costs can beprohibitive and this discouragesinteractions between smallercompanies and universities. Forlarger companies it discouragesresearch with universitiesoutside business critical areas.

. . . Academia contributes to product

development . . .

. . . requirement for publication may

seem very strange . . .

POTENTIAL SOLUTIONS

Differing views on publicationhave to be managed; we worktowards managing therequirement for publication toensure adequate time to protectvaluable IP. This can be limitingbut it is necessary to balancethe requirement to publish andcommercial considerations.There will remain a potentialchallenge to realise the fullpotential value of academicresearch.

There are various initiatives to grow interactions andrelationships and exchangeideas (for instance the MRC’sand the Technology StrategyBoard’s Biomedical Catalystschemes) and to overcome anumber of the issues:

• Allow companies anduniversities to work togetherwithin a frameworkdeveloping the partnership,fostering interactionbetween people.

. . . research at universities can be

expensive . . .

• Reduces costs, and risk, forthe company.

• Co-development canovercome “not inventedhere” syndrome.

• The university is able to callon the market andcommercial focus of thecompany which givesconfidence to the fundingagency.

Valuation is a negotiation, butboth sides need to understandhow the technology will

generate value and worktowards a fair share for theacademic partner. The universityneeds to understand how thebusiness will profit from the newtechnology and the businessneeds to help thisunderstanding.

The key focus is providingenvironments both physical andfunding in which industry andacademia can interact. This notonly promotes exchange of ideabut exchange of working practiceand engagement.

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With the creation of the UKStrategy for Life Science underthe sponsorship of the PrimeMinister, the Governmentclearly sees the Life Scienceindustry as a key sectorunderpinning long termeconomic growth for UK plc,as well as a key contributor tothe wellbeing and health ofthe nation.

The biopharmaceuticalindustry is the industry sectorthat invests most heavily in R&D– £4.85 billion in 20111, is thelargest investor in healthresearch 2, provides 67,000highly skilled jobs, brings life-saving medicines to society, andgenerates over £6billion tradesurplus annually 3.

In this article we focus ongaps in the translation ofbiomedical research towardseffective treatments for patients,how this can be bridged, andwhat more needs to be done.


investment. Investors are nowinvesting at later, more maturestage of development, requiringgreater proof of concept. Inmany cases, early assets fromacademia may not be validated,or the potential marketmisunderstood. Despite bigstrides being made in the UK inthe last decade, the academic-business cultural divide as wellas university technology transferbarriers can lead toovervaluations of assets.Investment is often serial, with achain of investors each buildingon the asset, and with exit-oriented objectives.

How might this translationalgap be bridged? A diversity offunding sources to plug the gapsees an increasing role forcharitable organisations andpublic funders (eg US NationalInstitutes of Health, andWellcome Trust’s Seeding Drug

The translational gap that wasthe focus of a recent meeting ofthe Parliamentary and ScientificCommittee was in thecommercialisation of academicresearch beyond proof ofconcept, ie the “valley of death”.This may involve the funding ofproof of concept studies fromdiscovery, to the point where apotential medicinal candidate isof interest to a drug developerto take on and pursue furtherclinical development. Investorsin such translational researchface similar pressures toindustrial R&D as outlinedabove, such as the risk ofcandidate attrition and longtimelines of developmentimpacting on their return on

Dr Louise Leong and Dr Bina RawalAssociation of the BritishPharmaceutical Industry

THE COMMERCIALISATION OF RESEARCH

COMMERCIALISATION OF RESEARCHThe research and

development of new medicinesfor unmet medical need is along, complex and risky processthat takes on average 10-15years, and costs £1billion permedicine 4. Industry funds muchof this upfront and bears therisks. This underlies some of thekey barriers to commercialisationof research. Other factorsinfluencing biomedicalinnovation and their desiredstate include:

• Intellectual capital: The desiredstate would be a talent pool ofresearchers with access tofunding schemes and excellenttechnology transfer offices.

• Research and development:Support for biomedicalclusters; flexible collaborationsbetween businesses; moreindustry-academic-NHScollaborations.

• IP: Appropriate protection ofintellectual property in line withrisk and cost of development.

• Clinical and regulatory:Continued streamlining andharmonisation of research andgovernance processes; newapproaches for cost and risksharing attempted.

• Market incentives: Incentivesfor both incremental andradical innovation; matchingschemes for public and privateinvestment; leveragingcharitable investment andother capital.

Much of fundamental scienceunderpinning our understandingof health and disease, and earlydiscovery research using diseasemodels, is carried out inacademia. Target identificationand validation, preclinical safety,early and late phase trials and

meeting regulatory requirementsfor marketing authorisation (iefor a new medicine to belicensed for use in patients) isconducted in industry, whetherin-house in pharmaceuticalcompanies or outsourced toCROs.

A substantial part of today’shealth burden is in complexchronic and heterogenousdisease or syndromes, such asdiabetes and metabolic disease,inflammatory disease whetherrespiratory, joint, or neurological,and dementias. Industry hastherefore sought to overcomescientific and technologicalchallenges through greaterprecompetitive collaboration,both between companies, aswell as across sectors withacademia and health serviceclinicians. This larger R&Decosystem includes the medicalresearch charities and patients.

Discovery), while traditionalinvestors have included businessangels and small investors,venture capital and independentcorporate venture arms, andpublic markets. Investoreducation and engagement onthe medicine developmentprocess and perceived risk isimportant. Actions to reduce riskcan be useful, to increaseknowledge and confidence inassets. Examples of suchinitiatives in the UK include theNIHR Translational ResearchPartnerships; academic-industryresearch consortia; innovativedevelopment/licensingapproaches (eg adaptivelicensing); and retaining thevalue of exploitation in the UK

. . . £6billion trade surplus annually . . .

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by improving the clinicalresearch/trial environment.Commitments in the LifeScience Strategy have beenhelpful, such as the BiomedicalCatalyst fund, and fiscalmeasures such as the PatentBox and R&D tax credits.

The UK possesses historicalstrengths that we shouldcapitalise and build on:

• High public sector investmentin the life science researchtalent pool

• A cultural willingness to takerisks and accept failures

• Mobility of people betweenresearch organisations andindustry

• Availability of specialist, early-stage capital

• Structured networks andcommunication forums toconnect researchers withbusinesses

• Meaningful incentives forresearch organisations andresearchers as well ascompanies

• Geographical proximitybetween researchorganisations and SMEs, egincubators

• Fiscal and regulatoryenvironment, such as theprotection of IP, taxation andregulation

• The unique feature of “cradleto grave” continuum of carethrough the NHS for themajority of the population

At the same time, there arealso increasing pressures in lifesciences to address. Forexample, the decline of the UK’sglobal share of clinical trials(including for performance

reasons) 5, a weakeningcommercial environment in theUK in terms of usage ofinnovative medicines,uncertainty around the pricingframework which traditionallyhas been perceived as stableand predictable, and anunderstanding of the linkbetween the commercialenvironment and R&Dinvestment particularly in clinicalresearch. For example, the UK isnow the lowest and slowestadopter of new medicines in theEU 6. The UK Life ScienceStrategy has sought to addresssome of these barriers –government’s commitments arewelcome, and success iscontingent on competingglobally.

WHAT MORE CAN BEDONE?

• Leading edge R&D relies on ahealthy science base andcontinued public sectorinvestment into science andresearch, and graduates withright mix of talent that moderndrug development requires;

• Stronger collaborative cultureacross industry, academia, NHS-- NHS understanding of

translational barriers andhow new medicines aredeveloped

– More partnership workingwith shared commonambition

– People mobility – more isneeded across sectors

• Biomedical catalyst fundwelcomed – but its scopeshould be widened beyondSMEs – as pump-prime toovercome risk barriers. Forexample, as a vehicle toensure there is funding alignedwith large national initiatives

. . . increasing role for charitable

organisations . . .

when created, particularly theTranslational ResearchPartnerships

• Culture of research to beembedded in the NHS– Trial recruitment targets hit

at pace and scale – time,quality, cost

– Investment in ClinicalResearch Networks issustained for them todeliver

• Health Data initiative –investment in CPRD for staff,capabilities and technology

We see a number ofpotential measures to facilitateknowledge exchange, with cross-sector involvement:

• Mentorship from industryclinical pharmacologists andpreclinical developmentexperts in drug discovery

• Mentorship from clinical andbiology experts from NHS andacademia respectively forindustry teams

• Sharing of training resources

• Sponsored innovation briefings

Ideas for sharing the risksand costs of innovation include:

• Enlarging the pre-competitivespace

• Adaptive licensing as a flexibleand iterative approach to drugdevelopment

• The ability to more efficientlyanswer research questions,develop personalised/stratifiedmedicine or monitor drugsafety through access toanonymised health data anddata linkages

• Use of worldwide data andobservational studies toimprove understanding of useof medicine in a global setting

How will we know whensuccess has been achieved?Some quantitative metrics mayinclude growth in R&Dinvestment (new bioscience

clusters/parks, manufacturefacilities for high value products,pipeline growth and productlaunches, trade balance),increase in clinical trials activity.While qualitative measures mayinclude reputational perception(UK as a preferredpartner/location), uptake ofideas by others, and the shapingof policy.

The ABPI is actively engagedon much of the above, toimprove the environment forR&D in the UK. We will continueto:

• Engage a broad network ofstakeholders across industry,government, academia, thethird sector, NHS, and patientgroups;

• Be a trusted broker for a rangeof R&D collaborations;

• Maintain a reputation forknowledge sharing and future-proofing of the skills base;

• Provide rational, well-supportedand authentic input into policydebates and new regulation;

• Champion the UK as a highlyconducive environment forR&D.

References

1 Office for National Statistics, UK BERD2011

2 UK health research analysis 2009/10.UKCRC 2012

3 HMRC 2011

4 The R&D Cost of a New Medicine.Office for Health Economics, December2012http://www.ohe.org/publications/article/the-rd-cost-of-a-new-medicine-124.cfm

5 All together now: Improving cross-sector collaboration in the UKbiomedical industry. NESTA March2011

6 IMS Health World Review Analyst, 2010& 2012, OECD Health Database, OHEanalysis 2012

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Professor Stephen CaddickVice-Provost, Enterprise, UCL

THE PURPOSE ANDIMPACT OFUNIVERSITIES

Universities carry out threecore activities. Firstly, education:to enable students to develop adeep understanding of theirsubject of choice and acquirerelevant skills. Secondly,fundamental research: to createnew knowledge and insight.Thirdly, impact: to applyknowledge outside academia forthe good of society.

UK universities do anexceptionally good job at thefirst two. While there is muchexemplary achievement in thethird element, universities needa supportive environment toboost their academicendeavours.

Academic research has thepower to change lives throughbroader application, and themajor challenges we face –climate change, food security,health, digital innovation – willneed a combination of curiosity-driven and applied research todevelop solutions.

We know that manytransformational findings arelikely to emerge from unfetteredresearch. Research Councils UKestimates that £45bn of current

economic value in the UKaccrues as a consequence ofinvestment in fundamentalresearch. As President Obamanoted in his 2013 state of theunion speech, “Every dollar weinvested to map the humangenome returned $140 to oureconomy.” Sustained investmentin ‘blue skies’ research willcreate discoveries and newknowledge that will driveinnovations and industries.

Our universities contributesubstantially to the economy.The UK HE sector employsmore than 650,000 people and,according to a study byUniversities UK in 2009,generated more than £59bn perannum in the economy. Manyuniversities are their region’slargest employer and most playa key role in attracting overseasinvestors.

THE KNOWLEDGEEXCHANGE LANDSCAPE

The commercialisation ofresearch has, over the last fewdecades, become an importantelement of knowledge exchange(KE). This is the process bywhich we enable thecommunication, translation andapplication of knowledgebetween academic and non-

academic communities. Thereare many forms of KE, amongthem consultancy, continuingprofessional development, andcollaborative and contractresearch (see panel). Thesegenerate £3.3bn per annum,income which universitiesreinvest in students, staff andour communities, to fueleducation, research andinnovation.

New inventions or discoveriesmade in academic laboratorieshave the potential to beconverted into a commercialproduct. Although such venturescan generate a financial returnfor universities, this may not bethe primary driver. Data showthat income derived by UKuniversities directly from IP isaround £70m per annum,approximately 1.1% of researchincome, whereas in the USA itexceeds £1.1bn, more than 3%of research income.Nevertheless a commercialapproach is pursued because itis the most effective method formaximising the impact andbenefit of academic research.

COMMERCIALISATION ISA KEY INSTRUMENT FOREFFECTIVE KNOWLEDGEEXCHANGE AND IMPACT

How have universitiesevolved their approach tocommercialisation?

The most common approachis for universities to establishtechnology transfer offices(TTOs), dedicated to the

THE COMMERCIALISATION OF RESEARCH

COMMERCIALISATION OF RESEARCHRealising the commercial potentialof university research

If we are to unleash the potential of ouracademic entrepreneurs, government,universities and the business community needto remove the barriers to commercialisation ofresearch.

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commercialisation of research.Typically, their mission is alignedwith the core values of theuniversity rather than orientedtoward profits. They seek tomaximise the impact of theknowledge created throughcommercialisation and toreinvest any surplus in theacademic mission.

TTOs work to take promisingideas through proof-of-conceptand into the early phases ofcommercialisation. The businessmanagers need to be skilled inworking with the academiccommunity and balanceacademic imperatives withcommercial considerations.

However, it is still relativelydifficult for academicentrepreneurs to successfullyspin-out companies in the UK.The most significant barrier is thelack of financial capital availablefor long-term development workand to maintain the costs ofpatents. Inventors anduniversities often find themselves“diluted out” before theenterprise reaches a significantvalue. There is pressure to seekcapital overseas, where ahealthier, less risk-averse investorcommunity exists. Until we makeit easier for entrepreneurs toaccess local capital, their bridgeacross the ‘valley of death’ willtake them overseas.

The relative inaccessibility offinance might explain the strongpreference within the UK toprogress innovation throughpartnering and licensing. In suchcases a third party organisationtakes the lead in developmentphases and the inventors arerewarded through a revenuesharing arrangement.

BUILDING ON OURSUCCESS INKNOWLEDGEEXCHANGE ANDCOMMERCIALISATION

The UK is far better at KEand commercialisation than isoften recognised, but we can,and must, do better. If we are to

do so we must be moreambitious, so that the individualentrepreneurs and innovatorscan realise their potential. Thereare some specific actions thatuniversities and government cantake.

WHAT CANUNIVERSITIES DOBETTER?

Universities need to do moreto foster a culture ofentrepreneurship within theiracademic and studentcommunities. This means re-examination of their policies,promotion criteria and rewardstructures, and the provision oftime to pursue innovation.

2003-04 2006-07 2010-11

Collaborative research 645 736 872

Contract research 688 862 1,053

Consultancy 251 317 370

Facilities and 95 102 129equipment-related services

Continuing professional 352 534 606development and Continuing Education

Intellectual property 46 64 69

UK’s knowledge exchange contributes more than£3bn to the economy

Income generate by UK universities in 2011 through services tobusiness, including commercialisation of new knowledge, delivery ofprofessional training, consultancy and services amounts to more than£3bn – SOURCE HEFCE

Key facts on commercialisation of UK HEI’s intellectualproperty from 2010/11 HEBCI survey

• 268 new businesses were set up based on research from UKuniversities.

• More than 1250 active spin-off companies employing 18,000people with a turnover of £2.1 billion

• UK universities formed one new company per £24 million ofresearch funding during 2010-11, compared with £56 millionin USA

• Graduates established more than 2800 new enterprises

• UK universities made 2,256 patent applications with 757patents granted

• Intellectual property income for UK universities was £69M in2010/11

Source HEBCI survey – 2010/11

Company or Product Academic Researchers Outcome

Biovex - cancer vaccines Coffin / Latchman (UCL) $1bn (2010)

CAT - antibodies Winter (LMB, Cambridge) $1.3bn (2006)

CDT – polymer bases LED’S Friend / Holmes (Cambridge) $170M

Domantis – domain antibodies Winter / Tomlinson (Cambridge) £230M (2006)

MTEM – hydrocarbon detection Zielkowski (Edinburgh) $275M (2007)

Renovo – wound healing Ferguson / O’Kane (Manchester) £275M (2007)

Solexa – DNA sequencing Balasubramanian / Klenerman (Camb) $600M (2007)

Simulect - antibody Akbar, Amlot / Janossy (RF, UCL) >$500M

Selected commercial successes from UK academic research

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. . . China's growth in science . . .

Universities need to tear downbureaucracy within theirorganisations and be less riskaverse. Universities need toinvest more in innovation withintheir organisations and be moreexplicit about both its value tosociety and its role in enhancingthe university mission. Finally,universities need to get better atworking with business, seeinglong-term collaborations as aninvestment, rather than a sourceof short-term income.

WHAT CANGOVERNMENT DO?

Government has a key role.Firstly, it needs to recognise ouruniversities' strengths, ratherthan simply assuming that allgood innovation happensoverseas. Secondly, we needcontinued investment in

translation and innovation, butnot at the expense of fundingfor basic research. We have awide range of effectiveinstruments in place: HEFCE,Research Councils, theTechnology Strategy Board (TSB)and Capital for Enterprise, so letus use them rather than inventnew ones. Thirdly, governmentneeds to focus on policyinitiatives that will benefit theUK, rather than those – such asIP giveaways and ill-consideredopen access requirements –that will benefit our competitors’economies. Fourthly, we need acoherent and modern approachto industrial strategy, and weneed to create the conditions forindividuals to succeed: backing,not picking, winners. Ourbusiness community needs asimpler approach to regulation,improved infrastructure, a skilled

workforce and an attractive taxenvironment. Finally, we need tomake it clear we are open forbusiness, and that meanscompeting effectively for globaltalent and making the UK thedestination of choice for world-class innovators, entrepreneursand employees wherever theycome from.

SUMMARY

Commercialisation of theintellectual property generatedthrough research is an importantpart of the knowledge exchangelandscape in the UK. Despite this,at present there are significantbarriers, which impede the UK’sacademic entrepreneurs. If weare to unleash the entrepreneurialspirit and potential of theacademic community, we needconcerted effort from universities,

from government and frombusiness partners.

REFERENCES

In Britain, a Tech-Transfer OperationWhere Profits Aren't the Only Goal,Chronicle of Higher Education, 2010,http://chronicle.com/article/A-Tech-Transfer-Operation/125532/

Why government must invest inuniversities – Universities UK, March 2013

http://www.universitiesuk.ac.uk/highereducation/Pages/Whygovernmentmustinvestinuniversities.aspx

Higher education business andcommunity interaction survey (HEBCI)

http://www.hefce.ac.uk/news/newsarchive/2012/name,73740,en.html

The social impact of research conductedin Russell group universities

http://www.russellgroup.ac.uk/uploads/SocialImpactOfResearch.pdf

The economic impact of Russell groupuniversities

http://www.russellgroup.ac.uk/Economic-impact/

Sam Myers

SIN: Overseas Champions of UKScience and Innovation

In today’s competitive and evolving global marketplace forscience and innovation, the Government’s global Science andInnovation Network (SIN) is harnessing opportunities for theUK through international partnerships. In this article, SamMyers explains how SIN is championing UK science and drivinggrowth through collaboration and influence overseas. Sam hasworked for SIN since 2007, establishing the strategy for Britain’sengagement with Southeast Asia and now leading the AsiaPacific region from Beijing, China.

The international marketplacefor science and innovation hasnever experienced suchcompetition and upheaval as inrecent years. Established playersin Europe and the USA havebeen challenged and in manycases displaced by newcomersin the Gulf, South America andAsia Pacific. Despite theexcellent funding settlementsecured for the UK sciencebudget, our proportion of GDPspent on R&D stands at 1.8%

(£26bn), less than half that of

Finland. China's growth in

science demonstrates the

challenge facing the UK:

Chinese R&D investment has

increased 20% annually for over

a decade, reaching £100bn in

2012. This has propelled them

into second place globally by

research publication volume.

However, it is not time tohang up our British lab coats yet.Our scientific heritage continuesto serve us well: with just 1% ofthe world’s population, wepublish 14% of the world’shighest impact science, and arehome to a fifth of the world’stop 20 Universities. Pound forpound British researchers arethe most efficient in the G8, andthis attracts more foreign-fundedR&D to the UK than any othercountry.

So Britain is in the globalinnovation race. But how do wemake sure we lead the pack?And how do we support UKcompanies to source the besttechnologies and attract further

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. . . improvements in intellectual

property protection . . .

inward investment? Part of theanswer lies in the Government’sScience and Innovation Network(SIN), which champions UKscience and innovation on theglobal stage.

SIN is a network of 90experts based in 28 countries.We combine British and localtalent and are embedded inEmbassies, High Commissionsand Consulates across theworld. SIN’s mission is to identifyand help harness the value ofscience and innovationdiscoveries and investmentsoverseas for the benefit of theUK. Our small size and regional

structure enables us to respondquickly to local opportunities.The Science and InnovationNetwork spans four regions: theAmericas, Europe, MiddleEast/Africa/India, and AsiaPacific. And we have three keyroles: influencing, informing, andcollaborating.

With the emerging sciencepowers, influencing is central tosecuring new UK innovationopportunities. For example,

through our network we haveachieved significantimprovements in intellectualproperty protection and theChinese government nowrecognise the benefits of reform.Our work has paved the way fordeals in research and innovation,like a £45m joint R&D fundbetween Research Councils UKand Chinese counterparts, and amapping deal for a Britishsatellite company worth £110m.

And we have improved ourperformance in joint scientificresearch: the UK has risen fromthird to second place partner ofchoice for China, beaten only bythe USA.

SIN has an important role inreporting information andanalysis from around the worldback to UK policymakers. Ourexpertise and access is critical toinform UK domestic policy anddirect our international strategy.

. . . British researchers are the most

efficient in the G8 . . .

For example in recent years SINteams have helped theGovernment to understandwhere competitor nations arefocusing their R&D efforts, tohelp UK Ministers direct publicR&D expenditure to the rightareas. We have also reported onnew innovation policyinterventions and shaped theroll-out of Britain’s Catapultcentres, which are bringingtogether the best of academicand private sector science todevelop new products andeconomic growth.

SIN works with Britishorganisations to stimulate newscience and innovationpartnerships overseas. In India,we have supported ResearchCouncils UK to agree over£100m deals in jointprogrammes including greenenergy, stem cells and foodsecurity. We have also supportednew partnerships in SoutheastAsia, where top British foodresearchers are working on a£300k joint programme withVietnam to develop new strains

of rice that are resistant toclimate change. And a newpartnering programme in Chinahas already attracted £6.5mChinese funding into Britishtechnologies including heat-sensing coatings to prevent babyburns.

SIN officers are located closeto the best opportunities andwith the right skills and missionto deliver for the UK. Otherestablished science powers likeFrance and Germany deploymore staff and funding intooverseas R&D engagement thanwe do. But SIN’s responsivenetwork and focus on innovationmeans we are better placed tohelp Britain go for gold.

Readers of Science inParliament are invited tomake contact with the Scienceand Innovation Networkteams – to find out more,please visit:https://www.gov.uk/global-science-and-innovation-network

Matthew Houlihan

FRENCH RESEARCH AND HIGHEREDUCATION REFORM

In March 2013, the French government published a draft law aimed atreforming its university and public research systems which have beencriticised for being state-centric, bureaucratic and complex. What are themain measures and what could this mean for the UK?

RESEARCH AND HIGHEREDUCATION IN FRANCE

France has a strong, well-financed research system. TheOECD calculates that theequivalent of $51bn was spent

on R&D in France in 2011 when

public and private sector

expenditure is totalled up. This

compares to $39bn in the UK,

and $19bn in Spain. This

investment produces

internationally renowned

researchers – in March this year,

for example, Louis Pouzin was

announced as a co-winner of

the Queen Elizabeth Prize for

Engineering for his ground-

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breaking research in the 1960sthat paved the way for the birthof the internet. Serge Harochewon the Nobel Prize for Physicslast year and five of hiscompatriots have receivedNobel prizes in scientificdisciplines over the past tenyears.

Furthermore, France boaststhe largest fundamental researchorganisation in Europe – thepublicly-funded Centre Nationalde la Recherche Scientifique(CNRS) which has a budget ofnear €3.4bn in 2013 andemploys 11,415 researchersand 14,090 engineers andsupport staff. It has other publicresearch organisations to beproud of too – the CEA is apowerhouse of energy researchwith a €4.3bn annual budgetand CNES is Europe’s premiernational space agency. Francealso has one of the world’s mostgenerous schemes to incentiviseprivate sector R&D spendthrough its tax system.

In terms of Higher Education,France has strong eliteuniversities (the GrandesEcoles) and has some ofEurope’s leading businessschools.

REFORM

Despite these strengths, thecurrent French government seesthe various initiatives introducedby previous French governmentsto support research efforts andto modernise higher educationas confusing and damaging. Ithas criticised the public supportfor research as being toocomplex and recent reforms touniversities as leading to fundingshortages. French universities arealso perceived to be lagging ininternational comparisons. In the

2012-13 Times HigherEducation World UniversityRankings, for example, thehighest placed French universitycomes in at 59th – there areeight British universities rankedabove it (many in France arguethat the criteria used to compilethese lists work against Frenchuniversities).

Following a consultationprocess involving a number ofhearings across France,Geneviève Fioraso, France’sHigher Education and ResearchMinister introduced a draft lawwhich she hopes to use toreduce burden on researchers(eg in terms of evaluation ofperformance and bidding forfunding), widen participation inhigher education and simplify itspublic research system.However, despite modestmoves towards greaterautonomy for public universitiesfrom the state introduced underPresident Sarkozy, there are noreal attempts to advance in thisdirection.

Some of the main measuresin the draft law that could be ofinterest to a UK audienceinclude:

• Attempts to attract moreforeign students to Franceby allowing more courses tobe offered in English. Thiscomplements legal changesintroduced last year to liftcertain restrictions on theability of non-EU studentsto work in France followingtheir studies.

• A drastic reduction in thetypes of degree that can beawarded in France. TheFrench government pointsout that there are currentlyaround 10,000 different

types of masters degree onoffer in France – somethingthat it sees as beingconfusing to businesseswho are looking to take ongraduates.

• A doubling of industryplacements for students aspart of their studies fromthe current level of 110,000per year.

• The scrapping of France’scurrent research anduniversity evaluation agencywith the promise of alighter-touch regime tofollow.

• The introduction of moreon-line courses, boththrough existing universitiesand through a newinstitution called ‘FranceUniversité Numérique’ witha view to widening accessto higher education.

• New, internationally visible,knowledge clusters. Thegovernment wants to seeexisting research centresand higher educationinstitutions that are in closegeographical proximityworking more closelytogether, sharing a commonstrategy and objectives,especially relating toresearch and technologytransfer.

FRANCO-BRITISH LINKS

So why does all of thismatter to the UK? France is animportant research and highereducation partner for the UK.Even without considering thedeep private sector R&D links,there is a vast amount ofcollaboration betweenresearchers in France and in theUK. According to the French

Embassy in London, 11.7% ofinternationally co-authoredpapers involving a UK academichave a French partner. In thisregard, France is only behind theUS and Germany as a partnerfor UK academics. Frenchresearchers, businesses anduniversities are also importantpartners for the UK when itcomes to forming consortia tomake bids under the EU’s€10bn per year researchfunding programme. And Franceis an invaluable partner when itcomes to international researchfacilities such as CERN and theITER nuclear fusion researchfacility that are too expensive foreither country to build on itsown. Through the Erasmusprogramme, UK universitiesreceived 6,455 French studentsin 2010/11 with 4,254 Britishstudents going the other wayand there were 13,325 Frenchstudents at British HigherEducation institutions in2010/11 in total.

The changes the Frenchgovernment hopes to introducethrough the draft law show thatFrance is continuing to seek toup its game in terms of thesupport it offers its research andhigher education communitiesand a clear recognition that itneeds to think more and moreinternationally to strengthen itsinstitutions. This clearly posessome potential challenges forUK universities, especially interms of attracting foreignstudents, but also hopefullyopportunities, for examplethrough offering joint coursesand ever stronger researchcollaboration.

The draft law will now passto the French parliament whereit will be debated.

British Embassy Paris Science and Innovation Team

The British Embassy in Paris has a Science and Innovation team which facilitates strategic science and innovation-relatedcollaboration between the UK and France. If you think you could benefit from our help, please contact:

Matthew Houlihan: [email protected] Alison MacEwen: [email protected]

sip WHITSUN 2013 7/5/13 11:21


HOUSE OF COMMONS SELECTCOMMITTEE ON SCIENCE ANDTECHNOLOGYCURRENT INQUIRIES

Forensic Science Services (FSS) follow-up

On 22 November 2012, the Committee

announced an inquiry: FSS Follow-up. The

Committee invited written submissions by 10

January 2013.

On Wednesday 30 January 2013 the

Committee took evidence from Alison Fendley,

Executive Director, Forensic Archive Ltd, Dr Gill Tully,

Consultant, Principal Forensic Services Ltd, and

Helen Kenny, Former Branch Secretary for the FSS,

Prospect Trade Union.

On Wednesday 6 February 2013 the

Committee took evidence from Professor Martin

Evison, Director, Northumbria University Centre for

Forensic Science (NUCFS), Dr John Manlove,

Manlove Forensics Ltd, and David Richardson, Chief

Executive, LGC Forensics; and then from Chief

Constable Chris Sims, Association of Chief Police

Officers (ACPO), Gary Pugh, Director of Forensic

Services, Metropolitan Police Service and, Kevin

Morton, Director of Scientific Support Services,

Yorkshire and the Humber.

On Wednesday 13 February 2013 the

Committee took evidence from Karen Squibb-

Williams MA, Strategic Policy Adviser, Crown

Prosecution Service, Michael Turner QC, Chairman,

Criminal Bar Association, and Richard Atkinson,

Chair of Criminal Law Committee, Law Society.

On Wednesday 6 March 2013 the Committee

took evidence from Professor Bernard Silverman,

Chief Scientific Adviser, Home Office and Andrew

Rennison, Forensic Science Regulator.

On Wednesday 13 March the Committee took

evidence from Jeremy Browne MP, Minister of

State for Crime Prevention, Home Office and

Stephen Webb, Former Director, Finance and

Strategy Directorate, Crime and Policing Group,

Home Office

The written and oral evidence received in this

inquiry is on the Committee’s website. A Report is

being prepared.

Water Quality

On 19 December 2012, the Committee

announced an inquiry: Water Quality. The


February 2013.

On Wednesday 27 February the Committee

took evidence from Richard Aylard, Thames

Water, Marco Lattughi, Environmental Industries

Commission, and Mike Murray, Association of the

British Pharmaceutical Industry; and then from

Professor Andrew Johnson, Centre for Ecology

and Hydrology, Rob Collins, Blueprint for Water

Coalition, and NERC; and then from Dr Sue

Kinsey, Marine Conservation Society, and

Professor Richard Thompson, Plymouth University.

On Monday 4 March 2013 the Committee

took evidence from Ian Barker, Head of Water,

Land and Biodiversity, Environment Agency, Nick

Cartwright, Environment and Business Manager,

Environment Agency and Regina Finn, Chief

Executive, Ofwat.

On Wednesday 6 March 2013 the Committee

took evidence from Peter Gammeltoft, European

Commission.

On Wednesday 13 March 2013 the

Committee took evidence from Richard Benyon

MP, Parliamentary Under-Secretary for Natural

Environment, Water and Rural Affairs, Department

for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, Rory

Wallace, Head of the Water Framework Directive

Team and Dr Caroline Whalley, Priority Substances

Policy/Technical Advisor.

The written and oral evidence received in this

inquiry is on the Committee’s website. A Report is

being prepared.

Clinical Trials

On 13 December 2012, the Committee

announced an inquiry: Clinical Trials. The


February 2013.

The Science and TechnologyCommittee is established underStanding Order No 152, andcharged with the scrutiny of theexpenditure, administration andpolicy of the Government Office forScience, a semi-autonomousorganisation based within theDepartment for Business,Innovation and Skills.

The current members of theScience and Technology Committeeare:

Jim Dowd (Labour, Lewisham Westand Penge), Stephen Metcalfe(Conservative, South Basildon andEast Thurrock), Andrew Miller(Labour, Ellesmere Port andNeston), David Morris(Conservative, Morecambe andLunesdale), Stephen Mosley(Conservative, City of Chester),Pamela Nash (Labour, Airdrie andShotts), Sarah Newton(Conservative, Truro and Falmouth),Graham Stringer (Labour, Blackleyand Broughton), David Tredinnick(Bosworth), Hywel Williams (PlaidCymru, Arfon) and Roger Williams(Liberal Democrat, Brecon andRadnorshire).

Andrew Miller was elected by theHouse of Commons to be the Chairof the Committee on 9 June 2010.The remaining Members wereformally appointed to theCommittee on 12 July 2010.Caroline Dinenage, Gareth Johnson,Sarah Newton and Hywel Williamswere formally appointed to theCommittee on 27 February 2012 inthe place of Gavin Barwell, GreggMcClymont, Stephen McPartlandand David Morris. Jim Dowd wasformally appointed to theCommittee on 11 June 2012 in theplace of Jonathan Reynolds. DavidMorris was formally re-appointed tothe Committee on 3 December2012 in the place of GarethJohnson. David Tredinnick wasformally appointed to theCommittee on 4 February in placeof Caroline Dinenage.

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On Wednesday 13 March, the Committee took evidence from

Professor Sir Michael Rawlins, Chair of the Academy of Medical

Sciences Regulation and Governance Review, Dr Keith Bragman,

President, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Medicine, and Dr Fiona Godlee,

Editor in Chief, British Medical Journal,

On Monday 22 April 2013 the Committee took evidence from

Catherine Elliott, Director, Clinical Research Interests, Medical

Research Council, Sharmila Nebhrajani, Chief Executive, Association

of Medical Research Charities, Professor Peter Johnson, Chief

Clinician, Cancer Research UK and Representative from the

Wellcome Trust; and then from Dr Bina Rawal, Director of Research,

Medical and Innovation, Association of the British Pharmaceutical

Industry, Dr James Shannon, Chief Medical Officer, GlaxoSmithKline

and Mr William M Burns, Member of the Board of Directors, Roche.

The Committee intends to hold further oral evidence sessions.

The European and UK Space Agencies

On 15 February 2013, the Committee announced an inquiry:

The European and UK Space Agencies. The Committee invited

written submissions by 12 April 2013. The Committee expects to

hold oral evidence sessions later in 2013.

Climate: public understanding and its policy implications

On 28 February 2013 the Committee announced an inquiry:

Climate: public understanding and its policy implications. The

Committee invited written submissions by 22 April 2013. The

Committee expects to hold oral evidence sessions later in 2013.

REPORTS

Engineering Education

On 8 February 2013, the Committee published its Seventh

Report of Session 2012-13, Educating tomorrow’s engineers: the

impact of Government reforms on 14-19 education, HC 665

Bridging the valley of death

On 13 March 2013, the Committee published its Eighth Report

of Session 2013-13, Bridging the valley of death: improving the

commercialisation of research, HC 348

Marine Science

On 11 April 2013 the Committee published its Ninth Report of

Session 2012-13 – Marine Science, HC 727

GOVERNMENT RESPONSES

Government and UK Collaborative on Development Sciences

Response to the Committee’s report ‘Building scientific capacity

for development’

On 24 January 2013 the Committee published the Government

and UK Collaborative on Development Sciences Response to the

Committee’s report on Building scientific capacity for development.

Natural Environment Research Council Response to the

Committee's report ‘Proposed merger of British Antarctic Survey

and National Oceanography Centre’

On 30 January 2013 the Committee published the Natural

Environment Research Council Response to the Committee's report

on Proposed merger of British Antarctic Survey and National

Oceanography Centre.

Government and Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC)

Responses to the Committee’s report ‘The Census and social

science’

On 15 March 2013 the Committee published the Government

and Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC) Responses to the

Committee’s Third Report of Session 2012–13

FURTHER INFORMATION

Further information about the work of the Science and

Technology Committee or its current inquiries can be obtained from

the Clerk of the Committee, Stephen McGinness, or from the Senior

Committee Assistant, Darren Hackett, on 020 7219 2792/2793

respectively; or by writing to: The Clerk of the Committee, Science

and Technology Committee, House of Commons, 7 Millbank,

London SW1P 3JA. Enquiries can also be e-mailed to

[email protected]. Anyone wishing to be included on the

Committee’s mailing list should contact the staff of the Committee.

Anyone wishing to submit evidence to the Committee is strongly

recommended to obtain a copy of the guidance note first. Guidance

on the submission of evidence can be found at

www.parliament.uk/commons/selcom/witguide.htm. The Committee

has a website, www.parliament.uk/science, where all recent

publications, terms of reference for all inquiries and press notices are

available.

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RECENT POST PUBLICATIONS

Reporting Greenhouse Gas Emissions

January 2013 POSTnote 428

Climate change is a global challenge addressed by acombination of international and domestic initiatives. Accurateinventories of greenhouse gas emissions are needed to ensure theintegrity of these policies. This POSTnote examines howgreenhouse gas inventories are measured, reported and verified.

Biodiversity and Planning Decisions

February 2013 POSTnote 429

Built developments and mineral extraction can bring socialbenefits. However, if developments decrease biodiversity therecould be a net loss of human well-being. Planning policy isdevolved and this POSTnote sets out how the information onimpacts of proposed developments on biodiversity is given toplanners in England. It also summarises approaches to enhance biodiversity and avoid, mitigate and compensate fornegative impacts.

STEM Education for 14 – 19 year olds

March 2013 POSTnote 430

Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM)education plays a vital role in equipping young people with theknowledge and skills needed to participate in and contribute tosociety. This POSTnote reviews the current state of STEM education for 14-19 year olds in the UK, highlighting key challenges and ongoing policy reforms.

Preventing Mitochondrial Disease


Mitochondria convert biological fuels like sugars and fats into the energy a cell needs. Women with a disease caused by faulty mitochondria pass their condition on to their children.Researchers are developing treatments to prevent this by usinghealthy mitochondria from a female donor. This note describesthese treatments and looks at the issues raised by their potentialuse in IVF.

Accessing Public Transport


A growing and ageing population will place increased demandson public transport, both in terms of carrying more people andmaking it more accessible to people with disabilities. This POSTnotelooks at the current barriers to and future opportunities forimproving the accessibility of the public transport system.

Stem Cell Research

March 2013 POST Long Report

This Report presents a summary of progress in the underlyingscience of stem cell research over the last decade.

Livestock Vaccines

April 2013 POSTnote 433

UK agriculture is constantly faced with the threats and economicconsequences of various diseases of livestock. Vaccination oflivestock is one approach to disease prevention and control. ThisPOSTnote examines the use of vaccines and outlines the pros andcons of using vaccination in livestock.

CURRENT WORK

Biological Sciences – HIV Prevention in the UK, Managing OnlineIdentity, Minimum Age of Criminal Responsibility, Epigenetics andHealth, Reducing Greenhouse Gas Emissions from Livestock,Cosmetic Procedures, Khat, Drug Driving.

Environment and Energy – Non-native Invasive Plant Species,Environmental Impacts of Tidal Barrages, Selection of MarineConservation Zones, Intermittent Electricity Generation, Urban GreenInfrastructure, Insect Pollination.

Physical sciences and IT – Opening Up Public Sector Data,Accessing Public Transport.

Science, Technology and the Developing World – Uncertainty inPopulation Projections.

CONFERENCES AND SEMINARS

Broadband Britain: on target for 2015

On 12th February, POST hosted an event to provide a review ofprogress towards the UK’s broadband targets and give Membersthe chance to ask questions about broadband issues affecting theirconstituencies. This gave parliamentarians and others theopportunity to hear from experts in broadband technology on theprogress towards the UK’s targets. This meeting, chaired by ThereseCoffey MP, heard from Pamela Learmonth, CEO, BroadbandStakeholder Group, Matt Yardley, Partner, Analysys Mason and RajSivalingam, Associate Director, Telecoms and Spectrum, Intellect.

STAFF, FELLOWS AND INTERNS AT POST

Fellows

Nadia Richman, Zoological Society London, Natural EnvironmentResearch Council

Alastair Brown, National Oceanography Centre, Natural EnvironmentResearch Council

Brett Edwards, Bath University, Wellcome Trust

Dave Parker, University of Bristol, RSoC

Luke Gibbon, University of Strathclyde, Wellcome Trust

Amy Zhang, University of Cambridge, RSoC

Daniel Amund, London Metropolitan University, IFST

PARLIAMENTARY OFFICE OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY (POST)

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HOUSE OF COMMONS LIBRARYSCIENCE AND ENVIRONMENTSECTIONRECENT PUBLICATIONS

Energy Bill: Committee Stage Report

RP 13/19

This is a report on the House of CommonsCommittee Stage of the Energy Bill 2012-13. Itfollows Library Research Paper 12/79 preparedfor Second Reading. There is as yet no date setfor Report Stage and Third Reading. Somesubstantive Government amendments weremade to the Bill in Committee. New clausesadded the power to set, after 2016, a‘decarbonisation range’ for the electricity sector insecondary legislation. Further new clauses wereintroduced on providing cheapest tariffs, with a‘sunset clause’. Several consultations associatedwith the Bill have closed but the results are notyet known, and others are on-going. This leavesopen the possibility of further Governmentamendments to the Bill, which is a carry-over Bill,later.

All Government amendments so far havebeen accepted, but no non-Governmentamendments or new clauses have been adopted.Those rejected included; setting a decarbonisationtarget for 2030 sooner, ensuring greatertransparency for setting the ‘strike price’ paid forlow carbon generation and around earlyinvestment contracts, stronger requirements onoffering cheapest tariffs, providing for a ‘strategicreserve’ as well as a ‘capacity market’ to provideextra electricity capacity, extending the small scalefeed-in-tariff to larger community schemes, andfor energy efficiency incentive Regulations.

Seabass Fishing

SN/SC/0745

The European seabass is an importantcommercial fish species. It is also one of themost important fish species for recreationalfishermen in the UK due to its “famed fightingprowess”. The species is thought to be particularlyvulnerable to over-fishing. It is not possible toassess fully the health of the seabass populationat this stage due to a lack of evidence. However,the available evidence suggests that there hasbeen a population decline in recent years. Aninternational scientific body recommended thatbass catches be reduced by 20% in 2013 toprotect the stock.

Scientists and other staff in theScience and Environment Sectionprovide confidential, bespokebriefing to Members and theiroffices on a daily basis. They alsoprovide support to CommonsSelect Committees, and producelonger notes and research paperswhich can be accessed on line at http://www.parliament.uk/topics/topical-issues.htm

Opposite are summaries of somerecently updated publishedbriefings.

For further information contact Dr Patsy Richards Head of SectionTel: 020 7219 1665 email: [email protected]

A minimum landing size (MLS) of 36 cm wasintroduced in 1990 to protect the stock, alongwith a range of other measures. Sport fishingbodies, whose members highly value thechallenge offered by larger fish, have campaignedto increase the MLS for bass. They argue thatmany adult female seabass do not breed untilthey are at least 40-45 cm, and that increasingthe MLS to 45 cm will help to ensure that morefemales can breed before they are caught.However, such a change would have economicimplications for some commercial fishermen. TheGovernment has launched a national survey ofangling, which may provide additional catch datafor this species. It has also launched anassessment of seabass stocks to determinewhether the MLS should be increased.

Planning Reform Proposals

SN/SC/6418

Since the Coalition Agreement, major reformsto the planning system have taken place with theintroduction of the Localism Act 2011 and theNational Planning Policy Framework. TheGovernment has stressed that the planningsystem should work proactively to supporteconomic growth and it is still concerned thatvarious aspects of the planning system areburdened by “unnecessary bureaucracy that canhinder sustainable growth.” A number of reformsare now contained in the Growth andInfrastructure Bill, Bill 75 2012-13, but in additionto this a number of other announcements onplanning reform have also been made, which donot have provisions in the Bill, including:

• to allow change of use for certain buildingswithout needing planning permission;

• to increase existing permitted developmentrights for extensions to certain homes andbusiness premises for a three-year period; and

• to give a financial incentive to neighbourhoodswhich have adopted a neighbourhooddevelopment plan to receive 25% of thecommunity infrastructure levy revenues fromapproved developments.

It also remains the Government’s long-standing aim to abolish regional spatial strategies,which is still an on-going process. This note sets

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out more information about the key planning reformannouncements and the proposals.

Horse Meat Controls and Regulations

SN/SC/6534

On 16 January 2013 the Food Standards Agency (FSA)announced that the Food Safety Authority of Ireland (FSAI) hadfound horse and pig DNA in a range of beef products on sale atseveral supermarkets including Tesco, Aldi, Lidl, Iceland and DunnesStores. This has sparked widespread testing of beef products acrossthe EU revealing further incidences of contamination. The House ofCommons Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee’s recentreport Contamination of Beef Products (February 2013) found thatthe “current contamination crisis has caught the FSA andGovernment flat-footed and unable to respond effectively withinstructures designed primarily to respond to threats to humanhealth”.

This note sets out some of the key elements of the controls andregulations governing meat safety and the use of horse meat.Horse meat can be prepared and sold in the UK if it meets thegeneral requirements for selling and labelling meat. There are threeabattoirs operating in the UK, licensed to slaughter horses forhuman consumption. It is also legal to export live horses from theUK for slaughter if they have the necessary paperwork such as ahorse passport, export licence and health certification. However, thisis not usual practice.

Since 2005 all horses have been required by EU law to have apassport for identification. Horses born after July 2009 must alsobe microchipped. The passport must accompany the horsewhenever it is sold or transported, slaughtered for humanconsumption or used for the purposes of competition or breeding.

Biomass

SN/SC/6586

The use of renewable fuels in energy generation is an EU policyand there is an EU wide mandatory target of 20% of all energybeing generated from renewables by 2020. Biomass is seen as akey contributor to meeting these aims and is a generic term for anyorganic material that can be used to produce heat, electricity ortransport fuel. UK Government has set out policies to support theuse of biomass in energy generation in its UK Biomass Strategypublished in 2012. The Government has also consulted onproposed improvements to the biomass sustainability criteria usedto determine support for biomass through the RenewablesObligation.

Icy Fishing: UK and Iceland fish stock disputes

SN/SC/6511

In spite of generally excellent bilateral relations, Iceland and theUK have had a number of fisheries disputes. The Cod Wars from1958 to 1976 saw violent clashes between Icelandic and Britishfishing vessels as Iceland asserted control over the seassurrounding the island. There are now increasing tensions betweenthe two parties after Iceland started catching large quantities ofmackerel. Iceland has been condemned for ‘plundering’ the stockand for threatening its long-term future. The stock is worth some£200 million to the UK economy. Iceland claims it has a legitimateright to the fish, which are found within its territorial waters.

The dispute has become known as the Mackerel War, and tradesanctions have been threatened by the EU. The dispute couldjeopardise Iceland’s EU accession. This note gives a short history ofthe Cod Wars and describes the current mackerel dispute. It alsobriefly describes the renowned Icelandic sustainable fisheriesmodel.

Nuisance Calls: Unsolicited sales and marketing, and silent calls

SN/SC/6033

Nuisance calls (ie unsolicited – and unwanted – marketingmessages, silent or abandoned calls) cause widespread harm andinconvenience which have been acknowledged by the previous andcurrent Government and the relevant regulators – Ofcom (thecommunications regulator) and Information Commissioner’s Office(ICO). Both Ofcom and the ICO have enforcement powers in thisarea and Ofcom has tightened its rules concerning silent calls afterconsultation. In 2010, Parliament approved an increase in thefinancial penalty available to Ofcom in enforcing its rules onnuisance calls from £50,000 to £2 million.

As well as Ofcom, the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO),the Telephone Preference Service (TPS) and Silent CallGuard alloffer advice and assistance. The level of complaints to theseorganisations helps the regulators to develop proportionate,enforcement measures. This note sets out the key regulationswhich seek to address nuisance calls and the main sources ofassistance and their limitations. It also summarises Ofcom’s actionplan to tackle nuisance calls that was announced on 8 January2013.

ACTIVITIES

Presentations

In March 2013 Library staff organised a presentation forMembers and their Staff on Constituent involvement in Local Planmaking and the use of neighbourhood planning powers. Thepresentation included speakers from the Royal Town PlanningInstitute and the Department for Communities and LocalGovernment.

Members of the section addressed Industry in Parliament Trustfellows on how parliamentarians access research, and contributedto a workshop in Amman for committee chairs of the IraqiParliament on research support for parliamentary committees.

Visitors to SES

The Science and Environment Section has hosted a number ofexternal specialists in recent months. These external specialists havereceived training in parliamentary research and briefing, and havecontributed to the wider work of the section. They include:

• Charity Alesi, a science policy analyst from the UgandanParliament;

• Mike Fell, a POST fellow currently working on a PhD on SmartEnergy at the University College London Energy Institute

• Sarah Coe, specialist for the Environment, Food and Rural AffairsSelect Committee; and

• Steve Habberley, specialist for the Communities and LocalGovernment Select Committee

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HOUSE OF LORDS SCIENCE ANDTECHNOLOGY SELECT COMMITTEE

The members of the Committee(appointed 16 May 2012) are LordBroers, Lord Cunningham of Felling,Lord Dixon-Smith, Baroness Hilton ofEggardon, Lord O’Neill ofClackmannan, Lord Krebs (Chairman),Lord Patel, Baroness Perry ofSouthwark, Lord Rees of Ludlow, theEarl of Selborne, Baroness Sharp ofGuildford, Lord Wade of Chorlton,Lord Willis of Knaresborough andLord Winston.

Two members of the Committee willrotate off and be replaced at thebeginning of the new Session.

Open access

The Committee undertook a short inquiryinto the implementation of the Government’sopen access policy. It issued a call for evidenceto key stakeholders for this short inquiry. TheCommittee took oral evidence in January, 2013and published its findings in February 2013(http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/ld201213/ldselect/ldsctech/122/12202.htm).

The report was debated on 28 February(http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/ld201213/ldhansrd/text/130228-0002.htm).

It followed-up this up with a letter to RCUKexpressing concern about its revised openaccess policy in March(http://www.parliament.uk/business/committees/committees-a-z/lords-select/science-and-technology-committee/news/open-access-response-to-rcuk/).

A Government response to the report isexpected at the end of April.

Regenerative medicine

The Committee launched an inquiry intoregenerative medicine before the summerrecess. A group from the Committee visited theCalifornia Institute for Regenerative Medicine.Oral evidence was taken from October to March2013. The transcripts of these evidence sessionsand written submissions made are available onthe Committee’s website. The Committeeexpects to report in Summer 2013.

Higher Education in Science, Technology,Engineering and Maths (STEM) subjects

The Committee’s report was debated on thefloor of the House on 21 March(http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/ld201213/ldhansrd/text/130321-0003.htm).

Sports and exercise science and medicine

In May 2012, the Select Committee launcheda short inquiry into sports and exercise scienceand medicine to consider how the legacy ofLondon 2012 could be used to improveunderstanding of the benefits exercise canprovide for the wider public and in treatingchronic conditions. The Committee exploredhow robust this science is and how lessonslearnt from the study of athletes can be appliedto improve the health of the population

generally. The Committee held a seminar on 29thMay 2012, and took oral evidence during themonth of June from sports and exercise scientistsand clinicians, UK Sport, and officials andMinisters from the Department of Health and theDepartment for Culture, Media and Sport. TheCommittee published its report on 17 July 2012.The Government response was received inOctober 2012. The report will be debated in theHouse.

Forward work programme

Single oral evidence sessions are planned withSir John O’Reilly (Director General for Knowledgeand Innovation, Department for Business,Innovation and Skills) and Sir Mark Walport(Government Chief Scientific Adviser). As with allpublic evidence sessions, anyone is welcome toattend these meetings – they generally take placein Committee Room 4 of the House of LordsCommittee Corridor (although this should bechecked against the website and screens on theday).

Details of further inquiries will be published onthe Committee’s website once agreed.

FURTHER INFORMATION

The written and oral evidence to theCommittee’s inquiries mentioned above, as wellas the Calls for Evidence and other documentscan be found on the Committee’s website.Further information about the work of theCommittee can be obtained from Chris Atkinson,Committee Clerk, [email protected] or020 7219 4963. The Committee Office emailaddress is [email protected] .

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SELECTED DEBATES

Listed opposite (grouped bysubject area) is a selection ofDebates on matters of scientificinterest which took place in theHouse of Commons, House ofLords or Westminster Hallbetween 7th January and 27thMarch.

ANIMAL HEALTH AND WELFAREAnimal Experiments 5.2.13 HoC 33WH Henry SmithAntibiotics (Intensive Farming) 9.1.13 HoC 142WH Zac GoldsmithBee Health 26.3.13 HoC 460WH Sarah NewtonBee Population 10.1.13 HoL 307 Lord Moynihan

EDUCATIONDesign and Technology Curriculum 20.3.13 HoC 285WH Peter LuffEducation Committee Report (GCSE Reform) 31.1.13 HoC 1121 Graham StuartExamination Reform 16.1.13 HoC 877 Stephen Twigg et alHigher Education in Science, Technology, 21.3.13 HoL 759 Lord Willis ofEngineering and Mathematics: KnaresboroughS&T Committee ReportNational Curriculum 26.3.13 HoL GC233 Lord NashVisas: Student Visa Policy 31.1.13 HoL 1698 Lord MacGregor of

Pulham MarketVocational Education 28.2.13 HoL GC238 Lord Lucas

ENERGYBiomass Power Generation 20.3.13 HoC 294WH Nigel AdamsEnergy Infrastructure (UK Supply Chain) 26.3.13 HoC 1605 Peter Aldous

HEALTHAnorexia 25.2.13 HoL 918 Lord GiddensEating Disorder Awareness 14.2.13 HoC 323WH Caroline Nokes Global Health 25.3.13 HoL GC217 Lord CrispHorsemeat 31.1.13 HoC 251WH Steve ReedMedical Implants (EU and UK) 6.3.13 HoC 1032 Andrew MillerSelect Committee ReportMedical Innovation 16.1.13 HoL 756 Lord SaatchiNeglected Tropical Diseases 30.1.13 HoL 1603 Baroness Hayman

MISCELLANEOUSBiological Threats 10.1.13 HoL GC107 Lord Harris of

HaringeyEngineering Careers 13.2.13 HoC 305WH Nadine DorriesProtecting the Arctic 7.2.13 HoC 147WH Joan WalleyPublishing Industry 6.2.13 HoL GC49 Lord DubsResearch Councils UK: Open Access Policy 28.2.13 HoL 1196 Lord Krebs(S&T Report)

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SCIENCE DIRECTORY

AIRTO

Contact: Professor Richard Brook OBE FREng AIRTO Ltd: Association of IndependentResearch & Technology Organisations Limitedc/o The National Physical LaboratoryHampton RoadTeddingtonMiddlesex TW11 0LWTel: 020 8943 6600E-mail: [email protected]: www.airto.co.uk

AIRTO – The Association for Independent Research andTechnology Organisations – is the foremostmembership body for organisations operating in theUK’s intermediate research and technology sector.AIRTO’s members deliver vital innovation andknowledge transfer services which include applied andcollaborative R&D, frequently in conjunction withuniversities, consultancy, technology validation andtesting, incubation of commercialisation opportunitiesand early stage financing. AIRTO members have acombined turnover of over £2Bn from clients both athome and outside the UK, and employ over 20,000scientists, technologists and engineers.

Association of the BritishPharmaceuticalIndustry Contact: Dr Louise LeongHead of Research & Development7th Floor, Southside, 105 Victoria Street,London SW1E 6QTTel: 020 7747 7193Fax: 020 7747 1447E-mail: [email protected]: www.abpi.org.uk

The ABPI is the voice of the innovative pharmaceuticalindustry, working with Government, regulators and otherstakeholders to promote a receptive environment for astrong and progressive industry in the UK, one capable ofproviding the best medicines to patients.

The ABPI’s mission is to represent the pharmaceuticalindustry operating in the UK in a way that:• assures patient access to the best available medicine;• creates a favourable political and economic environment;• encourages innovative research and development; • affords fair commercial returns

Association of the British Pharmaceutical Industry

AIRTOAMPSBiochemical SocietyThe British Ecological SocietyBritish In Vitro Diagnostics Association (BIVDA)

British Measurement and Testing Association(BMTA)

British Nutrition FoundationBritish Pharmacological SocietyBritish Psychological SocietyBritish Science AssociationBritish Society for Antimicrobial ChemotherapyBritish Society for ImmunologyCavendish LaboratoryChartered Institute of Patent AttorneysClifton Scientific TrustThe Council for the Mathematical Sciences

Eli Lilly and Company LtdEngineeringUKThe Food and Environment Research AgencyGAMBICA Association LtdThe Geological SocietyInstitute of Food Science & TechnologyInstitute of Marine Engineering, Science andTechnology (IMarEST)The Institute of Measurement & ControlInstitute of PhysicsInstitute of Physics and Engineering in Medicine

Institution of Chemical EngineersInstitution of Civil EngineersInstitution of Engineering DesignersThe Institution of Engineering and TechnologyInstitution of Mechanical EngineersLGCThe Linnean SocietyL'Oréal

THE FOLLOWING ORGANISATIONS HAVE ENTRIES IN THE SCIENCE DIRECTORY:

Contact: Kate Baillie, CEOBiochemical SocietyCharles Darwin House12 Roger StreetLondon WC1N 2JUTel: 020 7685 2433Email: [email protected]: www.biochemistry.org

The Biochemical Society exists to promote andsupport the Molecular and Cellular Biosciences. Wehave over 6000 members in the UK and abroad,mostly research bioscientists in universities or inindustry. The Society is also a major scientificpublisher. In addition, we promote science policydebate and provide resources, for teachers andpupils, to support the bioscience curriculum inschools. Our membership supports our mission byorganizing scientific meetings, sustaining ourpublications through authorship and peer reviewand by supporting our educational and policyinitiatives.

The BritishEcologicalSocietyThe British Ecological SocietyContact: Martin Smith, Policy ManagerBritish Ecological SocietyCharles Darwin House, 12 Roger Street,London, WC1N 2JUEmail: [email protected]: 020 7685 2500 Fax : 020 7685 2501Website: www.BritishEcologicalSociety.orgEcology into Policy Bloghttp://britishecologicalsociety.org/blog/Twitter: @BESPolicyThe British Ecological Society’s mission is to advanceecology and make it count. The Society has 4,000members worldwide. The BES publishes fiveinternationally renowned scientific journals andorganises the largest scientific meeting for ecologists inEurope. Through its grants, the BES also supportsecologists in developing countries and the provision offieldwork in schools. The BES informs and advisesParliament and Government on ecological issues andwelcomes requests for assistance from parliamentarians.

AMPS

Contact:Tony Harding07895 162 896 for all queries whether formembership or assistance.Branch Office Address:Merchant Quay,Salford Quays,SalfordM50 3SG.

Website: www.amps-tradeunion.com

We are a Trades Union for Management andProfessional Staff working in the pharmaceutical,chemical and allied industries.

We also have a section for Professional Divers workingglobally. We represent a broad base of both office andfield based staff and use our influence to improveworking conditions on behalf of our members.

We are experts in performance based and field relatedissues and are affiliated to our counterparts in EUProfessional Management Unions.

BritishIn VitroDiagnostics Association(BIVDA)Contact: Doris-Ann Williams MBEBritish In Vitro Diagnostics Association(BIVDA), 1 Queen Anne’s Gate,London SW1H 9BT

Tel: 020 7957 4633Fax: 020 7957 4644E-mail: [email protected]: www.bivda.co.uk

BIVDA is the UK industry association representingcompanies who manufacture and/or distribute thediagnostics tests and equipment to diagnose,monitor and manage disease largely through theNHS pathology services. Increasingly diagnostics areused outside the laboratory in community settingsand also to identify those patients who wouldbenefit from specific drug treatment particularly forcancer.

Marine Biological AssociationMet OfficeMSDNational Physical LaboratoryNatural History MuseumNEF: The Innovation InstituteNestaThe Nutrition SocietyPHARMAQ LtdThe Physiological SocietyProspectThe Royal Academy of EngineeringRoyal Botanic Gardens, KewThe Royal InstitutionThe Royal SocietyThe Royal Society of ChemistrySociety for Applied MicrobiologySociety for General MicrobiologySociety of BiologySociety of Chemical Industry

Society of Cosmetic ScientistsSociety of Maritime IndustriesUniversities Federation for Animal WelfareThe Welding Institute

Research Councils UKBiotechnology and Biological SciencesResearch Council (BBSRC)Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC)

Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC)

Medical Research Council (MRC0Natural Environment Research Council (NERC)

Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC)

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British NutritionFoundationContact: Professor Judy Buttriss,Director GeneralImperial House 6th Floor15-19 KingswayLondon WC2B 6UNTel: +44(0) 20 7557 7930Email: [email protected]

Websites: www.nutrition.org.ukwww.foodafactoflife.org.uk

The British Nutrition Foundation (BNF) was

established over 40 years ago and exists to deliver

authoritative, evidence-based information on food

and nutrition in the context of health and lifestyle.

The Foundation’s work is conducted and

communicated through a unique blend of

nutrition science, education and media activities.

British Measurement & Testing Association, BMTAContact: Peter RussellCompany SecretaryBMTAEast Malling Enterprise CentreNew RoadEast Malling ME19 6BJTel: 01732 897452Fax: 01732 897453E-mail: [email protected]: www.bmta.co.uk

BMTA is the trade and technology association forlaboratory-based organisations and testing andcalibration service providers. We have over 100member companies representing the interests ofover 450 UKAS accredited laboratories. BMTAprovides its members with a wide range of liaison,lobbying, technical event and information services.BMTA is also very active in training initiatives andprovides its members with access to Europeanissues through our membership of EUROLAB.

Contact: Jonathan BrüünChief ExecutiveBritish Pharmacological SocietyThe Schild Plot, 16 Angel Gate, City Road, London EC1V 2PTTel: : 020 7239 0171Fax: 020 7417 0114Email: [email protected]: www.bps.ac.uk

The British Pharmacological Society is the primaryUK learned society concerned with research intodrugs and the way they work. Our 3000+ memberswork in academia, industry, regulatory agencies andthe health services, and many are medicallyqualified. We cover the whole spectrum ofpharmacology, including laboratory, clinical, andtoxicological aspects. Inquiries about the discovery,development and application of drugs arewelcome.

The BritishPsychologicalSocietyContact: Tanja SiggsPolicy Advisor - LegislationThe British Psychological SocietySt Andrews House48 Princess Road EastLeicester LE1 7DRTel: 0116 252 9526Email: [email protected]: www.bps.org.uk

The British Psychological Society is an organisationof over 48,000 members governed by RoyalCharter. It maintains the Register of CharteredPsychologists, publishes books, 11 primary scienceJournals and organises conferences. Requests forinformation about psychology and psychologistsfrom parliamentarians are very welcome.

British ScienceAssociation Contact: Sir Roland Jackson Bt,Chief ExecutiveBritish Science Association, Wellcome Wolfson Building, 165 Queen’s Gate,London SW7 5HD.E-mail:[email protected] Website: www.britishscienceassociation.org Imran Khan will be Chief Executive from 2.4.13

Our vision is a society in which people are able to accessscience, engage with it and feel a sense of ownershipabout its direction. In such a society science advanceswith, and because of, the involvement and active supportof the public.

Established in 1831, the British Science Association is aregistered charity which organises major initiatives acrossthe UK, including National Science and Engineering Week,the British Science Festival, programmes of regional andlocal events and the CREST programme for young peoplein schools and colleges. We provide opportunities for allages to discuss, investigate, explore and challenge science.

British Societyfor AntimicrobialChemotherapyMrs Tracey GuiseExecutive DirectorBritish Society for Antimicrobial ChemotherapyGriffin House53 Regent PlaceBirmingham B1 3NJT: 0121 236 1988W: www.bsac.org.uk

Founded in 1971, and with 800 membersworldwide, the Society exists to facilitate theacquisition and dissemination of knowledge in thefield of antimicrobial chemotherapy. The BSACpublishes the Journal of AntimicrobialChemotherapy (JAC), internationally renowned forits scientific excellence, undertakes a range ofeducational activities, awards grants for researchand has active relationships with its peer groupsand government.

CavendishLaboratoryThe Administrative Secretary, The CavendishLaboratory, J J Thomson Avenue, Cambridge CB3 0HE, UK.E-mail: [email protected]://www.phy.cam.ac.uk

The Cavendish Laboratory houses the Department of Physicsof the University of Cambridge.

The research programme covers the breadth ofcontemporary physics

Extreme Universe: Astrophysics, cosmology and highenergy physics

Quantum Universe: Cold atoms, condensed matter theory,scientific computing, quantum matter and semiconductorphysics

Materials Universe: Optoelectronics, nanophotonics,detector physics, thin film magnetism, surface physics andthe Winton programme for the physics of sustainability

Biological Universe: Physics of medicine, biologicalsystems and soft matter

The Laboratory has world-wide collaborations with otheruniversities and industry

Chartered Institute of Patent AttorneysContact: Lee Davies – Chief ExecutiveThe Chartered Institute of Patent Attorneys95 Chancery Lane, London WC2A 1DTTel: 020 7405 9450Fax: 020 7430 0471E-mail: [email protected]: www.cipa.org.uk

Members of CIPA practise in intellectual property,especially patents, trade marks, designs, andcopyright, either in private partnerships or industrialcompanies. Through its new regulatory Board, CIPAmaintains the statutory Register. It advisesgovernment and international circles on policyissues and provides information services, promotingthe benefits to UK industry of obtaining IPprotection, and to overseas industry of using Britishattorneys to obtain international protection.

Contact: Judith Willetts, CEOVintage House37 Albert EmbankmentLondon SE1 7TL.Tel: 020 3031 9800Fax: 020 7582 2882E-mail: [email protected]: www.immunology.org

The BSI is one of the oldest, largest and most activeimmunology societies in the world. We have over4,000 members who work in all areas ofimmunology, including research and clinicalpractice.

The BSI runs major scientific meetings, educationprogrammes and events for all ages. Wedisseminate top quality scientific research throughour journals and meetings and we are committed tobringing the wonders and achievements ofimmunology to as many audiences as possible.

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Clifton Scientific TrustContact: Dr Eric AlboneClifton Scientific Trust 49 Northumberland Road, Bristol BS6 7BATel: 0117 924 7664 Fax: 0117 924 7664E-mail: [email protected]: www.clifton-scientific.org

Science for Citizenship and Employability,Science for Life, Science for Real

We build grass-roots partnerships between school andthe wider world of professional science and itsapplications

• for young people of all ages and abilities

• experiencing science as a creative, questioning,human activity

• bringing school science added meaning andnotivation, from primary to post-16

• locally, nationally, internationally (currently between Britain and Japan)

Clifton Scientific Trust Ltd is registered charity 1086933

The Council for the Mathematical SciencesContact: Lindsay WalshDe Morgan House57-58 Russell SquareLondon WC1B 4HSTel: 020 7637 3686Fax: 020 7323 3655Email: [email protected]: www.cms.ac.uk

The Council for the Mathematical Sciences is anauthoritative and objective body that works to develop,influence and respond to UK policy issues affectingmathematical sciences in higher education andresearch, and therefore the UK economy and society by:• providing expert advice;• engaging with government, funding agencies and

other decision makers; • raising public awareness; and• facilitating communication between the

mathematical sciences community and otherstakeholders

Eli Lilly andCompanyLtdContact: Thom Thorp, Senior Director,Corporate AffairsTel: 01256 315000Fax: 01256 775858Eli Lilly and Company Ltd, Lilly HousePriestley Road, Basingstoke, Hants,RG24 9NLEmail. [email protected]: www.lilly.co.uk

Lilly UK is the UK affiliate of a major Americanpharmaceutical manufacturer, Eli Lilly and Companyof Indianapolis. This affiliate is one of the UK’s toppharmaceutical companies with significantinvestment in science and technology including aneuroscience research and development centre andbulk biotechnology manufacturing operations.

Lilly medicines treat schizophrenia, diabetes, cancer,osteoporosis, attention deficit hyperactivitydisorder, erectile dysfunction, depression, bipolardisorder, heart disease and many other diseases.

Contact: Miriam LaverickPR and Communications ManagerEngineeringUKWeston House, 246 High HolbornLondon WC1V 7EXTel: 020 3206 0444Fax: 020 3206 0401E-mail: [email protected]: www.EngineeringUK.com

EngineeringUK is an independent organisation thatpromotes the vital role of engineers, engineeringand technology in our society. EngineeringUKpartners business and industry, Government and thewider science and technology community:producing evidence on the state of engineering;sharing knowledge within engineering, andinspiring young people to choose a career inengineering, matching employers’ demand forskills.

The Food andEnvironmentResearch AgencyContact: Professor Robert EdwardsChief ScientistThe Food and Environment Research AgencySand Hutton, York, YO41 1LZTel: 01904 462415Fax: 01904 462486E-mail: [email protected]: www.defra.gov.uk/fera

The Food and Environment Research Agency’s overarching purpose is to support and develop asustainable food chain, a healthy naturalenvironment, and to protect the global communityfrom biological and chemical risks.

Our role within that is to provide robust evidence,rigorous analysis and professional advice toGovernment, international organisations and theprivate sector.

GAMBICAAssociation Ltd

Contact: Dr Graeme PhilpBroadwall House21 BroadwallLondon SE1 9PLTel: 020 7642 8080 Fax: 020 7642 8096E-mail: [email protected] Website: www.gambica.org.uk

GAMBICA Association is the UK trade associationfor instrumentation, control, automation andlaboratory technology. The association seeks topromote the successful development of the industryand assist its member companies through a broadrange of services, including technical policy andstandards, commercial issues, market data andexport services.

TheGeologicalSocietyContact: Nic BilhamHead of Strategy and External RelationsBurlington HousePiccadillyLondon W1J 0BGTel: 020 7434 9944Fax: 020 7439 8975E-mail: [email protected]: www.geolsoc.org.uk

The Geological Society is the national learned andprofessional body for Earth sciences, with 10,000Fellows (members) worldwide. The Fellowshipencompasses those working in industry, academiaand government, with a wide range of perspectivesand views on policy-relevant science, and theSociety is a leading communicator of this science togovernment bodies and other non-technicalaudiences.

Institute of FoodScience &TechnologyContact: Angela Winchester5 Cambridge Court210 Shepherds Bush RoadLondon W6 7NJTel: 020 7603 6316Fax: 020 7602 9936E-mail: [email protected]: www.ifst.org

IFST is the independent qualifying body for foodprofessionals in Europe. Membership is drawn fromall over the world from backgrounds includingindustry, universities, government, research anddevelopment and food law enforcement.

IFST’s activities focus on disseminating knowledgerelating to food science and technology andpromoting its application. Another importantelement of our work is to promote and upholdstandards amongst food professionals.

Institute ofMarine Engineering,Science andTechnology (IMarEST)Contact: John WillsInstitute of Marine Engineering, Scienceand Technology (IMarEST), Aldgate House,33 Aldgate High Street, London, EC3N 1EN

Tel: +44(0) 20 7382 2600Fax: +44(0) 20 7382 2667E-mail: [email protected]: www.imarest.org

Established in London in 1889, the IMarEST is aleading international membership body and learnedsociety for marine professionals, with over 15,000members worldwide. The IMarEST has an extensivemarine network of 50 international branches,affiliations with major marine societies around theworld, representation on the key marine technicalcommittees and non-governmental status at theInternational Maritime Organization (IMO) as wellas other intergovernmental organisations.

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Contact: Joseph Winters76 Portland Place, London W1B 1NTTel: 020 7470 4815E-mail: [email protected]: www.iop.org

The Institute of Physics is a leading scientific

society. We are a charitable organisation with a

worldwide membership of around 50,000,

working together to advance physics education,

research and application.

We engage with policymakers and the general

public to develop awareness and understanding

of the value of physics and, through IOP

Publishing, we are world leaders in professional

scientific communications. Visit us at

www.iop.org.

The Institute ofMeasurementand ControlContact: Mr Peter Martindale,CEO and SecretaryThe Institute of Measurement and Control87 Gower Street, London WC1E 6AFTel: +44 (0) 20 73874949Fax: +44 (0) 20 73888431E-mail: [email protected] Website: www.instmc.org.ukReg Charity number: 269815

The Institute of Measurement and Control provides aforum for personal contact amongst practiioners,publishes learned papers and is a professionalexamining and qualifying organisation able to conferthe titles EurIng, CEng, IEng, EngTech; Companies andUniversities may apply to become Companions.Headquartered in London, the Institute has a strongregional base with 15 UK, 1 Hong Kong and 1 MalaysiaLocal Section, a bilateral agreement with the ChinaInstrument Society and other major international links.

Contact: Rosemary Cook CBE (CEO)Fairmount House, 230 Tadcaster Road,York, YO24 1ESTel: 01904 610821 Fax: 01904 612279E-mail: [email protected]: www.ipem.ac.uk

IPEM is a registered, incorporated charity for theadvancement, in the public interest, of physics andengineering applied to medicine and biology. Itaccredits medical physicists, clinical engineers andclinical technologists through its membership register,organises training and CPD for them, and providesopportunities for the dissemination of knowledgethrough publications and scientific meetings. IPEM islicensed by the Science Council to award CSci, RSci andRSciTech, and by the Engineering Council to awardCEng, IEng and EngTech.

Institute ofPhysics andEngineeringin Medicine

Institution of Civil EngineersContact: Joanna Gonet, Public Affairs Manager,One Great George Street, Westminster,London SW1P 3AA, UKTel: 020 7665 2123E-mail: [email protected]: www.ice.org.uk

Representing over 80,000 professional civil engineers aroundthe world, ICE actively contributes to the development ofpublic policy at all levels of government in areas concerninginfrastructure, engineering and our quality of life. Established in 1818, ICE is recognised worldwide for itsexcellence as a centre of learning, as a qualifying body andas a public voice for the profession. Our members design,build and maintain the infrastructure that keeps our countryrunning.Under our Royal Charter, we have a duty to provideindependent, expert advice on infrastructure issues for thebenefit of the public and to serve wider society. We are seenby Parliament and industry alike as the authoritative voice ofinfrastructure.

Institution ofEngineeringDesigners

Contact: Libby BrodhurstCourtleighWestbury LeighWestburyWiltshire BA13 3TATel: 01373 822801Fax: 01373 858085E-mail: [email protected]: www.ied.org.uk

The only professional membership body solely forthose working in engineering and technologicalproduct design. Engineering Council and CharteredEnvironmentalist registration for suitably qualifiedmembers. Membership includes experts on a widerange of engineering and product designdisciplines, all of whom practise, manage oreducate in design.

LGCQueens Road, TeddingtonMiddlesex, TW11 0LYTel: +44 (0)20 8943 7000 Fax: +44 (0)20 8943 2767E-mail: [email protected]: www.lgcgroup.com

LGC is an international science-based company andmarket leader in the provision of analytical, forensicand diagnostic services and reference standards tocustomers in the public and private sectors.

Under the Government Chemist function, LGCfulfils specific statutory duties as the referee analystand provides advice for Government and the wideranalytical community on the implications ofanalytical chemistry for matters of policy, standardsand regulation. LGC is also the UK’s designatedNational Measurement Institute for chemical andbiochemical analysis.

With headquarters in Teddington, South WestLondon, LGC has 36 laboratories and centres acrossEurope and at sites in China, Brazil, India, SouthAfrica and the US.

Institution ofMechanicalEngineersContact: Kate Heywood1 Birdcage WalkLondon SW1H 9JJTel: 020 7973 1293E-mail: [email protected]: www.imeche.org

The Institution provides politicians and civil servants

with information, expertise and advice on a diverse

range of subjects, focusing on manufacturing,

energy, environment, transport and education

policy. We regularly publish policy statements and

host political briefings and policy events to establish

a working relationship between the engineering

profession and parliament.

Contact: Paul DaviesIET,Michael Faraday House,Six Hills Way,Stevenage,SG1 2AYTel: +44(0) 1438 765687Email: [email protected]: www.theiet.org

The IET is a world leading professional organisation,sharing and advancing knowledge to promotescience, engineering and technology across theworld. Dating back to 1871, the IET has 150,000members in 127 countries with offices in Europe,North America, and Asia-Pacific.

sip WHITSUN 2013 7/5/13 11:22


Contact: Julie McManus

255 Hammersmith Road, London, W6 8AZ

Tel: 020 8762 4489

E-mail: [email protected]

Website: www.loreal.co.uk

L’Oréal employs more than 3,500 scientists

around the world and dedicates over 500

million euros each year to research and

innovation in the field of healthy skin and hair.

The company collaborates with a vast number

of institutions in the UK and globally.

Contact: Rob PinnockEuropean External Scientific AffairsWorldwide Licensing & AcquisitionsMSDHertford RoadHoddesdonHerts EN11 9BUTel: 01992 452850e-mail: [email protected]

MSD is a tradename of Merck & Co., Inc., with

headquarters in Whitehouse Station, N.J., U.S.A.

MSD is an innovative, global health care leader that

is committed to improving health and well-being

around the world. MSD discovers, develops,

manufactures, and markets vaccines, medicines,

and consumer and animal health products designed

to help save and improve lives.

National Physical LaboratoryContact: Fiona AutyNational Physical LaboratoryHampton Road, TeddingtonMiddlesex TW11 0LWTel: 020 8977 3222Website: www.npl.co.uk/contact-us

The National Physical Laboratory (NPL) is the UnitedKingdom’s national measurement institute, aninternationally respected and independent centre ofexcellence in research, development andknowledge transfer in measurement and materialsscience. For more than a century, NPL hasdeveloped and maintained the nation’s primarymeasurement standards - the heart of aninfrastructure designed to ensure accuracy,consistency and innovation in physicalmeasurement.

Contact: Dr Elizabeth Rollinson, Executive SecretaryThe Linnean Society of LondonBurlington House, Piccadilly,London W1J 0BFTel: 020 7434 4479 ext 12E-mail: [email protected]: www.linnean.org

The Linnean Society of London is a professionallearned body which promotes natural history in allits branches, and was founded in 1788. The Societyis particularly active in the areas of biodiversity,conservation and sustainability, supporting itsmission through organising open scientificmeetings and publishing peer-reviewed journals, aswell as undertaking educational initiatives. TheSociety’s Fellows have a considerable range ofbiological expertise that can be harnessed to informand advise on scientific and public policy issues.

A Forum for Natural History

Marine BiologicalAssociation

Contact: Dr Matthew FrostMarine Biological Association, TheLaboratory, Citadel Hill, Plymouth, PL1 2PBTel: 07848028388Fax: 01752 633102E-mail: [email protected]: mba.ac.uk

For over 125 years the Marine BiologicalAssociation has been delivering its mission ‘topromote scientific research into all aspects of life inthe sea, including the environment on which itdepends, and to disseminate to the public theknowledge gained.’ The MBA has extensiveresearch and knowledge exchange programmesand a long history of providing evidence to supportpolicy. It represents its members in providing a clearindependent voice to government on behalf of themarine biological community.

Met Office

Contact: John Harmer Met Office127 Clerkenwell RoadLondon EC1R 5LP.Tel: 020 7204 7469E-mail: [email protected]: www.metoffice.gov.uk

The Met Office doesn’t just forecast the weather ontelevision. Our forecasts and warnings protect UKcommunities and infrastructure from severeweather and environmental hazards every day –they save lives and money. Our Climate Programmedelivers evidence to underpin Government policy.Our Mobile Meteorological Unit supports theArmed Forces around the world. We build capacityoverseas in support of international development.All of this built on world-class environmentalscience.

NaturalHistoryMuseumContact: Joe BakerThe Director’s OfficeNatural History MuseumCromwell Road, London SW7 5BDTel: +44 (0)20 7942 5478Fax: +44 (0)20 7942 5075E-mail: [email protected]: www.nhm.ac.uk

We maintain and develop the collections we care for anduse them to promote the discovery, understanding,responsible use and enjoyment of the natural world.

We are part of the UK’s science base as a major scienceinfrastructure which is used by our scientists and others fromacross the UK and the globe working together to enhanceknowledge on the diversity of the natural world.

Our value to society is vested in our research responses tochallenges facing the natural world today, in engaging ourvisitors in the science of nature, in inspiring and training thenext generation of scientists and in being a major culturaltourist destination.

The Science of Nature

NEF: The Innovation InstituteContact: Robyn BurrissBective House, 10 Bective Place, London, SW15 2PZTel: 0208 786 3677Fax: 0208 271 3620E-mail: [email protected]: www.thenef.org.uk

The Innovation Institute is the leading provider of innovation andgrowth solutions to business, education and government.Through our strategic programmes we help our clients andstakeholders to:� Achieve performance excellence� Drive entrepreneurship� Diversify products and markets� Develop innovative cultures� Influence policy to stimulate innovation

Our charitable arm, the New Engineering Foundation, supportsvocational scientific and technical skills development at strategiclevel. In addition, our Institute of Innovation and KnowledgeExchange is a professional body and “do tank”, led by theInnovation Council to support the role of innovation in society.

Nesta

Contact: Cordia LewisHead of External Affairs and Events1 Plough PlaceLondon EC4A 1DETel: 020 7438 2697Fax: 020 7438 2501

Nesta is the UK’s innovation foundation with a mission tohelp people and organisations bring great ideas to life.We do this by providing investments and grants andmobilising research, networks and skills.

Nesta doesn’t work alone. We rely on the strength of thepartnerships we form with other innovators, communityorganisations, educators and investors too.

We are an independent charity and our work is enabledby an endowment from the National Lottery.

Nesta Operating Company is a registered charity inEngland and Wales with a company number 7706036and charity number 1144091. Registered as a charity inScotland number SC042833. Registered office: 1 PloughPlace, London, EC4A 1DE.

www.nesta.org.uk

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The Nutrition SocietyContact: Frederick Wentworth-Bowyer,Chief Executive, The Nutrition Society,10 Cambridge Court, 210 Shepherds Bush RoadLondon W6 7NJTel: +44 (0)20 7602 0228Fax: +44 (0)20 7602 1756Email: [email protected]

Founded in 1941, The Nutrition Society is the premierscientific body dedicated to advance the scientific studyof nutrition and its application to the maintenance ofhuman and animal health.

Highly regarded by the scientific community, the Societyis the largest learned society for nutrition in Europe.Membership is worldwide and is open to those with agenuine interest in the science of human or animalnutrition. Principal activities include:

1. Disseminating scientific information through itsprogramme of scientific meetings and publications

2. Publishing internationally renowned scientific learnedjournals, and textbooks

3. Promoting the education and training of nutritionists

4. Engaging with external organisations and the public topromote good nutritional science

PHARMAQ LtdContact: Dr Benjamin P North PHARMAQ Ltd Unit 15 Sandleheath Industrial Estate Fordingbridge Hants SP6 1PA. Tel: 01425 656081 E-mail: [email protected] Website: www.pharmaq.no

PHARMAQ is the only global pharmaceutical companywith a primary focus on aquaculture. We provideenvironmentally sound, safe and efficacious healthproducts to the global aquaculture industry throughtargeted research and the commitment of dedicatedpeople. Our product range includes vaccines, anaesthetics,antibiotics, sea lice treatments and biocide disinfectants.We also recently acquired a diagnostics company,PHARMAQ Analytiq, which offers a range of diagnosticsservices that help to safeguard fish welfare and improveproductivity in the global aquaculture industry.

Contact: Dr Philip WrightChief Executive Hodgkin Huxley House30 Farringdon LaneLondon EC1R 3AWTel: +44 (0) 20 7269 5710E-mail: [email protected]: www.physoc.org

The Physiological Society brings together over 3000scientists from over 60 countries. Since itsfoundation in 1876, our Members have madesignificant contributions to the understanding ofbiological systems and the treatment of disease. TheSociety promotes physiology with the public andParliament alike, and actively engages with policymakers. It supports physiologists by organisingworld-class conferences and offering grants forresearch. It also publishes the latest developments inthe field in its two leading scientific journals, TheJournal of Physiology and Experimental Physiology.

Prospect

Contact: Sue Ferns, Director of Communications and Research,New Prospect House8 Leake St, London SE1 7NNTel: 020 7902 6639 Fax: 020 7902 6637E-mail: [email protected]

Prospect is an independent, thriving and forward-looking trade union with 120,000 members acrossthe private and public sectors and a diverse range ofoccupations. We represent scientists, technologistsand other professions in the civil service, researchcouncils and private sector.

Prospect’s collective voice champions the interests ofthe engineering and scientific community to keyopinion-formers and policy makers. Withnegotiating rights with over 300 employers, we seekto secure a better life at work by putting members’pay, conditions and careers first.

Contact: Iffat MemonPublic Affairs ManagerThe Royal Academy of Engineering3 Carlton House TerraceLondon SW1Y 5DGTel: 020 7766 0653E-mail: [email protected]: www.raeng.org.uk

Founded in 1976, The Royal Academy of Engineeringpromotes the engineering and technological welfareof the country. Our activities – led by the UK’s mosteminent engineers – develop the links betweenengineering, technology, and the quality of life. As anational academy, we provide impartial advice toGovernment; work to secure the next generation ofengineers; and provide a voice for Britain’sengineering community.

Contact: Director’s Office, Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, Richmond,Surrey, TW9 3ABTel: 020 83325112 Fax: 020 83325109Email: [email protected]: www.kew.org

RBG Kew is a centre of global scientific expertise in plantand fungal diversity, conservation and sustainable use,housed in two world-class gardens. Kew is a non-departmental public body with exempt charitable statusand receives approximately half its funding fromgovernment through Defra. Kew’s Breathing PlanetProgramme has seven key priorities:

• Accelerating discovery and global access to plant andfungal diversity information

• Mapping and prioritising habitats most at risk• Conserving what remains• Sustainable local use of plants and fungi• Banking seed from 25% of plant species in the

Millennium Seed Bank Partnership• Restoring and repairing habitats• Inspiring through botanic gardens

Kew’s mission is to inspire and deliver science-based plantconservation worldwide, enhancing the quality of life.

Royal BotanicGardens, Kew

Contact: Dr Gail CardewDirector of Science and EducationThe Royal Institution21 Albemarle Street, London W1S 4BSTel: 020 7409 2992 Fax: 020 7670 2920E-mail: [email protected]: www.rigb.org, www.richannel.orgTwitter: ri_science

The core activities of the Royal Institution centrearound four main themes: science education,science communication, research and heritage. It isperhaps best known for the Ri Christmas Lectures,but it also has a public events programme and anonline science short-film channel, as well as a UK-wide Young People’s Programme of science andmathematics enrichment activities. Internationallyrecognised research programmes in bio- andnanomagnetism take place in the Davy FaradayResearch Laboratory.

The Royal SocietyContact: Dr Peter CotgreaveDirector of Fellowship and Scientific AffairsThe Royal Society, 6-9 Carlton House TerraceLondon SW1Y 5AG.Tel: 020 7451 2502 Fax: 020 7930 2170Email: [email protected]: www.royalsociety.org

The Royal Society is the UK academy of science

comprising 1400 outstanding individuals

representing the sciences, engineering and

medicine. It has had a hand in some of the most

innovative and life-changing discoveries in scientific

history. Through its Fellowship and permanent staff,

it seeks to ensure that its contribution to shaping

the future of science in the UK and beyond has a

deep and enduring impact.

The Royal Societyof ChemistryContact: Dr Matthew BrownGovernment Affairs ManagerRoyal Society of Chemistry, Burlington HousePiccadilly, London W1J 0BATel: 020 7440 3306Fax: 020 7440 3393Email: [email protected]

Website: http://www.rsc.orghttp://www.chemsoc.org

The Royal Society of Chemistry is a learned,professional and scientific body of over 48,000members with a duty under its Royal Charter “toserve the public interest”. It is active in the areas ofeducation and qualifications, science policy,publishing, Europe, information and internetservices, media relations, public understanding ofscience, advice and assistance to Parliament andGovernment.

sip WHITSUN 2013 7/5/13 11:22


Society of Maritime IndustriesContact: John MurraySociety of Maritime Industries28-29 Threadneedle Street,London EC2R 8AYTel: 020 7628 2555 Fax: 020 7638 4376E-mail: [email protected] Website: www.maritimeindustries.org

The Society of Maritime Industries is the voice of the

UK’s maritime engineering and business sector

promoting and supporting companies which

design, build, refit and modernise ships, and supply

equipment and services for all types of commercial

and naval ships, ports and terminals infrastructure,

offshore oil & gas, maritime security & safety,

marine science and technology and marine

renewable energy.

Societyof Biology

Contact: Dr Stephen BennDirector Parliamentary AffairsCharles Darwin House12 Roger StreetLondon WC1N 2JUTel: 020 7685 2550E-mail: [email protected]

The Society of Biology has a duty under its RoyalCharter “to serve the public benefit” by advisingParliament and Government is a single unified voicefor biology: advising Government and influencingpolicy; advancing education and professionaldevelopment; supporting our members, andengaging and encouraging public interest in the lifesciences. The Society represents a diversemembership of over 80,000 - including, students,practising scientists and interested non-professionals - as individuals, or through learnedsocieties and other organisations.

Contact: Dariel BurdassHead of CommunicationsSociety for General MicrobiologyMarlborough House, Basingstoke Road,Spencers Wood, Reading RG7 1AG.Tel: 0118 988 1802 Fax: 0118 988 5656E-mail: [email protected]: www.sgm.ac.uk

SGM is the largest microbiological society inEurope. The Society publishes four journals ofinternational standing, and organises regularscientific meetings.

SGM also promotes education and careers inmicrobiology, and it is committed to representmicrobiology to government, the media and thepublic.

An information service on microbiological issuesconcerning aspects of medicine, agriculture, foodsafety, biotechnology and the environment isavailable on request.

UniversitiesFederation for Animal WelfareContact: Dr James KirkwoodChief Executive and Scientific DirectorThe Old School, Brewhouse HillWheathampstead, Herts. AL4 8AN.Tel: 01582 831818. Fax: 01582 831414.Email: [email protected]: www.ufaw.org.uk Registered in England Charity No: 207996

UFAW is an international, independent scientificand educational animal welfare charity. It works toimprove animal lives by:

• supporting animal welfare research.

• educating and raising awareness of welfareissues in the UK and overseas.

• producing the leading journal Animal Welfareand other high-quality publications on animalcare and welfare.

• providing expert advice to governmentdepartments and other concerned bodies.

Contact: Chris EadyThe Welding Institute, Granta Park, GreatAbington, Cambridge, CB21 6AL

Tel: 01223 899614Fax:01223 894219E-mail: [email protected]: www.twi.co.uk

The Welding Institute is the leading engineeringinstitution with expertise in solving problems in allaspects of manufacturing, fabrication and whole-lifeintegrity management.

Personal membership provides professionaldevelopment for engineers and technicians, andregistration as Chartered or Incorporated Engineer, orEngineering Technician.

Industrial membership provides access to one of theworld’s foremost independent research and technologyorganisations.

TWI creates value and enhances quality of life forMembers and stakeholders through engineering,materials and joining technologies.

Society of Cosmetic Scientists

Contact: Gem Bektas,Secretary GeneralSociety of Cosmetic ScientistsLangham House WestSuite 5, Mill Street, Luton LU1 2NATel: 01582 726661Fax: 01582 405217E-mail: [email protected]: www.scs.org.uk

Advancing the science of cosmetics is the primaryobjective of the SCS. Cosmetic science covers a widerange of disciplines from organic and physicalchemistry to biology and photo-biology, dermatology,microbiology, physical sciences and psychology.

Members are scientists and the SCS helps themprogress their careers and the science of cosmeticsethically and responsibly. Services includepublications, educational courses and scientificmeetings.

Society of Chemical Industry (SCI)

Contact: Reshna RadivenSCI14-15 Belgrave SquareLondon SW1X 8PSTel: 020 7598 1500Fax: 020 7235 7743E-mail: [email protected]: www.soci.org

SCI is an inclusive, multi-disciplinary forumconnecting scientists and business people toadvance the commercial application of chemistryand related sciences for public benefit. SCI is opento all to join and share information, ideas,innovations and research. Members can networkwith specialists from sectors as diverse as food andbio-renewables, water, waste and environment,energy, materials, manufacturing and health.

Society forAppliedMicrobiologyContact: Philip WheatSociety for Applied MicrobiologyBedford Heights, Brickhill DriveBedford MK41 7PHTel: 01234 326661Fax: 01234 326678E-mail: [email protected] Website: www.sfam.org.uk

SfAM is the oldest UK microbiological society andaims to advance, for the benefit of the public, thescience of microbiology in its application to theenvironment, human and animal health, agricultureand industry.

SfAM is the voice of applied microbiology withmembers across the globe and works in partnershipwith sister organisations to exert influence onpolicy-makers world-wide.

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Biotechnologyand BiologicalSciences Research Council(BBSRC)Contact: Matt GoodeHead of External RelationsBBSRC, Polaris House, North Star AvenueSwindon SN2 1UH. Tel: 01793 413299E-mail: [email protected]: www.bbsrc.ac.uk

BBSRC invests in world-class bioscience researchand training on behalf of the UK public. Our aim isto further scientific knowledge to promoteeconomic growth, wealth and job creation and toimprove quality of life in the UK and beyond. BBSRCresearch is helping society to meet majorchallenges, including food security, green energyand healthier, longer lives and underpins importantUK economic sectors, such as farming, food,industrial biotechnology and pharmaceuticals.

Research Councils UKContact: Alexandra SaxonHead of CommunicationsResearch Councils UKPolaris HouseNorth Star AvenueSwindon SN2 1ET

Tel: 01793 444592E-mail: [email protected]: www.rcuk.ac.uk

Each year the Research Councils invest around £3 billion in research covering the full spectrum of academicdisciplines from the medical and biological sciences to astronomy, physics, chemistry and engineering, socialsciences, economics, environmental sciences and the arts and humanities.

Research Councils UK is the strategic partnerships of the seven Research Councils. It aims to:

• increase the collective visibility, leadership and influence of the Research Councils for the benefit of theUK;

• lead in shaping the overall portfolio of research funded by the Research Councils to maximise theexcellence and impact of UK research, and help to ensure that the UK gets the best value for money fromits investment;

• ensure joined-up operations between the Research Councils to achieve its goals and improve services tothe communities it sponsors and works with.

Contact: Sarah Cooper, Public Affairs Manager, EPSRC, Polaris House, North Star Avenue, Swindon SN2 1ETTel: 01793 442892E-mail: [email protected]:www.epsrc.ac.uk

EPSRC is the UK’s main agency for funding researchin engineering and physical sciences, investingaround £800m a year in research and postgraduatetraining, to help the nation handle the nextgeneration of technological change.

The areas covered range from informationtechnology to structural engineering, andmathematics to materials science. This researchforms the basis for future economic development inthe UK and improvements for everyone’s health,lifestyle and culture. EPSRC works alongside otherResearch Councils with responsibility for other areasof research.

MedicalResearchCouncilContact: Louise Wren, Public Affairs andStakeholder Engagement ManagerOne Kemble Street, London WC2B 4AN.Tel: 020 7395 2277E-mail: [email protected]: www.mrc.ac.uk

Over the past century, the MRC has been at the forefrontof scientific discovery to improve human health. Foundedin 1913 to tackle tuberculosis, the MRC now investstaxpayers’ money in the highest quality medical researchacross every area of health. Twenty-nine MRC-fundedresearchers have won Nobel prizes in a wide range ofdisciplines, and MRC scientists have been behind suchdiverse discoveries as vitamins, the structure of DNA andthe link between smoking and cancer, as well asachievements such as pioneering the use of randomisedcontrolled trials, the invention of MRI scanning, and thedevelopment of therapeutic antibodies. We also workclosely with the UK’s Health Departments, the NHS,medical research charities and industry to ensure ourresearch achieves maximum impact as well as being ofexcellent scientific quality.

NaturalEnvironmentResearch CouncilContact : Judy ParkerHead of CommunicationsNERC, Polaris House, North Star Avenue,Swindon SN2 1EUTel: 01793 411646 Fax: 01793 411510E-mail: [email protected]: www.nerc.ac.uk

The NERC invests public money in cutting-edge research,training and knowledge transfer in the environmentalsciences – through Universities and our own researchcentres. We work from the poles to the ocean depthsand to the edge of space, researching critical issues suchas biodiversity loss, climate change and natural hazards.Through collaboration with other science disciplines,with UK business and with policy-makers, we deliverknowledge and skills to support sustainable economicgrowth and public wellbeing – reducing risks to health,infrastructure and supply chains, and the naturalenvironment on which we all depend.

Science &TechnologyFacilities CouncilMark FosterPublic Affairs ManagerRutherford Appleton LaboratoryHarwell Science & Innovation CampusDidcot OX11 0QXTel: 01235 778328 Fax: 01235 445 808E-mail: [email protected]: www.stfc.ac.uk

The Science and Technology Facilities Council is one ofEurope’s largest multidisciplinary research organisationssupporting scientists and engineers world-wide. TheResearch Council operates world-class, large-scaleresearch facilities and provides strategic advice to theUK Government on their development. The STFCpartners in two of the UK’s Science and InnovationCampuses. It also manages international researchprojects in support of a broad cross-section of the UKresearch community, particularly in the fields ofastronomy, nuclear physics and particle physics. TheCouncil directs, co-ordinates and funds research,education and training.

Economic andSocial ResearchCouncilContact: Jacky Clake, Head of Communications,Economic and Social Research Council,Polaris House, North Star Avenue,Swindon SN2 1UJTel: 01793 413117E-mail: [email protected]: www.esrc.ac.uk

The ESRC is the UK’s leading research and trainingagency addressing economic and social concerns.We pursue excellence in social science research;work to increase the impact of our research onpolicy and practice; and provide trained socialscientists who meet the needs of users andbeneficiaries, thereby contributing to the economiccompetitiveness of the United Kingdom, theeffectiveness of public services and policy, andquality of life. The ESRC is independent, establishedby Royal Charter in 1965, and funded mainly bygovernment.

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Published by the Parliamentary and Scientific Committee, 3 Birdcage Walk, London SW1H 9JJ.

Published four times a year. The 2013 subscripton rate is £80. Single numbers £20. ISSN 0263-6271

All enquiries, including those from members wishing to take the front or back covers, advertise in the journal or appear in the directory to Mrs Annabel Lloyd, Tel 020 7222 7085

Copyright ©2013 by Parliamentary and Scientific Committee. All rights reserved. None of the articles in this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form, or by any means, electronic, mechanical,photocopying recording or otherwise without the prior written permission of the copyright owner.

Typeset and printed by The Bridge Press.

OFFICERS OF THE PARLIAMENTARY& SCIENTIFIC COMMITTEE

President: The Rt Hon the Lord Jenkin of Roding

Chairman: Mr Andrew Miller MPDeputy Chairman: Mr Tom Blenkinsop MPHon Treasurer: The Lord Willis of

KnaresboroughHon Secretary: Mr Stephen Mosley MPVice-Presidents: Dr David Dent

Professor Peter SaundersMr Robert FreerDr Douglas Naysmith

Dr Desmond TurnerMr Paul RidoutMr Philip Greenish CBEMr John Slater

Advisory Panel: Dr Stephen BennMr David YoudanDr Stuart Taylor

Secretariat: Professor Alan MalcolmMrs Annabel Lloyd

3 Birdcage WalkLondon SW1H 9JJT: 020 7222 7085F: 020 7222 7189

www.scienceinparliament.org.ukEditor: Professor Alan MalcolmEditorial Assistant: Annabel Lloyd

The production of this issue has been supported bycontributions from the London Mathematical Society, theNuclear Technology Education Consortium, the Royal Society,the Society of Biology and those organisations who haveentries in the Science Directory (pages 52-59).


THE PARLIAMENTARY ANDSCIENTIFIC COMMITTEETel: 020 7222 [email protected]

Tuesday 14 May 17.30Water PuritySpeakers: Clive Harward, Head of WaterQuality and Environmental Performance,Anglian Water Group; Kevin Prior, Chair,Royal Society of Chemistry Water SciencesGroup; Professor Helen Jarvie, Centre ForEcology And Hydrology, Wallingford.

Tuesday 11 June 16.30Annual General Meeting

17.30 Discussion Meeting on Antibiotics

Tuesday 9 July 17.30Bees and other Insects beneficial toHumans

Tuesday 22 OctoberSmart Buildings

Tuesday 5 NovemberAnnual Lunch

Tuesday 19 NovemberA Good Immigration Policy for Science

Tuesday 10 DecemberDeep Sea Mining to include Protection ofthe Seabed–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––

THE ROYAL SOCIETYWebsite: royalsociety.org

The Royal Society hosts a series of freeevents, including evening lectures andconferences, covering the whole breadth ofscience, engineering and technology forpublic, policy and scientific audiences.Events are held at the Royal Society’s officesin London, at the Royal Society at ChicheleyHall, home of the Kavli Royal SocietyInternational Centre, Buckinghamshire andother venues.

Many past events are available to watch orlisten to online at http://royalsociety.tv Thecollection includes events with speakerssuch as Jocelyn Bell Burnell FRS, ValMcDermid and Professor Brian Cox OBE.

Details of all our events can be found onour website at royalsociety.org/events–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––

THE ROYAL INSTITUTION21 Albemarle StreetLondon W1S 4BS.

Details of future events can be found atwww.rigb.orgBooking is essential. For more informationand to book visit www.rigb.orgThere is a charge for tickets. Members go free.–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––

PARLIAMENTARY OFFICE OFSCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

For details of events organised by POST visit

http://www.parliament.uk/mps-lords-and-offices/offices/bicameral/post/post-events/

–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––

SCIENCE DIARY

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Image: Rolls-Royce high-value blisk (bladed disk) used mainly in

aerospace engine design. Registered Charity No 207043. DES2936

Year of Science and IndustrySupporting innovative science together

research, our Year of Science and Industry showcases excellence in UK industrial science and strengthens links between the Society, industry, academia and the public.

For more information visit royalsociety.org/events/2013/year-science-industry

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