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SET for BRITAIN SCIENCE IN PARLIAMENT Ground Engineering Mathematics Matters Peer Review

sip WHITSUN 2012

Is Britain nurturing SciTech innovation?

How innovation and knowledge exchange are essential for growth

The Journal of the Parliamentary and Scientific Committee www.scienceinparliament.org.uk Parliament10495 sip ad_Layout WHITSUN 1 2012 04/04/2012 11/5/12 10:32 Page12:03 1 Page 2

The Age of Diagnostics: Making a real difference to 21st Century Healthcare

Seventy percent of clinical decisions are based on an in vitro diagnostic (IVD) test. These have an increasing role to play to deliver cost effective healthcare and improve outcomes for patients.

However, to fully realise these patient benefits and cost efficiencies we need the Government to:

• Encourage increased access to point of care diagnostics in the community – allowing more rapid treatment of patients in a setting convenient for their daily lives

• Address the way money flows within the NHS to reduce perverse incentives which block the use of new tests or better use of existing tests

• Recognise the value companion diagnostics bring to targeting drug treatment

About BIVDA BIVDA is the national industry association for the manufacturers and distributors of IVD products in the UK. We currently represent more than 90% of the industry and over a hundred organisations ranging from British start-up companies to UK subsidiaries of multinational corporations. BIVDA members employ over 8,000 people in this country including in manufacturing and R&D, with a total industry turnover of approximately £900 million of direct sales.

Please don’t hesitate to contact the Chief Executive, Doris-Ann Williams if you would like any further information about any of the aspects of this issue or about in vitro diagnostics in general. She is always more than willing to visit you in Westminster.

British In Vitro Diagnostics Association · 1 Queen Anne’s Gate, London SW1H 9BT Tel: 020 7957 4633 · Fax: 020 7957 4644 · Email: [email protected] · Web: www.bivda.co.uk 10495 sip WHITSUN 2012 11/5/12 12:03 Page 3

A year or so ago many punters thought that “fracking” was a SCIENCE IN PARLIAMENT term not to be used before the 9.00pm watershed on television, or possibly articulated by Wayne Rooney after missing an opportunity to score away from home! No longer is that the case because attempting to increase the UK supplies of fossil fuels has led to a very small earthquake off Blackpool.

When one reflects that the Leaning Tower of Pisa attracts ten times more tourists than Blackpool’s tower, maybe it would be sip economically beneficial for a bigger quake to occur but that is most The Journal of the Parliamentary and Scientific unlikely and certainly won’t be caused by fracking. Andrew Miller MP Committee. Chairman, Parliamentary The Committee is an Associate Parliamentary Our discussion on 28th February on Ground Engineering looked and Scientific Group of members of both Houses of at such matters, as well as landslips, tunnels and embankments. An Committee Parliament and British members of the account will be found on pages 36 to 44. European Parliament, representatives of scientific and technical institutions, industrial Since that meeting both the coalition and opposition have organisations and universities. published important policy positions on the exploitation of shale gas. Tom Greatrex MP set out in simple terms a position that I think could be adopted across Parliament when he said, “….decisions in the UK should be taken on the basis of evidence, assessing the risks involved and on an informed basis.”

We are seeing the beginnings of a technology in the UK that could assist our very worrying energy shortfall and I hope political Science in Parliament has two main objectives: agreement can be reached on the way forward. 1. to inform the scientific and industrial communities of activities within Parliament Turning to another subject, I am increasingly concerned about of a scientific nature and of the progress of relevant legislation; the proposed changes to the rules on charitable giving. Having 2. to keep Members of Parliament abreast of encouraged hospitals, schools, universities and scientific research to scientific affairs. depend increasingly on benefactions from prosperous donors, the recent shift of the goal posts at short notice is likely to impact seriously on important areas of research.

I hope that the Government watch this matter with great care and have the courage to reverse the rules if my fears are correct.

CONTENTS THE IMPORTANCE OF EMBRACING A NEW ERA MATHEMATICS MATTERS 21 GROUND ENGINEERING – WHY IT MATTERS 36 FOR MANUFACTURING 2 National Science and Engineering Week Seminar Addresses to the P&SC by Professor Barry Clarke, Iain Gray Addresses to the P&SC by Professor Sir Adrian Smith, Rodney Chartres, Professor John Burland, INTERDEPENDENT AND INCREASINGLY Professor David Spiegelhalter, Malcolm MacCallum, Professor Richard Jardine and Keith Gabriel VULNERABLE 4 Dr Deirdre Hollingsworth and Professor Jared Tanner SCHMALLENBERG VIRUS – KILLER IN THE WOMB Professor Julia Slingo RECOGNISING THE ROLE OF TECHNICIANS 26 Professor S P Borriello and Professor Trevor Drew 45 SCI-TECH INNOVATION 6 Jon Poole EXAMINING THE STRATEGY FOR UK LIFE SCIENCES Professor Sa’ad Medhat A GLIMPSE OF THE FUTURE? 28 47 HOUSE OF COMMONS SELECT COMMITTEE ON HOW MEASUREMENT IS DEVELOPING THE UK’S Professor T P Young and Dr Jim Parle SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY 49 LOW CARBON ECONOMY 8 Jane Burston INSPIRING STUDENTS INTO STEM CAREERS 30 HOUSE OF LORDS SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY THE AGE OF DIAGNOSTICS 10 Dr Gordon Mizner SELECT COMMITTEE 51 Doris-Ann Williams MBE SET FOR BRITAIN 2012 32 PARLIAMENTARY OFFICE OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY 52 STRATEGICALLY IMPORTANT METALS 12 THE QUEEN ELIZABETH PRIZE FOR ENGINEERING Mark Tyrer and Alan Gibbon Anji Hunter 34 HOUSE OF COMMONS LIBRARY SCIENCE AND ENVIRONMENT SECTION 54 PEER REVIEW – IS IT WORKING? 14 SCIENCE IN THE CLASSROOM 35 Addresses to the P&SC by Sir Mark Walport, Dr Ellie Dommett SELECTED DEBATES 55 Tracey Brown and Dr Irene Hames SCIENCE DIRECTORY 56 SCIENCE DIARY 65

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THE IMPORTANCE OF EMBRACING A NEW ERA FOR MANUFACTURING

Manufacturing has certainly will place UK companies at the It is almost ironic that we found itself the subject of ever forefront of new markets. face a similar exciting and world increasing scrutiny and leading opportunity with the The Technology Strategy attention in recent months discovery of Graphene. This has Board helps companies seeking with a never ending stream of become one of the hottest to break down the barriers to suggestions as to the topics in the materials science innovation though a number of solutions for developing this arena since its discovery eight different support mechanisms. precious industry in the UK. years ago. I speak for the We sit at a unique pivot point Manufacturing remains one majority in the manufacturing between research, academia of the key sectors with the world when I urge us to do all and businesses and co-ordinate capacity to enable the UK to we can, not just to develop the Iain Gray great ideas. If the UK is to Chief Executive, achieve economic growth. science base, but also to create Technology Strategy Board realise its potential in high value Manufacturing still accounts for the right environment to manufacturing then continued 12 per cent of our economy – manufacture this material at Government support for R and and 75 per cent of all business scale, to ensure that it is cost D is vital. R and D in the UK is in the effective, commercially viable manufacturing sector. Working The role of the Technology and lives up to its potential. We with partners and businesses, Strategy Board is to create need Graphene to build on the since 2007 the Technology impact beyond the initial R and reputation that the UK has for a Strategy Board has invested D phase – it is about helping to diverse, well managed and more than £2.5bn in UK commercialise the technology innovative range of products innovation, including around that has the potential to deliver with international appeal. 200 collaborative R and D new products, processes and One of the keys to manufacturing projects involving services to UK industry that will manufacturing success in the UK almost 400 companies – 50 per ultimately be what defines our is that good ideas and initiatives cent of which are SMEs. It is true success. Manufacturing is a need to be effectively co- important to remember that the perfect example of how scale ordinated – cutting edge reason the manufacturing sector changes can take many years to university R and D facilities are needs to survive is not just be introduced and filter down only an advantage if they can because it is important in its through different sectors. In the attract commercial customers own right, but because it 1960s scientists and companies and engage with innovative supports many businesses and in the UK first realised the high businesses. Along with my services within its supply chains. potential of carbon fibres. It is fellow colleagues at the only recently that we have As the industry adapts to a Technology Strategy Board I changing landscape, where started to see their wider spend a lot of time emerging technologies will be application in commercial and ‘cheerleading’ the UK’s the drivers of success, our role, civilian aircraft, recreational, innovation capabilities. We have as an organisation seeking to industrial and transport markets. to be bold about correcting inspire the next generation of In 1969 there was a House negative perceptions that while innovation, is to consider the of Commons Select Committee the UK has moved away from most effective ways we can to enquiry into the ability of British labour intensive, mass deliver new technologies that industry to make the best of this production manufacturing, we scientific breakthrough. There have entered a bold and . . . Manufacturing still accounts for was concern that this invention sophisticated new era where we would be exploited more are producing hi-tech products 12 per cent of our economy . . . successfully overseas. Sadly, this at the point of use disrupting was ultimately the case. traditional supply chains.

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In a report by Price changing. Many refer to this as announced as a £200m HVM agenda forward. Waterhouse Coopers in 2008 the ‘knowledge economy’ but investment programme by the An example of this is that labels aside, for me this is the Government in October 2010, offering an outlook on how to through our High Value sense that services and and since then the Technology create a sustainable UK Manufacturing Catapult Centre manufacturing are truly starting Strategy Board has been co- manufacturing ‘championing there is an exciting opportunity to come together. The days ordinating the key stakeholders your industry’ was one of the to access strong synergy when a single company to deliver these strategically top five recommendations. ‘Talk benefits. We have already developed a new product or important platforms that will take up your achievements and identified three areas where the service and brought it to market innovation forward in the UK. make sure the widest possible greatest potential for this lies – in a reasonable time scale are audience knows what you have Catapult Centres provide a Applications of Plastic over. The UK’s new and done and what you can do...’ network to support business in Electronics; Simulation and emerging industries are built this might sound like a simple areas that will be economically Modelling and Advanced around interdependent services marketing philosophy but it is significant for the UK. They will Metrology – and already we and products, spanning many critical – and not just for create a critical mass for have a number of collaborative sectors, involving a range of skills business and research commercial reasons. The report Cross Centre Projects taking and large and small companies. innovation by focusing on a shape. As technology barriers highlighted that young people There is no simple or single specific technology and will be continue to break down and we will not train for a career in recipe for success so an integral part of the UK's develop even more sophis- engineering or manufacturing if collaboration takes on an innovation system, making a ticated and unconstrained they believe there is no future increasingly important focus. major long-term contribution to manufacturing processes this will for them – and retaining the This is where the UK can play to UK economic growth. Catapult inevitably bring designers closer best young minds in the UK will its strength by focusing on the Centres will allow businesses to to the point of use or be essential to attracting areas where it has the skills, access equipment and expertise consumption and so create a continued investment in UK technology capability and that would otherwise be out of greater understanding between companies. experience. Being a leading reach, as well as conducting these communities is critical. their own in-house R&D. They . . . UK plc must be known and respected will also help businesses access As economies in China, India new funding streams and point and Russia continue to attract as a brand that represents quality, them towards the potential of opportunities away from the UK, emerging technologies. timing has been of the essence innovation and dynamism. . . for us as an organisation and we Catapult sectors complement As an organisation we have player in all sectors is not have moved quickly to and link with other programmes learned not to underestimate realistic but being a leader in implement measures that build that the Technology Strategy the value of communicating and selected chosen areas of on the feeling that things may Board manages to promote networking. Being the UK’s main expertise is the way forward. be getting better at last. I collaboration between referred to manufacturing as innovation agency is an In a report we recently universities and business, and being one of the few sectors important role and our input will commissioned by the drive innovation and find with the capacity to drive have a positive impact on the Cambridge Institute for commercial opportunities for economic growth and we will companies we work with. Manufacturing to look at the new technology and ideas. continue to drive our efforts in future of high value UK plc must be known and One of our key aims is to this rebalancing of the economy manufacturing we sought to respected as a brand that shorten the journey between – where we can attract both pinpoint those areas where the represents quality, innovation concept and commercialisation. foreign and inward investment UK has the best chance of and dynamism. We lead where We believe that the targeted and export to the rest of the economic success including low others follow and identify the focus of Catapults in areas like world. As demand for carbon technologies, integrated new materials and processes of High Value Manufacturing will technological change and products and services and ICT. A the future. British manufacturing deliver tangible commercial innovation drives the future full copy of the report can be is starting to adapt to this new opportunities out of Britain's economy, we have a central role accessed at: http://www.innovate ‘niche’ genre – and is now world-class research base. We to play in the recovery of the UK uk.org/_assets/pdf/publications/ want the HVM catapult to play a as a new powerhouse of global being recognised for its TSB_IfM_HighValueManufacturing key role in moving the UK’s innovative manufacturing. specialists who have a track T12-009%20FINAL.PDF record of best practice in development and continuous This report has consolidated . . . we have a central role to play in improvement. our decision to open a Catapult Centre for high value the recovery of the UK as a new The way in which we use our manufacturing which has been powerhouse of global innovative intellectual and technological operational since last autumn. capability as a nation is also Catapult Centres were manufacturing.

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INTERDEPENDENT AND INCREASINGLY VULNERABLE – How the world is responding to environmental change Recent natural hazards around the world have raised awareness of society’s vulnerability to environmental change; challenged scientists’ understanding of the role of weather and climate in environmental change; and questioned society’s ability to predict and prepare for such events.

Four key influences combine from around the world; and The additional pressure of Professor Julia Slingo to increase society’s vulnerability depend on efficient transport climate change creates a unique Met Office Chief Scientist to environmental change: where systems and a constant supply set of circumstances. While the people live, how people live, of energy and water. The way sea surrounding the UK buffers what they use, and climate we live and the technology we us from some of the most change. It is a blend that exploit are exposing us to serious effects of global Professor Sir John Beddington, natural hazards that would have warming, we are not immune to Government Chief Scientific had very little impact in the past. the impacts of climate variability Adviser, has described as the This was brought home by the and change in other parts of the ‘perfect storm’. eruption of Eyjafjallajökull in world. Due to global Our planet’s population is Iceland in April 2010. While it interdependency, a changing increasing, causing our cities to wasn’t a major volcanic eruption, climate has genuine grow, often along coastlines. it was the first of any significance consequences for the UK Here, people are not only more since the growth in air travel economy and lifestyle. exposed to rises in sea-level and over the last 50 years. Coupled with unfriendly weather, its THE ROLE OF WEATHER storm surges, many cities are AND CLIMATE built in zones where tropical impact on UK air travel and cyclones regularly make landfall. therefore on our economy was The importance of the Pakistan has a rapidly growing profound. weather in our vulnerability to environmental change and population with millions of Due to population growth, forecasting what it may do next, people living along the Indus we are now drawing more and have long been understood. Last Valley. The floods that more resources from the natural year, the Met Office celebrated devastated the region in 2010 environment; particularly water 150 years since the first public were not unprecedented – there for domestic use and agriculture, weather forecast; and, over that was a similar level of flooding in and land for food production. In time, weather forecasting and its 1929 – but the impacts in 2010 the UK, for example, the were far more serious: nearly influence on the UK economy population of southern England and our daily life has become 1,800 people lost their lives has grown significantly in the last part of our culture. Often the while 2 million were displaced; 20–30 years while the use of weather can be the instigator of it destroyed 23% of the national water per capita has, for some a natural hazard but other parts crop and wiped $5 billion off time, been above the of the Earth’s geophysical expected growth. replenishment rate from rainfall. system come into play, so we Our world is much more As a result, we are now faced can no longer look at the interdependent than it was. We with drought which could have weather in isolation. For rely on global telecommuni- an impact on agricultural example, the 2007 floods in the cations systems; source food production and prices. UK were both meteorological

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and hydrological and cost the triggered a Cabinet Office through to the delivery of better science. Our partnership with country over £3 billion in Briefing Room meeting and services. academia complements the Met insured losses. emergency responders took the Office–NERC Joint Weather and An area of predictive necessary steps to protect life Climate Research Programme Having had an influence on capability to have emerged at and property. concerned with maintaining and nearly all of the natural hazards the Met Office over the last ten developing the UK’s national we’ve witnessed around the Society’s increasing years is seasonal forecasting. In capability in science, world recently, it is clear that the vulnerability to variations in parts of the developing world, observations and modelling. weather and climate are drivers weather and climate presents where our seasonal forecasts of environmental change. As the the Met Office with complex are increasingly accurate, they At an operational level, the climate changes the rate of scientific challenges in order to have a profound influence in Pitt Review of the summer 2007 change is likely to be greater provide reliable predictions on helping societies to better floods was the catalyst for a joint than at any other time in our regional and local scales, prepare for events such as Met Office–Environment Agency planet’s history. This will impose spanning timescales from hours prolonged drought or food Flood Forecasting Centre that huge stresses on the to decades ahead. We are in a shortages. brings together meteorologists environment; and highlights the unique position to succeed in and hydrologists from each We are also getting much importance of models that meeting them, with weather organisation to deliver critical more skilful and confident in represent the way the forecasting and climate joined-up advice and flood making longer range predictions environment will change in all its prediction under the same roof, warnings to the civil contingency out to several decades, which is aspects for telling us about the using the same science and community. often the timescale for future, because these will be modelling systems. Having built investment in major absolutely critical in decision- up several decades’ experience THE FUTURE FORECAST infrastructure. The Met Office making. in weather forecasting and has been doing detailed work We’ve since extended this communicating that intelligence way of working to consider other HOW SCIENCE CAN for decision-making, we are now on flood risk in the Thames HELP IMPROVE Estuary, for example, looking at natural hazards such as volcanic developing the same capability ash, space weather and health. RESILIENCE in climate prediction. whether the Thames Barrier will hold fast and continue to protect We initiated the development of The UK leads the world in TURNING SCIENCE INTO London and the estuary the Natural Hazard Partnership many areas of environmental SERVICES communities. (NHP) – a multi-agency science. Met Office science and programme that brings together forecasting is envied around the We have an understanding of WORKING IN government bodies, science world and there’s increasing our customers’ needs across the PARTNERSHIP institutes and research councils interest from other countries in public and private sectors and to provide an authoritative voice The challenges posed by using our modelling systems in around the world. We supply and a consistent message when environmental change involve a their own operations. Advances everything from underpinning natural hazards strike. The NHP greater breadth of science than in science have allowed us to science to sophisticated was recently asked to review the the Met Office can cover on its improve weather forecasting bespoke products and services. National Risk Register to make own. We recognise this and accuracy so that a five-day It is our job to look at the sure it took a consistent view of have started building forecast is as accurate as a one- impacts of environmental risks relating to the environment partnerships across day forecast was 40 years ago. change to enable others to – not just weather and climate. environmental science and with In terms of being better make informed decisions. those government departments Beyond this, we have prepared and more resilient, the A unique aspect of the Met for whom this information is established an Environmental impacts of this are huge; Office is the closeness of our critical to decision-making. Science to Service Partnership to particularly when estimating the weather and climate science to look at how we bring different lives saved and costs avoided by We are working with DfID on services, so the time between aspects of environmental knowing in advance that a major programme called the advances in science and the science into a broader range of hazardous weather is on the Climate Science Research help it offers is short. 80% of products, services and advice for way. our science has a direct and Partnership. This involves different customers. With the attributable benefit on our capacity building in different Take the Cockermouth floods experience and infrastructure operational performance – African countries to look at ways in November 2009. The Met needed to run a 24/7 unlike any other scientific of improving the accuracy and Office had just introduced a new operational service, the Met discipline. utility of climate predictions. high resolution 1.5 km model Office has a key role to play for the UK. This level of detail But as the latest Science and We’ve also initiated the Met here. We are very well placed to proved invaluable in allowing us Technology Select Committee Office Academic Partnership, be a conduit of science into to issue warnings 24 hours in reported in February 2012, there currently with three leading services to provide better advice advance of what would be is a lot more science “ready and universities – Leeds, Reading to the UK and the world. This is exceptional and unprecedented waiting” at the Met Office. At the and Exeter – to align our critical at a time when society’s levels of rainfall over the moment, we currently lack the research and extract maximum vulnerability to environmental Cumbrian Fells. A red alert supercomputing power to take it value from UK’s investment in change has never been greater.

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SCI-TECH INNOVATION – The key to addressing global challenges

That ‘innovation’ is a word neurship at the top of the processes to do things better and a concept being used Government’s agenda for and faster than their rivals in the increasingly in politics and the growth. Everyone wants to be West. For Britain to compete, media is to be welcomed. But, seen as innovative. As any new models for business, policy argues Professor Sa’ad Medhat, business leader will know, and education are needed to words need to be supported by changing focus mid-stream (or invigorate innovation within our actions to create an even diverting energies to society. They are needed to environment where innovation consider something new) is not inspire creativity and enable can solve our biggest challenges. an easy action to take. Many leaders and decision-makers to organisations don’t even know be visionaries, challenging the Many business and political where to start. status quo and seeking new Professor Sa’ad Medhat FIKE leaders would argue that for the CEO, New Engineering Foundation answers. and Institute of Innovation and UK to rebalance its economy, a THE NEED TO INNOVATE Knowledge Exchange move must be made away from There are many types of consumption, and imports Translating science and innovation relevant to an financed by borrowing, and a technology innovation into organisation’s growth; and in The NEF Institute of Innovation and Knowledge Transfer (IKE) focus made to increase exports socially responsible action some cases their ability to thrive. www.IKEInstitute.org, has been of manufactured goods and requires creative leadership and Changing the business model to established to develop a body of a shared commitment by both drive innovation brings much knowledge that enables services. Today’s challenges of members to evolve their thinking weak output growth, increased public and private sector higher risk due to the potential and practice, build new values unemployment and continued organisations. This is greatly for internal disturbance. through intelligent behaviours, inspire opportunities for public debt frequently claim the needed, for by 2050, nine However, for large organisations, economic growth, support news headlines. Other billion people will inhabit the recognising and managing this innovative leadership and world. Societies will be faced kind of transition can be critical improve social well-being. The symptomatic challenges such as Institute’s programmes help a declining and ageing working with unprecedented demands to long-term survival. For Kodak, organisations large and small population, coupled with the for energy, food, goods and it was not a lack of fresh ideas identify new market insights and create sustainable opportunities diminishing returns on services and housing against a that caused them to file for for growth. Guided by its investment in physical capital to back-drop of diminishing natural bankruptcy in January 2012, Innovation Council, IKE brings (indeed, they were among the together business and strengthen long-term growth, resources, a commitment to educational leaders, financiers, call for an alternative approach raise people from poverty and first to take out patents on digital entrepreneurs, inventors, to transform our economy and to protect the environment. A photography in the 1970s), it thinkers, researchers and policy makers to improve capability to society. Innovation is a key sustainable future will need to was a failure to manage these stimulate innovation, fostering a instrument to achieve such a balance economic stability and ideas into successful reality. spirit of openness to new ideas and promoting active horizon- transformation. Innovation growth. Finding solutions to The rise of ubiquitous scanning. generally, and science and overcome today’s problems broadband and the move to technology innovation (SciTech presents a challenge, but also an everything digital resulted in Innovation) particularly, opportunity, and one that will be many organisations having to enhances competitiveness, afforded through innovation. reposition rapidly and move helps to diversify the economy, The Emerging Markets in the away from trusted business and pushes countries towards East have become the world’s models. Innovation became the high value-added activities. innovation hotbed, producing clarion call and the only way to It is easy to speak about breakthroughs in all elements of maintain business. Organisations had to be ‘innovative by design’, innovation. President Obama modern business, from R&D and and the endgame had to be cited ‘innovation’ six times in his systems of production through radical transformation. State of the Union address; the to marketing, pricing and supply- UK Chancellor of the Exchequer chain management. They not For example, Lateral Group in his 2012 Budget Statement only significantly reduce cost; CEO Jason Cromack, FIKE, says: put innovation and entrepre- they redesign entire business “The increasing volume of data

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generated through multiple “Whilst widely used in innovative approaches to health Micro MNC type behaviour. channels, including social media prototyping, additive care and education or in Another new structure used and online trading, has manufacturing is transforming providing solutions to support to innovate is clustering, in itself transformed our business. In industries such as restorative sustainability. However, we need not new having been used by order to adapt to this changing dentistry, where it is replacing to create a better understanding universities and their research environment, Lateral have to manually intensive investment of the role of innovation, how to partners. The new aspect is the manage these data, by creating casting. Other possibilities are in apply it to our day-to-day lives approach used today, which strategic innovative solutions. the aerospace sector, where the and make it core to an brings together supply chains, This required big thinking, driven weight savings achieved in individual’s thinking processes customers, adjacent markets, by insight, using a combination optimising complex components through continued education. At researchers and even of the right technology and yield enormous fuel savings” the same time, exploitation of competitors to form clusters to expertise.” says Renishaw Director Marc innovation can only really be address specific issues facing Saunders, FIKE. MODELS OF achieved through the exchange their sector. New product INNOVATION Start-up businesses have an of knowledge at all levels, in development in SciTech advantage since they can iterate education, through industry and companies is not only driven by Most innovation undertaken and adapt their business model government. internal experiment and in organisations is incremental, rapidly to respond to changing Creating the environment for discovery; clusters that include involving ‘tweaks’ to an existing market dynamics and take innovation is essential. Giving supply partners and key feature of a product or process advantage of new technologies people freedom and the latitude customers have resulted in to make it better. It doesn’t or practices. This suggests why breakthroughs in new product involve ground breaking to think and explore is critical if many disruptive innovations innovations. An example is exploration. Product an organisation wants to come from start-up businesses. Aquamarine Power’s Oyster development is regarded as embrace an innovative culture. If For example, Celbius is a start- wave power technology. incremental innovation when an idea doesn’t work, ‘fail fast up company that combines two Aquamarine CEO, Martin technology enhancements are and move on’ behaviours specialised technologies: McAdam FIKE, says: “We have used to improve performance or should be encouraged. In the ultrasonication and biocatalysis. successfully raised over £70 reduce production cost. Strategic UK, unlike the US for example, Celbius Co-Founder, Dr Graham million to date towards the innovation is the form most ‘not succeeding first’ is akin to Ruecroft FIKE, says: “By bringing commercialisation of Oyster associated with research and ‘losing altogether’, but how many these two technologies together, technology capitalising, on the development (including new famous entrepreneurs have had chemicals can be made at lower multi-billion pound wave energy product development), and is to go through idea after idea cost. Any bioprocess is a market.” linked to long term business before they hit pay dirt? Driving potential candidate for planning and investment. This out old preconceptions requires improvement by this A PROFESSIONAL BODY form of innovation is tightly radical thinking and technology.” FOR INNOVATION controlled and often requires development of new structures IKE’s Chair, Dr Rosie Bryson, long development cycles. Given Often for innovation to that take advantage of the of BASF says: “Fresh thinking the need for return on happen, organisations need to interconnectedness of the world, and innovation is vital to investment, staff are under engage in ‘creative destruction’, a and build opportunity through business, education and policy. constant pressure to deliver on literal tearing down of what has knowledge exchange. A professional body which R & D targets. been and a building of NEW STRUCTURES something fresh and new. encourages the development of A much talked about form is People need to change mind-set Some organisational innovation and provides a voice disruptive innovation, which to those putting innovation at and ‘unlearn’ what has been structures defer more naturally creates a significant step change the heart of our economy is a done in the past to instil the towards innovation. For example, in market behaviour through the major step in the right direction”. ‘creative habit’. In SciTech the SME working in high-tech or introduction of a new science or Innovation, such sacking of past emerging-tech areas has technology. A familiar example is citadels of success is a natural immediate affinity with the Apple iPhone and associated Reference process to advance new innovation through necessity. 1 Transformation: Dig for Realism. ISRS mobile applications which have 1 scientific and technological Research has shown that a 2012. impacted hugely on professional breakthroughs. new type of organisational and personal communications. model is evolving which is CREATING THE Looking closer to home, known as the Micro-Multi ENVIRONMENT FOR additive manufacturing (3D National Company (Micro-MNC) INNOVATION printing) is another disruptive – an entity that is small, nimble, innovation. Renishaw PLC Innovation can be applied at highly connected and global in produces rapid, waste-free many levels and across a myriad its outlook. Market sectors such complex components that could of situations whether in the as biotech, financial services and never be made conventionally. creation of new products, gaming have seen a rise in

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HOW MEASUREMENT IS DEVELOPING THE UK’S LOW CARBON ECONOMY

Businesses need incentives research make a huge impact in to date enables us to say with a to reduce emissions and make areas such as security, degree of confidence that our low carbon investments. If heavy healthcare, defence and energy. climate is changing due to man- industry is to reduce emissions made emissions. What the data Recently launched at our through carbon capture and and climate models do not yet London headquarters, the storage, they need to be able to allow us to predict, with the Centre for Carbon Measurement prove the effectiveness and certainty we need, is the future will supply the necessary safety of the processes and impact of climate change and measurement infrastructure to technologies being used. The how quickly and where the support the UK’s transition to a government needs to have faith impacts will be felt. low carbon economy and that the resulting investments Jane Burston provide capabilities to test We need to improve the will deliver our carbon targets, instrumentation, develop low accuracy of climate change data and the public needs to know carbon technologies, and in order better to inform that low carbon products do provide confidence in data used government policy regarding what they say. Jane Burston, Head of the to model the potential impact of mitigation and adaptation Centre for Carbon Getting this right will help us climate change. programmes, and the areas in Measurement, explains why develop an environmental which our resources would have The Centre has consulted goods and services sector that the biggest impact. Should we the development of stakeholders from across can deliver nationally and be scaling up wind farms, measurement infrastructure is government, academia and internationally. It will allow the developing the Thames Barrier vital to advancing low carbon business to inform the focus of UK to lead the world as the or moving populations away technologies and informing our projects. These stakeholders, financial centre of the global from low-lying and coastal policy response to climate which include the National Grid, carbon market (projected to be areas? change. E.ON, the Department for over $1 trillion by 2020) and Energy and Climate Change and Improving the accuracy and In 2008 the UK became the will secure the UK’s position as the National Centre for Earth reliability of climate data through first country in the world to set a leader in growth and Observation, endorse the three data auditing and setting legally binding carbon targets in innovation as well as emission areas of our work: reporting and standards is a difficult task. We the Climate Change Act. The Act reduction. set goals for emission reductions reducing uncertainties in climate are making measurements of of 34 per cent by 2020 and 80 All of this requires the data used to monitor and small signals against a noisy per cent by 2050. Accurate development of a measurement model climate change; background using instruments infrastructure – not only in the supporting existing and measurement will play a critical across the globe, in a way that is UK but internationally. The emerging tax, trade and part in enabling the UK’s internationally consistent and National Physical Laboratory regulatory instruments for transition to a low carbon can be relied upon for decades. (NPL) has launched the Centre carbon pricing and reporting; economy and will benefit The Centre will develop for Carbon Measurement – a and accelerating the government, business and the standards and validate the world-first facility that will provide development of, and validating, wider society. sensors used in satellites so that just that. the performance of low carbon accurate, laboratory-quality Advancing carbon technologies. measurements of climate measurement practices will THE CENTRE FOR parameters can be made from reduce uncertainties in climate CARBON REPORTING AND space – essentially launching data and provide the confidence MEASUREMENT REDUCING UNCERTAINTIES IN National Measurement Institutes that is required to account for, NPL occupies a unique CLIMATE DATA into orbit. price and trade carbon position as the UK’s National emissions. It will also help Measurement Institute and sits One area where These data will allow accelerate the development and at the intersection between measurement is becoming modelling of climate change to adoption of low carbon scientific discovery and increasingly vital is predicting the understand its impact; enabling technologies. application. Our expertise and impact of climate change. Work international agreements and

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national policies for climate atmosphere and so reduce the change mitigation and number of allowances adaptation to be placed on a companies have to buy. . . . Pumping carbon dioxide firm footing. Demonstrating that the process underground would avoid emissions is effective and safe – and that SUPPORTING CARBON captured carbon dioxide is not entering the atmosphere. . . TRADING AND PRICING leaking back into the Our second focus is to atmosphere – will require support the infrastructure for reliable measurement. products and clean technologies, benefit and ensure the UK which will allow validation of continues to be a leader in the carbon trading, pricing and Carbon Capture and Storage their performance. effort to address climate change. reporting. (CCS) is likely to be in depleted Countries which have agreed oil and gas reservoirs, which are This will provide the Launched in March 2012, the to cap their carbon emissions often under the seabed. These confidence to secure investment first year of activity for the often purchase carbon credits to offshore sites could use acoustic to develop and commercialise Centre of Carbon Measurement help meet their allocated techniques to monitor and the product, ensure regulations will bring together existing quantity. These ‘offset’ credits measure potential leaks. Gas are met and reassure customers expertise and build new are produced by emission- bubbles created by carbon that the claims about the capabilities along with partners. reduction projects in developing dioxide scatter sound strongly product are valid. Such support We are looking for those with an countries such as avoided and may be detected using is key to the delivery of policies interest in this area – from deforestation. The validity of imaging or sonar techniques. such as the Green Deal, and to business, government and offset projects is reliant on Geo-acoustic sensors could be commercialising advances in academia – to work with us to accurate measurement to positioned on the sea-floor to areas such as building energy expand the capabilities of the validate the extent of carbon detect movement and provide efficiency, fuel cells, renewables Centre and to take advantage of dioxide mitigation and sustain a early warning of the changes in and smart devices. our expertise to advance their sea-bed composition. The own low carbon practices, viable carbon trading system. The measurement challenges Centre for Carbon Measurement technologies and research. NPL is a world leader in faced by developers and users has the relevant facilities for atmospheric measurements and, of low carbon technologies are Without a robust testing marine acoustics, with industry partners, has often best solved in real-world measurement infrastructure, it is allowing underwater acoustic developed a range of situations rather than in a lab difficult to know the scale of the measurements for CCS to be technologies that could be setting. Part of the Centre’s work climate problem or the developed. adapted to measure carbon will build on an existing NPL adequacy of the solutions – dioxide emissions. One of these As the international facility – the ‘hotbox’ – which whether those are policies, is NPL’s unique Differential community seeks to develop measures energy performance projects or technologies. NPL’s Absorption Lidar (DIAL) which more sophisticated and of large building sections and existing work has helped solve generates a 3D map of coordinated policies, it will materials such as solid wall some of the most pressing emissions and calculates the become increasingly important insulation to evaluate the issues. With the introduction of concentrations, providing rapid, that the underpinning thermal performance. We aim to the Centre for Carbon accurate measurements of measurement infrastructure develop this capability for use on Measurement at a world leading airborne emissions up to 3km keeps in step. The work of the full, occupied buildings in order centre of excellence in away. Centre for Carbon Measurement to determine how such products measurement science, NPL and will enable regulation, ensure fair perform in real-world settings. its partners will be able to make Heavy industries that emit and stable carbon markets, a profound and global carbon dioxide have to purchase support businesses in reporting THE IMPACT ON THE UK difference. carbon credits to help mitigate and managing emissions, and SKILLS-BASE AND THE their effect on climate change. http://www.npl.co.uk/carbon- provide confidence to establish ECONOMY Under the existing EU Emission measurement/ and meet international The development of a Trading Scheme (ETS), agreements. National Measurement ABOUT NPL organisations must purchase Infrastructure to meet these one ‘allowance’ for every tonne ACCELERATING The National Physical carbon challenges supports of carbon emitted. As well as DEVELOPMENT OF LOW Laboratory (NPL) is one of the many of the individual activities creating costly outgoings, the CARBON TECHNOLOGIES UK’s leading science facilities set out in the Department for supply of allowances is limited, and research centres. It is a Our final focus area is Energy and Climate Change’s incentivising organisations to world-leading centre of supporting the development of Carbon Plan. In addition, the reduce their carbon emissions. excellence in developing and low carbon technologies. The Centre will aim to support the applying the most accurate Pumping carbon dioxide Centre provides access to the up-skilling of the UK workforce standards, science and underground would avoid best measurement techniques for a low carbon future, provide technology available. emissions entering the for developers of low carbon significant direct economic

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THE AGE OF DIAGNOSTICS: The increasing role of in vitro diagnostics in modern healthcare

In vitro diagnostics (IVDs) are of hospital resources. We have diagnosis: saving both money an integral part of the now seen a shift in how and lives. investigative journey any clinician diagnostic tests are POC tests are not the only must embark upon for a patient. administered. By 1990 semi- way in which tests are creeping Blood, fluids or tissue are automated analysers appeared, out of the lab and closer to the examples of the human making tests simpler and faster. patient. While in acute care, samples required to perform Rapid manual tests (the most there are a number of routine such tests. They are the clues familiar example of this format tests which are performed in required to flesh out the clinical being the pregnancy test) or order to measure the patient’s picture of what is happening miniaturised instrumentation metabolic processes. Blood inside a patient’s body. Yet, allow tests to be performed to sodium and gas levels are Doris-Ann Williams MBE despite their name, IVDs are not Chief Executive, British In Vitro lab standards at the ‘point of routine but essential much in just used to diagnose. IVDs are Diagnostics Association (BIVDA) care’ (POC). This means a GP the same way as a GP taking used to test the safety of blood can rule out Chlamydia or HIV your blood pressure or supplies by determining the with a swab or drop of salvia, temperature. These can now be blood group, they are used to while the presence of drugs can performed on the ward or even screen for infectious agents and be detected in the emergency at the bedside. The value of rule out possible causes of room. Appropriate action can be bringing IVDs closer to the disease. The role of IVDs in decided upon in minutes. patient is in not having to wait monitoring conditions and for referrals, then for results to “...the upcoming treatment is increasingly Across London, a successful come back from labs. For many important. Tests can be utilised ‘direct access’ diagnostic scheme years may well be patients, the most value can be to catch changes in health for is in place. Mobile, fixed or found in minutes. Also, more known as the age patients managing long term community-based facilities intrusive tests can be avoided conditions – hypoglycaemia in enable GPs to make direct and money can be saved. of diagnostics” patients with diabetes, for referrals for tests without the Janet Woodcock MD Director of example – and they can also be need to visit a hospital specialist. The future, then, sees the Centre for Drug Research & used to determine whether a This reduces the need for diagnostics in the homes of Evaluation, US FDA treatment is working or failing. hospital outpatient appointments patients managing and self Whichever situation warrants and reduces time between the monitoring long term conditions their use, IVDs generate the presentation of symptoms and from the home — while using information required to decide on an appropriate course of action.

Previously, diagnostic testing always occurred in the hospital. A GP would refer a patient to a hospital specialist if they required a test. The specialists were effectively the gatekeepers

. . . The role of IVDs in monitoring conditions and treatment is increasingly important. . .

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technology to share data with clinicians. Patients with diabetes are already monitoring their blood glucose levels in order to adjust their diet and lifestyle accordingly, keeping them out of hospital. It will soon be a reality for HIV patients to monitor the effectiveness of their antiretroviral drugs from home, making sure that time consuming visits to clinics only occur when they are truly necessary. In a time when efficiency is so important for the NHS, keeping patients out of hospital beds as much as possible is incredibly important. IVDs look set to have a huge role in this essential paradigm shift in modern healthcare.

researching which groups of machines but blood gas patients will benefit from generic analysers. They are also at the drugs such as Metformin. heart of R&D, making sure that Metformin (for people with tumours are genetically diabetes) has a high success predictable and pharmaceuticals rate when prescribed to the specifically targeted. Bringing correct patient sub-population, diagnostics further forward in the but it produces severe side patient pathway saves precious effects for others. The vision for minutes and money. The sooner research such as that by TSB is a patient is diagnosed, the that one day, with a prick of the sooner clinicians can start to finger, doctors will know which think about what will make patients they can prescribe to. them better and if they can be The benefit for patients is kept out of hospital then the obvious and the cost savings to resources of our healthcare the NHS will be significant too. institutions can breathe a sigh of So in the age of diagnostics, relief. These are pressing issues IVDs are no longer behind the in a time when our population is scenes. They are the GP’s first ageing and efficiency savings port of call and part of the day- must be made. In the age of to-day routine in the home. The diagnostics it will be diagnostics Diagnostics also look set to If we look again into the white goods next to a hospital that help us to decide what will predict the likelihood of a future – perhaps to BIVDA’s patient’s bed are not washing make the difference. patient developing a disease. By 40th anniversary – we see identifying the biomarker diagnostics coupled with drugs. neutrophil gelatinase-associated Rather than merely making the lipocalin (NGAL), diagnostic tests initial diagnosis, which leads to can predict the likelihood of the the prescription of drugs, the . . . with a prick of the finger, doctors development of kidney disease diagnostics will be working out after cardiac surgery. Cancer has the best kinds of drugs for will know which patients they can been the main focus of this kind patient sub-populations. We call of research for quite some time, these ‘companion diagnostics’ prescribe to. . . with researchers working and they will eventually be used towards genetic cancer to predict the effectiveness of a predictions from small tissue specific drug. The Technology samples. Strategy Board (TSB) is currently

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STRATEGICALLY IMPORTANT METALS Mark Tyrer and Alan Gibbon present their views a year after the Science and Technology Committee report

In May 2011, the electronics (hard disk drives, on- platinum group metals and gold, Parliamentary and Scientific chip resistors) and in display in the UK. Through support from Committee discussed technology. In recent years, the the Natural Environment strategically important metals. At supply of many strategic metals Research Council (NERC) BGS that time, the findings of Science has been controlled by China, compile and publish 'World and Technology Committee had whose reserve of rare earths Mineral Production', as well as just been published (HC 726), eclipses the rest of the world. production and trade data for to which the formal government Understandably, it is of greater Europe. In addition, BGS publish response was issued in benefit to China to export value- the ‘Mineral Commodity Profiles' September (HC 1479). These added products rather than raw which include strategic metals materials and this is the such as REEs, tungsten and Mark Tyrer (Geochemist) and the many commissioned studies considering this topic, underlying driving force of the PGMs – a new one on Li will be Research Manager with MIRO. form a substantial body of work debate. published later this year. The Originally a geology and NERC Knowledge Exchange materials graduate, he further which describe our reliance on In looking for alternative studied radiochemistry and Grant is funding a new 'Critical certain elements, their supply sources of supply, world completed a PhD in cements Metals Handbook' from BGS chemistry. Previously, Mark has chains, applications and attention has focused on which is expected at the end of worked for the British Geological recovery. In the year which has Australia, South Africa and the Survey, WS Atkins and with passed, we consider some of the year. Written evidence from Imperial and University Colleges United States, all of which have the Geological Society discusses in London, where he maintains the recommendations of this capacity to expand their strong links. resource recovery from work and look at how they production, and are in the secondary mineral sources such might be implemented. process of doing so now the as burnt oil shale waste, fly ash global demand (and price) of The issue is that for many and metallurgical slags, which scarce materials has risen. The technologies, reliance on a has attracted considerable Mountain Pass mine in south limited number of chemical attention. Andrew Miller MP, east California is expected to elements is absolute, or almost Chaiman of the S&T Committee, regain its full production capacity so; in that no alternative said “There is significant later this year and other approaches have yet been potential for the UK to improve countries are responding to developed which would displace its efficiency of metal use, and growing demand, estimated at them. There are many we heard evidence of effective between 8 and 11% per examples, prominent amongst methods for materials recovery. which are the use of the rare annum. Alan Gibbon (Precious metals It is vital that the Government metallurgist) earth elements (REE, We might ask what resources explores these options without lanthanides) dysprosium, are available to us in the UK; do delay.” Development Director with terbium and especially we have reserves of REE and MIRO. Graduated from the As to what government University of Birmingham as a neodymium in modern ‘super’ other minerals which we might Mineral Processor but has spent actions are being undertaken as magnets and the use of exploit? The S&T report cites over 30 years in the platinum a result of the debate, DEFRA and precious metal refining lanthanum in battery technology. written evidence from the and BIS summarise new business. Prior to joining MIRO Beyond REE metals, many other Mineralogical Society and the in 1993, Alan worked for initiatives in their recent examples exist, such as Royal Society of Chemistry Johnson Matthey Plc and now ‘Resource Security Action Plan’ specialises in precious metal phosphorous and fluorine for which states that the UK mineral (March 2012) as follows: treatments, mineral wastes, the chemicals and allied reserves are incompletely pyrometallurgy, process modelling and environmental industries, indium in computer known, referring to the Mineral • Innovation Challenge: Defra issues. displays and the platinum group Reconnaissance Programme led will fund an Innovation MIRO – The Mineral Industry metals. For example, by the British Geological Survey Challenge Fund for local Research Organisation is a not applications for ruthenium have (BGS) which has identified economy closed-loop for profit limited company burgeoned in recent years, unexploited deposits of various projects under the co- owned by its members and based in the UK. owing to its incorporation in strategic metals, such as the ordination of the TSB. The

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idea is that local businesses mechanism to develop a draconian measure, but surely, and the technologies required will be helped to extract further links between some incentive is needed to for their location and efficient value from domestic and government, business and promote resource efficiency. recovery. commercial waste streams, other organisations to One of the difficulties of It is very encouraging to read through partnerships address resource dealing with the lanthanides is of the NERC companion between business, local opportunities and concerns, that they exhibit such similar programme “Resource recovery authorities and local to disseminate leadership chemistries. This makes their from waste (£6m, Contributes communities. thinking and best practice chemical separation notoriously to sustainable use of natural and to provide a forum for • The government (through difficult and expensive, which resources and environment, policy innovation. BIS) will investigate the has resulted in renewed interest pollution & human health feasibility of applying the Whilst each of these in separative technology such as themes)”. Recycling research principle of Individual initiatives is to be applauded, electro-winning of the metals impinges on the activities of Producer Responsibility there seems to much from molten salts. Fundamental both EPSRC and NERC and it is (IPR) more generally to the fundamental work still to be to this is our incomplete heartening to see this activity Waste Electrical and done. High on the list would be understanding of the chemical embraced directly. This Electronic Equipment to prepare for growth in strategic thermodynamics of these programme seeks ‘to lead the (WEEE). metals recycling. elements and their compounds, delivery of the strategic science without which, industrial needed to accomplish a • Similarly through BIS, the Although some of these optimisation of process paradigm shift in the recovery government will work to elements are not especially rare, chemistry becomes a rather of resources from waste, driven support UK businesses by rich ores of these elements are slow and vague process. The by environmental benefits extending data capture of very scarce and many National Physical Laboratory has integrated across air, soil and waste electrical and commercial deposits are in a recently launched a ‘Rare Earths water resources and for human electronic equipment being few, fairly remote locations. To Club’ as a way of drawing health, and not by economics. treated by waste compound this, relatively small together expertise in this field. Further, the programme will management companies quantities are in current use, of An ability to predict the forge new thinking that goes and other players outside which only a small fraction is in optimum conditions for metal “beyond carbon” to understand the current ‘WEEE system’. products close to the end of separation would put the UK at waste as a resource from the their service lives. Consequently, • The Environmental the forefront of REE recycling. perspective of ecological not Sustainability Knowledge recycling of these metals is in its carbon outcomes.’ Transfer Network (ES KTN) infancy. Compare this situation The Research Councils have Hear! Hear! So often we see together with the British with that of lithium, which a key role to play in developing technological developments Geological Survey and other although more abundant, is not this technology. The Engineering hampered by the economic partners including the yet recycled effectively. On a and Physical Sciences Research constraints of immediate Waste and Resources Action recent visit to the lithium Council (EPSRC) are building on financial return. The nation Programme (WRAP), BIS, operations of Umicore, in Olen, their recent projects on REE needs to invest in generating and Defra will develop and Belgium recently, our host asked recycling with a transatlantic call knowledge and understanding test a ‘critical resources a simple question – “What have for proposals with the (US) before planning commercial dashboard’. This will seek to you done with your old mobile National Science Foundation. developments. Our traditional provide companies with phone?” Without exception, the Specifically, one task seeks approach of good at ‘R’ but less better information to take visitors admitted that they were proposals in “New chemistry to so at ‘D’ need not persist. In the more informed decisions in a drawer with several others! recycle economically chemicals case of REE recycling, wealth on the resource risks to This is a key hurdle which we that cannot be replaced, such generation may reasonably their operations, and will be must overcome and the solution as phosphorus and the rare follow knowledge generation, if launched by the end of is not a simple one. There is a earth elements”. The Natural we manage our knowledge January 2013. considerable time lag between Environment Research Council resources with care. acquiring technology containing (NERC) has launched two • WRAP will develop a high scarce resources and our recent programmes: ‘Mineral This subject needs a level critical materials flow willingness to recycle them and resources: Science to sustain champion. The activities analysis in key WEEE the same is likely to be true of security of supply in a changing reported here are an excellent product categories (initially other rare metals. It seems likely environment’ (£7m, contributes start, but they need to be for WEE ‘hotspots’). that many expensive devices will to sustainable use of natural focused on the national need if • A new industry-led be stored at the end of their resources theme). This momentum is to be maintained. consortium, convened by lives – ‘just in case they are recognises the need for rapid Perhaps the S&T committee will the Green Alliance, will needed – before they enter the advances in science to revisit this subject in a couple of bring together interested recycling circuit. To impose a tax understand how strategic years time, to show the real businesses and business on new electronic devices to be minerals are mobilised and advances made from this strong groups to provide a refunded upon recycling seems concentrated in the earth’s crust start.

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PEER REVIEW – IS IT WORKING? Meeting of the Parliamentary and Scientific Committee on Tuesday 24th January PEER REVIEW: NO ALTERNATIVE TO EXPERT JUDGEMENT

Peer review is an integral part researchers with the brightest system. In particular, the quality of the scientific enterprise. ideas. We want to identify those of review will only ever be as Misconceptions around peer researchers who, based on their good as those who undertake it. review abound, and it is seen in track record and research vision, It depends crucially on their some quarters as an opaque have the potential to make real rigour, generosity, fairness, and slightly mysterious process. breakthroughs in advancing expertise and sound judgement. But the concept behind it is knowledge and its application to Several recent high-profile cases really very straightforward – improve health. We believe that have illustrated that when peer simply that of review by experts. it is practising scientists who are review is done badly, the best placed to make such Peer review is important consequences can be highly appraisals, based on their damaging and can erode public Sir Mark Walport because science involves many Director, The Wellcome Trust tough choices. Research funders experience and expert trust in science. All of us in the need to decide how to allocate judgement. scientific community have a key obligation to uphold the integrity limited public and charitable As such, peer review lies at of peer review, and to be open funds between the many the very heart of our decision and transparent in competing grant proposals they making processes. Grant communicating its importance receive. Scientific journals need applications are assessed by and its limitations to the wider to decide which research papers independent committees made public. are worthy of publication and up of leading scientists from which are not. And commercial around the world. Their THE COST OF PEER enterprises and investors need deliberations are informed by REVIEW to decide which scientific the comments of external Perhaps the most pressing innovations will have the referees who are experts in the challenge associated with peer greatest potential to reach subject areas covered by a review is the burden it places on application and generate returns. particular grant application. the academic research Peer review ensures that Careful selection of reviewers community. The Wellcome Trust these key decisions are is absolutely key to the success alone makes between 15,000 informed by the views of experts of peer review. At the Wellcome and 17,000 approaches to in their field, based on a robust Trust, we put considerable effort potential referees each year, and and independent appraisal of into ensuring that we get the on average around 45 per cent the underlying science. Whatever right mix of reviewers for a of these approaches will result the limitations and challenges of particular grant application. in a review being submitted. We peer review may be, the Because the field of possible consider this to be a good hit alternative – effectively, that reviewers in some areas is quite rate. However, with the such decisions do not involve small, we will often try to mounting volume of requests the input of genuine experts – is include some reviewers with a for reviews being generated by surely far worse. broader perspective in addition research funders and journals PEER REVIEW AT THE to those with specialist expertise and the pressures that exist on WELLCOME TRUST in the specific area covered by researchers’ time, there is a risk the application. We also have of increasing ‘review fatigue’. As a global research charity robust conflict of interest policies This will result in falling response dedicated to achieving to mitigate risks that reviewers rates and could ultimately extraordinary improvements in will be subject to undue compromise the quality of human and animal health, the influences in their appraisals. reviews. Wellcome Trust is committed to ensuring that we use the funds No one is under the illusion At present, peer review is a we have to support the very best that peer review is a perfect service that researchers usually

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provide on an unpaid basis, and ADDRESSING THE use. A popular myth persists that energy physics field, it would not which many conduct in their CHALLENGES open access equates to less be appropriate for the medical own time – fitting it around their rigorous peer review – but this is sciences – where the While the system is definitely research and teaching duties, simply not the case, proper peer publication of results ahead of not at the point of collapse, there often in the evenings or at review is as integral to open expert scrutiny can sometimes is a pressing need for both weekends. Most do not resent access publishing as it is to carry significant risks for public funders and publishers to explore the time they invest, and view traditional scientific publishing. health. actively innovative ways of their contribution as crucial to reducing the burden of review, Indeed, open access DEBUNKING THE MYTHS the successful operation of the whilst upholding its quality. publishers have been wider scientific enterprise of There are a number of myths responsible for some of the which they are part. In addition, As a funder we adopt a which have permeated the most exciting innovations in this peer review can provide genuine combination of different debate on peer review. These area. The model pioneered by approaches to peer review, merit challenge. First, there is a benefits for their professional PLOS One – where review which we endeavour to apply in widespread view that peer development and helps them to focuses solely on whether the a judicial manner at the review serves to promulgate keep abreast of advances at the findings are justified by the appropriate stages of the conservatism and inhibits ideas cutting-edge of their field. results and methodology application process. In particular, that challenge established Nonetheless, the current presented, rather than on the use of methods such as norms. While this may happen situation does raise important assessment of the relative triage can help to reduce the on occasion, it is our experience questions. At present, it is importance of the research – number of requests to external that the vast majority of has both reduced the burden on funders and publishers who reviewers, without compromising reviewers we work with reviewers and the time it takes benefit from the use of peer the rigour of the overall process. genuinely wish to embrace to get a paper published. Open review, but it is the researchers innovative, cutting-edge research An excellent example is our access publishers have also led themselves and their employing and to take risks where the Investigator Awards. These the way in the development of institutions who bear almost all underlying science is sound. of the cost. Ultimately this Awards provide outstanding more sophisticated metrics to It is also widely claimed that situation will probably have to early-career and established measure the impact of individual peer review disadvantages change. Peer review is a senior scientists with long-term research papers, taking us research that cuts across professional service, and it flexible funding to pursue their beyond the blunt tool that is the disciplinary boundaries. This seems appropriate to recognise research visions. Preliminary journal impact factor. applications for these awards are does not necessarily reflect our properly this activity as part of a Recognising the opportunities first triaged by subject-based experience in practice as a researcher’s role. At the for transformative change in this expert review groups, and only funder, which is that most Wellcome Trust, we are area, the Wellcome Trust has those that are successful are reviewers are very receptive and developing plans for a peer joined with the Howard Hughes sent to international referees for wish to enable such research. review college to cover our Medical Institute and the Max review. Candidates are then major funding programmes, Planck Society to establish eLife A FINAL WORD interviewed by an Interview which would reimburse referees – a new top tier, open access e- Committee, again consisting of It is our strong belief that for the reviews that they provide. journal. eLife will place scientists international external experts, peer review remains critical to at the heart of the publication The longer-term sustainability who make a final decision, the process of science. Whilst it process, ensuring rapid, of peer review will depend based on the outcome of the is by no means a perfect transparent and scientifically- critically on a continued pipeline interview and the comments of system, the decisions we make based editorial decisions. It will of quality reviewers. Developing the referees. in science have major the skills necessary to conduct adopt innovative approaches to implications and need to be reviews is a key part of a young INNOVATION IN accelerate peer review and to based on the judgement of scientist’s development, and is PUBLISHING maximise the potential of online experts. There is simply no technologies to enhance access already fostered through There is also considerable viable alternative. to scientific information. informal mechanisms in scope for innovation in the Should we actively embrace academic departments, such as publishing sector to address In pursuing such innovation to address the journal clubs. Nevertheless, some of the challenges opportunities, it will be challenges and burdens there is a strong case for associated with peer review. This important to recognise that associated with peer review? Of ensuring that formal training is has been enabled in part by the different scientific disciplines course we should. Is peer also available; this is something rapid growth of the open access have very different cultures and review broken? Emphatically not. that we would encourage publishing movement over the ways of working, and there will research institutions to develop last decade, which ensures that never be a one size fits all as part of their training and the published outputs of approach for peer review. For professional development research papers are freely example, whilst pre-publication activities. available to all at the point of review works well in the high-

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PEER REVIEW – IS IT WORKING? PEER REVIEW AND THE PUBLIC INTEREST

Peer review is not just the esoteric concern of scientific researchers. It is a system of independent scientific scrutiny that helps to safeguard the public interest in sound science, and as such we should pay it a lot of attention.

Sense About Science is a UK makers, advertisers and from the Heap FRS, concluded that it was based charity to help people rapidly multiplying public a process little understood by make sense of science and relations activities of institutions. many who interacted with the evidence. We work with over At the same time, the Internet findings of research. For them, 5000 scientists and hundreds of had given new life to single and the public at large, insights Tracey Brown organisations from science and issue campaigners, product into how research had been Sense about Science civil society to respond to promotion and self-styled gurus evaluated were valuable. The questions about scientific issues offering theories about the Working Group resolved that and to chase up misleading causes and cures for disease, greater effort was needed by claims. many of which were purporting research institutions, journals, to be based on cutting edge Our trust was born in 2002, publishers and others to share scientific research and one of many responses to the the workings of these processes. techniques, such as stem cell troubled relationships between However, many in the implantation. science and society, troubles scientific community were which had been elaborated in This was the landscape in sceptical about the public’s the House of Lords Science and which we had to intervene to interest in peer review. This Technology Committee’s report encourage people – policy might in part have been the of 2000. makers, media, organisations result of defensiveness about and the public at large – to It was a baptism of fire. The those times when the system consider scientific evidence. One newspaper front pages raged broke down – incidents which of the first things that stood out with headlines and horror stories accounted for what little publicity was how little attention was about cloning, stem cell there was about the peer review being paid to the quality or research, genetic modification, process at that time. Concerns status of research findings, and mobile phone radiation, the about bias, frustrating in particular to whether they had Measles Mumps and Rubella experiences, bad behaviour by been subjected to any kind of vaccine and nuclear waste reviewers or authors, eclipsed peer review. disposal. Many stories were consideration of a system that being generated by claims, often Peer review seemed to be a delivered 1.3 million papers a apparently conflicting, about well kept secret of the research year and that was used to select what was shown by scientific community. In no other area of research for funding and to research. Contradictory accounts life do people systematically develop critical evaluation post- of evidence were not just the volunteer their life’s work to be publication. There were also product of the news media. critically evaluated by others in reservations about putting They often arose in statements their field. Can you imagine a information about the system from advocacy groups, policy Government Minister’s press into the hands of the public, for releases being submitted for fear that it would be misunder- . . . Peer review seemed to be approval to MPs before stood. For example, ‘it’s peer publication? reviewed’ might be taken to a well kept secret of the research mean ‘it’s true’. Our Working Group on Peer community. . . Review, established in 2004 and When we published the chaired by Professor Sir Brian resulting public guide to peer

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review, I Don’t Know What to in news reports, though it has to Believe, I am afraid that we took be said, not yet regularly . . . Peer review is more than just these comments rather too enough. having to settle for ‘the best we’ve much on board. The guide In policy too the picture is explains how research findings better. Back in the early 2000s, got’. It is the best. . . are reviewed for validity, there had been a rapid growth significance and originality. It also in Government’s use of microwave it has a kitemark. We In 2009 we conducted a gives a brief summary of how consultations, especially on know this means that it has survey of authors and reviewers editors select reviewers and contentious policy issues. This passed some safety and about these issues, using the discusses the importance of appeared to have been operating standards. We also template of a Publishing ensuring that papers refer to accompanied by a rather literal know that the microwave won’t Research Consortium survey previous work and provide weighing of research claims in work forever and, in fact, that 2007, and adding questions information so that others in the Whitehall. So we saw situations the kite mark doesn’t guarantee about the role of the peer field can see how the research where two consultation it won’t break down the day we review system and how well it was conducted. We printed just submissions giving opposite get it home. But we know that was understood. We asked 10,000 copies. views about research were the kitemark is important all the about the time spent reviewing It was to our surprise that the counted thus: one for, one same. papers and motivations for publication of the guide against. Never mind that one reviewing. The Peer Review The importance of the status immediately generated public might summarise and evaluate Survey 2009 turned out to be of findings shows up in the discussion, ranging from national the entire peer-reviewed, the largest ever global survey of kinds of questions that the radio and papers to the published body of research and authors and reviewers. The public ask us about research. specialist publications serving the other be based on the press preliminary findings were When we analysed our call logs, voluntary bodies and public release of an unpublished published in the journal Serials; we found that many enquiries information services. Peer review survey by a campaign group. the full data are online at our were very similar: should we seemed to be newsworthy. The website and the final paper on Now there is a greater worry about these findings? Is it guide began flying out of the these will be published this awareness of the need to ask a scare story or real science? door and the electronic link to it spring. questions about the status of What do scientists actually appeared across the Web. research being fed into policy know? Is it a proper study? How The biggest surprise was that Here we are today, some making. Information about peer can I tell? What do other overall satisfaction with peer 500,000 copies and 10 reprints review is included in training for scientists say about it? review was very high. Only 9% later, looking at a much senior civil servants. Revised of authors and reviewers said Having helped to promote a improved situation. The guide is guidelines about the that they were dissatisfied with focus on questions about the the system. There was some ways that research is scrutinised, confusion among respondents . . . Something must select what at Sense About Science we about the purpose of the became concerned a few years system. While, as expected, we pay attention to from the sea ago about growing talk of ‘a “improves the quality of the crisis in peer review’. This crisis of research out there. . . paper” ranked high in both what talk seemed to refer variously to the system does and what it the global expansion of scholarly should do, a surprising number research, to particular incidents used by many people and Government’s use of scientific thought that peer review does of flawed papers making it into organisations who respond to advice include more explicit and should be able to detect print (the Wakefield paper on the public’s questions about reference to the extent to which plagiarism and fraud. This might MMR and autism in the Lancet research claims, such as patient results have been reviewed and, tell us that the peer review for example), to reaction to the where appropriate, repeated. system is seen by researchers as helpline operators who handle UEA email exchange about Our campaigning mantra has bound up with other things that calls about the validity of stories trying to stop publication of been, and continues to be, that journals do, such as running in the news about the causes of some climate research, and to the status of findings is as software to help pick up Alzheimer’s disease, for the mounting pressures on important as the findings plagiarism. While improvements example. Our peer review work researchers to get grants and themselves. to peer review were strongly is now backed by library publish papers, leaving little time supported, talk of crisis was services, publishers and editors. Contrary to the fears of some to review papers. Was the global clearly much exaggerated. Information about whether researchers, the public seem peer review system about to findings have been peer quite able to understand that collapse under this weight? Did Motivations to review were reviewed is sought by journalists, peer review is an indicator of the relatively small number of altruistic. Reasons such as and details of the scientific scrutiny rather than the final problems in how papers were “playing my part as a member publication are regularly included word. Perhaps that should not handled threaten to become a of the academic community” in institutions’ press releases and be surprising. When we buy a much bigger number? and being able to improve a

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paper ranked much higher system to dismiss the bigger be researchers with the movement within a field in a (90% and 85%) than gaining principles at stake? We don’t do clubbiest contacts and way that no tick-box approval personal recognition or that in other systems which fall institutions with well-funded system can. It has the ability to enhancing one’s career (34% short of their principles. Lawyers public relations. You can dress spot something good and bring and 46%). Sir Mark Walport has will regale you about court this up in talk of online it to the attention of researchers discussed the question of paying delays and inadmissible technologies and social media and research users more quickly. reviewers. We should tread very evidence. But we don’t say we networks, but it remains what it If it falls short, it is because our carefully here, where there is a need an alternative to justice. was in the time of the Medicis – aspirations to objectivity are risk of undermining these values We ask how the system can patronage. high. For the public and for the by putting a price on them. deliver it better. research community, we should Peer review is more than just keep them that way and I want to tackle a few things Let’s be clear too about the having to settle for ‘the best improve the system. that people often conclude ‘alternatives’. There is just one. we’ve got’. It is the best. It might when we discuss the challenges Something must select what we struggle with the weaknesses of of peer review. Some argue that pay attention to from the sea of human judgement, but that is we need alternatives to peer research out there. If it is not a because it has all the strengths review. But why should we leap system that aims for indepen- of human judgement. It’s a from individual failures in the dence and objectivity, then it will flexible system, which can reflect

PEER REVIEW – IS IT WORKING? PEER REVIEW IN A CHANGING AND DISRUPTED PUBLISHING LANDSCAPE

Peer review is often the takes place before publication, ie quality of peer review is subject of intense debate, and a ‘filter, then publish’ approach, independent of journal business never more so than now when but there have been suggestions model. It does not matter we are at a critical juncture in that everything should be whether it is subscription based, scholarly publishing. A number published and only then open access with author-side of interlinked areas, including evaluated, ie ‘publish, then filter’. payment, or has a hybrid peer review, are impacting one Many, however, are concerned arrangement with elements of another and will affect how that this approach would not both. Sweeping statements research output is going to be only release incorrect material, shouldn’t be made by any group communicated, accessed and which in some disciplines could to denigrate another (as has evaluated in the future. The time be harmful or misleading, but sometimes happened against Dr Irene Hames is ripe for innovation and it is readers, particularly non- Editorial Advisor and Consultant open-access journals); there are likely that new models and new specialists, would find it difficult good and bad examples of peer players will enter the arena. to know what to trust. Indeed, review in all the models. one of the conclusions of the Peer review in journal Criticisms of peer review itself 2011 House of Commons scholarly publishing (known as have, however, been around for Science and Technology ‘editorial’ peer review, to a very long time – that it is slow, Committee inquiry into peer distinguish it from funding expensive, unreliable, review was that “Peer review in review) is, quite simply, “the idiosyncratic, conservative, and scholarly publishing, in one form process by which research open to abuse and bias. These or another, is crucial to the output is subjected to scrutiny are certainly potential problem reputation and reliability of and critical assessment by areas, ones that most scientific research” 2. individuals who are experts in researchers have experienced in those areas”1. It traditionally It is important to stress that their careers. Peer review isn’t

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infallible. It can and does go primary role of communicating . . . about 1.5 million articles are wrong, just as any other human scientific discovery to one of activity. The peer-review process demonstrating academic published globally in around 26,000 looks deceptively simple, for activity.” 3 example when described in a peer-reviewed journals each year. . . This is even more applicable flow chart. In reality it’s complex today, with greatly increased and sophisticated, and at its best submissions to journals making articles that are rejected from functions of peer review – and in the right hands a publication highly competitive. one journal go on in most cases assessment of rigour and powerful tool. The role of the Competition is also becoming to be submitted to other selection for interest and novelty Editor is absolutely critical. A keener because of the journals in turn until accepted – were for the first time common misconception is that increasing numbers (and somewhere. This ‘wastage’ of separated. The journal’s review it is reviewers who ‘accept’ or quality) of submissions from reviews is of concern to many, process would concentrate only ‘reject’ manuscripts. They don’t. newly emerging scientific and has led to various on assessment of scientific and They assess, advise and make nations such as China and India. ‘cascading’ initiatives – both ethical soundness and not make recommendations, and it is Editorial and reviewing loads are within publishers (eg Nature any judgement on novelty, Editors who makes the decision becoming heavier, and this has Publishing Group, BioMed interest or potential impact. That whether or not to publish. Good led to speculation that “the peer Central, Institute of Physics would be left for the post- and skilful Editors are ones who review system is breaking down Publishing, Royal Society of publication phase. PLoS ONE exercise sound and fair critical 4 and will soon be in crisis” . Chemistry) and between them has grown extremely rapidly and judgement, acting as more than There is currently some (eg Neuroscience Peer Review is now often referred to as the just vote counters, deciding geographical imbalance in Consortium) – where rejected largest journal in the world. In whether reviewers’ criticisms submission and reviewing manuscripts and their reviews terms of annual output it is: in and requests are justified, activity which may be partly can, if authors choose, be 2011 it published around whether additional work is or is responsible for this, with passed on to other journals for 14,000 articles, representing not needed. They help create researchers in the USA, for consideration. Reviewing is a about 1.5% of the total world and maintain a sound scholarly example, carrying a higher reciprocal ‘give and take’ activity, scientific output. The journal is a as authors and reviewers are true ‘game changer’, partly . . . A common misconception is that mostly the same community. So because it has proved itself to reviewers get valuable feedback have a sustainable business it is reviewers who ‘accept’ or ‘reject’ on their manuscripts when they model. Indeed, many publishers manuscripts. They don’t. . . are authors. Increasingly it is felt have rushed to launch similar that there should also be more repository-type or ‘mega’ formalised recognition of journals. With this model, record. Bad and inept Editors reviewing burden, producing reviewing, and training available researchers no longer have to bring the system into disrepute. about 20% of papers globally for early-career researchers. go from journal to journal to get but conducting about 32% of Good peer review helps Two events – one a few research published, thus the reviews, and those in China improve not only manuscripts, years ago, one just a few avoiding delays in getting sound producing 12-15% of the but often the science behind months ago – have resulted in work out and available to others papers but doing only 4-5% of them. seismic shifts in the scholarly to use and build on and the reviews 5. The situation is publishing landscape, and the allowing them to concentrate on Researchers are being put likely to become better balanced traditional publishing industry their research rather than under increasing pressure to as researchers from the now faces the threat of chasing publication. Many, publish in high Impact Factor emerging nations become more disruption. These shifts have, understandably, like this, and journals. Despite the criticisms established, gain international however, also brought PLoS ONE’s respectable Impact levelled at the use of journal reputations, and name- opportunities to move forward Factor (4.411) has led to a Impact Factor as a proxy disambiguation schemes with the scientific research steep rise in submissions. measure of research and currently being developed make community and provide new researcher quality, it still plays an it easier to identify people The second seismic event value-added services. important role in the careers correctly. began on 16 December 2011. and funding prospects of In December 2006, a new On that day, the Research Works The scale of the total researchers. Over 20 years ago, open-access journal, PLoS ONE, Act (RWA) bill (HR 3699) was reviewing effort needed is Stephen Lock, BMJ Editor 1975- was launched in which the two introduced into the US House of enormous – about 1.5 million 1991, voiced the concern: articles are published globally in “… And underlying these around 26,000 peer-reviewed . . . The blogosphere and Twitterverse worries was yet another: that journals each year. This equates are becoming increasingly important. . . scientific articles have been to at least 3 million reviews, hijacked away from their probably many more, because

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Representatives. The RWA medicine and social sciences) evaluation, sorting and analysis central position, publishers will would, if passed, effectively and at the beginning of March of all the work being published. need both to convince reverse the NIH (National has nearly 8000 signatures. The blogosphere and researchers of the value they Institutes of Health) Public Template letters for review Twitterverse are becoming bring and to innovate in ways Access Policy of 2008, which refusal are circulating on the increasingly important in this that will help them be more requires NIH-funded researchers internet, along with negative, respect, especially as adoption productive, providing the tools to deposit all final peer-reviewed sometimes vicious, comments of social tools by researchers they need to do this. Research manuscripts resulting from that about publishers. A major grows, allowing scientific funder-publisher partnerships funding in PubMed Central problem seems to be a lack of interaction outside of journal will also be critical, and (NIH’s National Library of understanding and engagement articles. They also provide the publishers need to be prepared Medicine free archive of by the two sides. Publishers means to alert communities for funders to require the work biomedical and life sciences cannot afford to ignore what is rapidly about problems with they fund to be publicly journal literature) and to be being said. All partners in the published work, for example as available. Publishers have to ask publicly accessible no later than funding and communication of happened with a paper themselves the brutal questions: 12 months after publication. It science need to get together to published in the journal Science Can researchers survive without 6 would also prohibit any further find ways to move forward for in December 2010 . When publishers? Can publishers open-access mandates for the benefit of science. On 27 researchers reported that they’d survive without researchers? federally funded research. February, the controversial RWA found a bacterium that could Support of the bill by the was very suddenly abandoned. grow on arsenic and incorporate References Association of American The unrest in the research arsenate in place of phosphate 1 Hames I (2012) Peer review in a Publishers (although a number community, however, continues. into its DNA, experts in the field rapidly evolving publishing landscape, started to post criticisms of the of member publishers Peer review doesn’t stop at Chapter 2, Academic and Professional methodology and interpretation dissociated themselves from publication. Many feel that this is Publishing, Eds R Campbell, E Pentz online within a day or two. The and I Borthwick, Chandos Publishing (in this) and the actions of certain actually when real peer review story came to be known by its production) publishers acted as a trigger, starts, as researchers begin to Twitter hashtag, #arseniclife 7. 2 UK House of Commons Science and releasing latent unrest amongst scrutinise, repeat and build on Technology Committee (2011) Peer the academic community. An The online community knew published work and the self- review in scientific publications. Eighth about the problems with the acrimonious battle has since correcting nature of science Report of Session 2010-12, HC 856, paper straight after publication, broken out and is being played starts. Post-publication review The Stationery Office Limited, London. readers of the journal article http://www.publications.parliament.uk/p out in the blogosphere. There and evaluation can take a wouldn’t have known about a/cm201012/cmselect/cmsctech/856/ has been a ‘call to arms’, which number of forms and the 856.pdf (Para 277) them until a number of is having a direct effect on peer internet and technological commentaries on the article 3 Lock S (1985) A Difficult Balance. review – researchers are being advances have brought appeared 6 months after its Editorial peer review in medicine, asked to refuse to review, increasing opportunities for Introduction to third impression 1991, publication. submit and carry out editorial experimentation and innovation. BMJ London, p.xi. duties for certain commercial There are a number of So, is peer review working? 4 Fox J and Petchey O L ( 2010) publishers as a protest against challenges, including how to get Yes, but it’s facing many Pubcreds: Fixing the Peer Review support of the RWA and other people to participate (the level challenges. As the publishing Process by “Privatizing” the Reviewer Commons. Bulletin of the Ecological measures to restrict free of engagement is in many cases landscape evolves, so will the Society of America 91,325–333. exchange of information, the very low), how to aggregate diversity of peer-review models. 5 Elsevier (2011) Evidence given by prices of journal subscriptions, opinions, evaluations, blog posts It’s possible that new Mayur Amin to the UK House of the level of some publisher and other contributions in a organisations will be set up to Commons Science and Technology profits, and reluctance to move meaningful way, and knowing offer peer-review services. A Committee Inquiry into Peer Review, 11 to open access as the basis of who to trust. A number of recent example is Peerage of May 2001. Transcript of oral evidence, HC 856, Q127. research publishing. For projects are already under way, Science (http://www.peerageof http://www.publications. example, The Cost of Knowledge but there is again plenty of science.org/), a Finnish parliament.uk/pa/cm201012/cmselect/ web site http://thecostof space for innovators to create company founded, owned and cmsctech/856/856.pdf knowledge.com/was started at new services. With the governed by scientists. There is 6 Wolfe-Simon F, Blum J S, Kulp T R, et the end of January (originally for increasing number of journals the potential for considerable al. (2011) A bacterium that can grow mathematicians, but it now adopting the PLoS ONE model, disruption in the scholarly by using arsenic instead of phosphorus. Science 332, 1163-66. encompasses various sciences, there is a real need for publishing sector. To maintain a 7 Zimmer C (2011) The discovery of arsenic-based Twitter. How #arseniclife changed science. Slate, May 27, 2011. . . . Can researchers survive without publishers? http://www.slate.com/id/2295724/ Can publishers survive without researchers? . . .

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MATHEMATICS MATTERS – A CRUCIAL CONTRIBUTION TO THE COUNTRY’S ECONOMY National Science and Engineering Week Seminar on Thursday 15th March THE MATHEMATICAL SCIENCES LANDSCAPE IN THE UK

As a mathematician in There are other reasons to But the same figures are both Government, I want to use my be cheerful. We have seen a ‘sweet and sour’, revealing as contribution to the P&SC steady rise in the take-up of they do in a context of Mathematics Matters seminar mathematics over the last 10 increasing international to highlight the Government’s years at A Level – linked to competition that China is coming commitment to the subject which has been a corresponding up fast. (which is inseparable from its growth in B plus grades. When I was doing my PhD in wider support for science and Entrants to final degrees show a statistics it was most unusual to research). I also wanted to fly similar trajectory. see a Chinese name on a the flag for UK mathematical Professor Sir Adrian Smith These figures evidence the research paper; now it is most excellence – at the same time Director General, Knowledge and unusual to see a statistics journal Innovation, Department of Business I sounded some warnings benefits of a sustained Innovation and Skills without Chinese names, about the challenge to Government commitment to sometimes in the majority. maintain this in the context of the subject but they also reflect international developments another fact, borne out by the Yes, we can compete but I and competition. other speakers at this event and also believe that International co- my own experience in teaching operation is one way of The evidence is there that the subject for thirty years: in responding to competition, Government as a whole gets the forming partnerships with a importance of mathematics and the fields of mathematics and global talent pool. It is science: look at the Spending science… Britain Has Talent. happening already: 46% of UK Review settlement and Note our national research papers in 2010 had an successive announcements of standing. With 3.9% of World international co-author; higher further capital funding since Researchers and 3.0% of World than any other G8 or BRIC (Budgets, Autumn Statements Gross Expenditure on R&D country except France. Papers etc). Neither is moral support for (GERD) the UK delivers 6.4% with an international co-author the growth of the subject of articles. These articles have achieve twice as many citations lacking. In a recent speech at a 9.4% of article usage, gain as those produced within a British Academy conference on 10.9% of citations and comprise single institution, showing that quantitative skills David Willetts 14.0% of the top 1% highly- collaboration drives up both stressed not only the increasing cited articles. In terms quality and impact. importance of statistical literacy international citation of UK for those studying non-STEM Mathematics is vital to the articles on mathematics we vie disciplines but also the value of formation and operation of with the US as a world leader mathematics to every one of us policy across Government, from and consistently surpass the in our daily lives. health and education to defence lands of Descartes and Gauss. and national security. While the climate of increasing competition . . . Mathematics is vital to the formation and operation of and tight public funding means we must prioritise within our policy across Government, from health and education to research portfolio, the defence and national security. . . importance of mathematics is assured.

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MATHEMATICS MATTERS ASSESSING AND COMMUNICATING RISKS AND UNCERTAINTY

even if this number were true – flooding and so on. The National about its forecasts, with its ‘Fan which can be disputed – what Risk Register produced by the Charts’ expressing what might would this mean for life-long Cabinet Office has become be expected “If economic meat-eaters? Would it mean a increasingly sophisticated and circumstances identical to 13% shorter life? now publicly communicates the today’s were to prevail on 100 assessed numerical chances occasions …Consequently, GDP To check this we need to (except for security events) of growth is expected to lie consult the life-tables produced various extreme scenarios over somewhere within the entire fan by the Government Actuary and the next 5 years, such as severe on 90 out of 100 occasions.” A apply the 13% extra risk for space weather and Icelandic central prediction line is each year of eating meat. This volcanic eruptions. Professor David Spiegelhalter uses the mathematical statistical deliberately not given for a week Winton Professor of the Public Making such assessments is after the initial release of the Understanding of Risk, University of technique of ‘survival analysis’, Cambridge and reveals that a 40 year-old tricky, and the NERC is now fans, much to the annoyance of man who eats a quarter- funding the PURE initiative that the press, who are prevented pounder burger for his working brings together mathematicians, from declaring a single lunch each day can expect, on statisticians and environmental ‘prediction’ for growth and average, to live to 79, while his scientists to develop risk models inflation. for natural hazards as well as mate who avoids the burger can All science is hedged with appropriate means to expect to live to 80. uncertainty, and when difficult communicate the results. One policy decisions have to be Put this way, the lost year attractive metaphor for made it is a tricky balance to be associated with the burger- communication involves the idea both upfront about uncertainty stuffing does not sound too bad of “possible futures”, which can and retain trust. Nevertheless, if, in the classic words of be based on Monte Carlo when the Commons Science Kingsley Amis, self-denial means methods in which large numbers and Technology Select an extra year in a nursing home of possible future ‘worlds’ are Committee examined Scientific Every day we get exposed in Weston-super-Mare. But we simulated under slightly different Advice and Evidence in with messages about risk – the can reframe the message in a conditions, and the proportion in Emergencies, David Willetts – media love a good scare story. more alarming way: over a which a particular extreme event Minister for Universities and At our website lifetime habit, each daily portion happens reflects the chances of Science – said that understandinguncertainty.org we of red meat is associated with the event occurring. These “Communicating the intrinsic try to take apart some of these about 30 minutes off your life techniques started in the US uncertainties in scientific advice stories using maths. For expectancy – more than the hydrogen bomb project, and the is something that we probably example, a few weeks ago a time it takes to eat it – and UK is now world-leading in need to do better”. study from Harvard on the around the same as 2 cigarettes theory, software and applications, dangers of eating red and or each day of being 5 Kg including the use of ‘ensembles’ Mathematical risk models are processed meat got a lot of overweight. This idea of for weather forecasting. a vital tool in this process, but attention, with the Daily Express accelerating your daily ageing Unfortunately there is still a the financial crisis has shown may be more persuasive to reporting that if we ate less reluctance to communicate that they should be change behaviours. meat “10% of all death could publicly the chances of different accompanied by a warning: weather patterns, although in the be avoided” – a truly Mathematical risk models are there are serious dangers if US ‘possible paths’ of hurricanes remarkable claim revealing they very widely used: in insurance fancy mathematical tools are are routinely shown on public had no idea what the study and pensions, finance and used by people who do not news broadcasts. actually said. This was that a economics, individualised risk understand their limitations. The daily portion of red meat was assessments for heart attacks, The Bank of England is an solution is both to invest in associated with an increase in health policy by NICE and for organisation that has fully mathematics, and to make full the annual risk of death by 13% epidemics, weather and climate embraced the open use of the great expertise we over the period of the study. But and associated hazards of communication of uncertainty have this in this country.

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MATHEMATICS MATTERS MATHEMATICS IN SECURITY AND INTELLIGENCE

I can only use historical This information was enough It is the experience of solving examples, but there are good to enable much codebreaking. mathematical research problems, modern parallels – indeed The mathematician Max being able to adapt that surprisingly many. Newman saw that mechanised experience to new questions, methods were needed to do and work in teams, which we Secure transmission of better. Tutte's second major need, and we exploit the variety financial information to websites invention was a statistical and geographic spread of UK (those starting with https://) method of finding Tunny wheel expertise. We therefore want to relies on 'public key settings directly from the coded ensure that the difficulties cryptography', first discovered at message, and Newman had highlighted in the article by GCHQ. Its conceptual framework Colossus built to do this: Professors Glendinning and was due to James Ellis and the Malcolm MacCallum Colossus was a special purpose Brown (Science in Parliament 68 Director, Heilbronn Institute for first implementation to Clifford cryptographic device, rather than (4), 30) are overcome. Mathematical Research, Bristol Cocks, a new recruit from a a general purpose computer. The GCHQ and HIMR each put postgraduate mathematics design, by Tommy Flowers of the resources into supporting the degree course, who invented the Post Office, incorporated several desired UK research culture. For key idea in about 30 minutes. novel features. This was possible because of his example, we part-sponsor As the successor to the Tunny decryption was very various undergraduate and good knowledge of relevant famous Bletchley Park, important, although it gave many postgraduate events; employ mathematics: the security Government Communications fewer messages than Enigma. It undergraduate and postgraduate depends on the quantifiable Headquarters’ (GCHQ) mission allowed us to forewarn the interns; fund targeted difficulty of factoring a product of relates to national security, the Russians of the German attack postgraduate studentships and two very large prime numbers. economic wellbeing of the UK around Kursk in July 1943, postdoctoral fellowships; and The transmission of your credit and support of the prevention decrypt messages direct from sponsor academic workshops card details to secure web sites or detection of serious crime, Hitler himself in 1944, know the and conferences. is made safe by mathematics as set out in the Intelligence German dispositions before D- (though this protection does not We want to enable talented Day, and assess the value of the Services Act 1994. UK students to progress into extend to other types of fraud). Italian campaign in tying down The Heilbronn Institute is a academia. Concerns include the German forces. The work of partnership between GCHQ and The second example comes impact of future funding Tutte and Flowers was arguably Bristol University. It continues from Bletchley. Colossus, the first structures, making UK computer, was built to decode an even greater achievement part of the Bletchley tradition – postgraduate training rigorous teleprinter messages between than that on Enigma. exploiting the skills of top-class enough to compete with the EU German Army HQs encrypted by UK academic mathematicians in Such work, then and now, and US, and ensuring sufficient Lorenz machines, codenamed GCHQ's service. depends on a vibrant research postdoctoral positions (which Tunny. Tunny added a “key” to culture in mathematics in UK provide the vital bridge between Part of GCHQ’s role is the unencoded input. From a universities. postgraduate study and an providing advice and assistance 'depth' (two messages with academic career). about cryptography and other related content and the same GCHQ applies the skills people bring: Turing, Newman, Ending by putting on my hat matters to protect UK key) Colonel John Tiltman Tutte, Flowers and Cocks provide as President of the International information and other material extracted 3976 characters of key. examples. Society on General Relativity and (ie communications and data) He gave it in autumn 1941 to Gravitation, I was recently from those who might wish to Bill Tutte to analyse. Tutte was a UK mathematics, especially fascinated to see, on a Kent eavesdrop, steal, corrupt or deny Cambridge postgraduate chemist pure mathematics, makes a cereal farm, expensive with an interest in mathematics major contribution to UK access to it. Such security has equipment whose accurate use and trained in cryptography. security and intelligence. become urgent with the 'cyber- depended on the corrections From the key, Tutte inferred the security' challenge, arising from My colleagues and I intend to from general relativity to the GPS structure of the Tunny machine, the global internet. The Foreign ensure this is considered in the (Satnav) system. Einstein in Secretary has spoken publicly although, unlike the famous forthcoming Research Excellence 1915 could not have foreseen about this, most recently at the Enigma, it had never been Framework. this impact of mathematical London conference on captured or seen. physics, another area with cyberspace last year. endangered funding, on farming.

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MATHEMATICS MATTERS COUNTING CASES: How does mathematics help us control infectious diseases?

mathematical methods and who are vaccinated, then on in 1975) is that the whole analyses. average the number of new population does not have to be infections which can be caused vaccinated to control an outbreak Mathematical models are a by a single infected individual is of an infectious disease – ie the way of rigorising our thoughts (1-p)R0. If the aim of the policy critical vaccination proportion is about infectious disease is to prevent an outbreak by not 100%. This is because those transmission, expressing the vaccinating the population then who are unvaccinated are transmission process in a formal the average new infections language. The development and protected by the vaccination needs to be less than one, (1- analysis of models is ideally an status of their contacts, which p)R0<1. We can rearrange this interaction between clinicians, prevent infections which would expression to get the critical Déirdre Hollingsworth biologists, policy makers, otherwise be amongst their Junior Research Fellow, MRC Centre vaccination proportion pc>1- statisticians and mathematicians. contacts (so called ‘herd for Outbreak Analysis and 1/R0. If the average number of Modelling, Department of Infectious We can inform these models immunity’). new infections in an Disease Epidemiology, Imperial with the available data, using College London unvaccinated population is large, Vaccination strategies are, of modern statistical methods, and then the critical vaccination course, based on a more extrapolate our insights to proportion is high (eg measles, nuanced understanding of designing ‘what-if’ scenarios for which has an R0>10 and so disease transmission and vaccine policy. Infectious disease more than 90% of the uptake than this scenario transmission is a dynamic Simple, yet powerful, insights population need to be suggests. For example, an process, resulting from a can emerge from these vaccinated to prevent important consideration for a sequence of chance events. mathematical constructs. For transmission), whereas the childhood vaccination Infectious people make contact example, many core results in critical fraction is smaller for a programme is the likely impact with people who are susceptible infectious disease epidemiology disease like smallpox with a on transmission between to the disease, whether through come from the concept of the R0~4, which facilitated the children and adults. More sharing a bus, making basic reproductive number (R0), eradication of smallpox by complex models, together with conversation or through more which is the mean number of vaccination. The most important high quality data, are used to intimate contacts, and new infections caused by a insight in this analysis (most inform the details of policy in transmission occurs with a single infected individual in a famously outlined by Karl Dietz particular diseases. certain probability. The outbreak wholly susceptible population grows as more people become (see figure). If individuals at the infected until eventually the start of an epidemic infect on number of people who haven’t average more than one person been infected becomes small (R0>1), then the epidemic will and the epidemic runs out of grow. steam. But how do we know how many cases to expect? How How does this help with many people do we need to designing control measures? In vaccinate to prevent an the case of vaccination, outbreak? If we can’t prevent an vaccinated individuals cannot be Figure legend Infectious disease transmission occurs in a chain, with each infected outbreak, how should we use infected, and so the effective individual infecting a number of others (in this schematic exactly 3 others, our resources to prevent the reproductive number in the left figure, black circles). If vaccination is introduced (right figure, white squares) the average number of new infections drops (here the average is hospitals becoming presence of vaccination is lower 2 when 4/13~~1/3 of the population is vaccinated). The vaccinated overwhelmed? These crucial than without vaccination (see people are not the only ones who are protected, there is indirect public health questions can only figure). In fact, if p is the protection for a proportion of the population. This means that not everyone needs to be vaccinated to eradicate a disease (see text for more be addressed using proportion of the population details).

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There are many other forms methodology we use comes depends on the question being Council Centre for Outbreak of complexity which can be from a number of mathematical asked. Models can therefore Analysis and Modelling, led by introduced. For diseases like research areas including rarely be used ‘off-the-shelf’ Professor Neil Ferguson OBE, malaria, which are spread by probability, statistics, mechanics, when addressing a new policy has recently been designated the mosquitoes, our models take ecology, network theory, enzyme question without some first World Health Organisation account of rainfall and ecology in kinetics and computation, from understanding of these Collaborating Centre for local areas to estimate the both long-standing results and limitations and so expert users infectious disease modelling. The impact of the use of bed-nets on current areas of active research. are required. success of the UK in this field is transmission. For sexually All models have their The UK is a world leader in based on a history of using the transmitted diseases, explicit limitations and the the field of infectious disease most appropriate mathematical modelling of sexual contact mathematicians who use them modelling and in the interaction or statistical tool for the problem networks may be required. Since are all too aware of these frailties. between modelling and public at hand, and as such is reliant on the problems addressed within The impact of uncertainties health policy. In recognition of a rich supply of novel this field are so varied, the within the model and the data this, the Medical Research mathematical research.

MATHEMATICS MATTERS MATHEMATICS OF INFORMATION

meaningful information has information more efficiently by a company, but also their ability resulted in a resurgence of including compression into the to make recommendations to seemingly pure mathematics measurement process? If so, their customers. Mathematically research engaging with statistical such a method should allow for this task corresponds to having a questions. Two such exemplary dramatically more efficient large spreadsheet of different novel topics are compressed sensors of all sorts. customers and their film choices; sensing and matrix completion. however, the spreadsheet is Remarkably, seemingly pure largely empty as most customers The ease with which we mathematics informs us that this have seen a tiny fraction of digitally store multitudes of is indeed possible, generating a existing films. The company is documents, as well as capture paradigm shift in data acquisition. tasked with predicting how Professor Jared Tanner and transmit images and video, For instance, it is common in Professor of Mathematics of customers would rank unseen relies on the expectation that the medical imaging that there is Information, University of Edinburgh films, and then using this data we are interested in can, in limited ability to acquire information to make some way, be compressed to a information; limitations range recommendations. This process The proliferation of computing much smaller representation. For from the inability to hold one's is referred to as "matrix and data processing has instance, most documents are breath longer than a short time completion", and is closely influenced the past two decades composed of relatively few during an MRI scan to limiting connected to compressed so fundamentally as to inspire different words, and most images radiation exposure. Incorporating sensing. Again, the success of the term 'Information Age'. are composed of few objects, compression into the data this approach relies on the Although collecting and analysing each of which can normally be acquisition process – known as information having an underlying data has served for centuries as approximated by slowly varying compressed sensing – has structure that is simple, which the bedrock of the scientific colours. Nonetheless, we usually resulted in seven times faster might correspond to there being method, it is the introduction of treat compression as a secondary MRI scan rates. Mathematics has relatively few types of film computers that has elevated the process, to be performed only both inspired this approach and watching preferences. scale of the data to that which after painstakingly acquiring very has proven its effectiveness. we commonly process today. detailed information, such as Similar notions are also being The underpinning Mathematics, and in particular high-precision images. It is, applied to questions in the digital mathematical theory of statistics, has always played a obviously, highly inefficient to first economy. The extraordinary compressed sensing and matrix central role in the collection and carefully acquire information quantity of information available completion follows directly from analysis of data, with foundations when it is known beforehand has made search and the following, apparently abstract, laid by leading UK researchers that only a compressed version recommendation software question. Consider a triangle with such as Bayes, Pearson, and will be retained as it contains the essential. For example, the sides of equal length, a cube Fisher. The prevalence of large essential information. This success of online video rental with all sides equal, or the object data sets and the great need for suggests the question: can we companies is driven not just by one gets when adjoining the algorithms which can extract acquire the desired essential the quantity of films available by bases of two pyramids; these are

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examples of two and three geometers including: dimensional objects known as P McMullen, H Ruben, and G Platonic solids. Mathematics Shephard. These, and other, allows us to define similar objects researchers developed the theory in an arbitrarily large dimension. of randomly projected objects, However, only these three and the formulae necessary to objects retain their structure in calculate when the needed arbitrary dimensions, making properties would be retained, them fundamental to the study which now allow engineers to of geometry. These objects have design the next generation of undergone intense investigation, imaging protocols. Even more including asking questions about abstract, nonlinear, geometric which of their properties remain questions underlying matrix when these objects are completion are currently under ‘randomly flattened’. These intense investigation by UK

retained properties in this last mathematicians. Application Presentation to Peter Simpson question make possible the inspired interactions bridging Immediately after the Seminar Andrew Miller MP made a presentation to seven-fold faster MRI scan rates mathematics, informatics and Peter Simpson who stood down as Scientific Secretary and Editor of Science in Parliament on 31st March. Andrew expressed the mentioned previously. Much of statistics portend a wealth of new Committee’s gratitude to Peter for all his hard work over the years. the foundational theory was technological advances. Courtesy of Jonathan Tickner and the Council for the Mathematical Sciences developed in the UK, by RECOGNISING THE ROLE OF TECHNICIANS

public administration, service parties to consider outputs from The challenges facing the and defence sectors. 1 two White Papers 2 which Technician Council and its considered the future needs for constituent members were Although demand for scientific and engineering skills. complex. Quantifying the technical skills in the UK is Following on from this, a new numbers employed in rapidly increasing, recruitment of body – the Technician Council – technician-based roles was far people into technical roles is was formed to address the from straightforward. Science and failing to keep pace. Today it is underlying issues behind the engineering companies employ calculated that some 2 million skills shortage and to look into many non-technical people and people are employed in how a common framework for conversely, many technicians technician-based roles across all professional recognition could work in non-engineering or Jon Poole, Chief Executive IFST sectors of the economy within be provided across science, science based sectors such as the UK. engineering, IT and health food and retailing. Job titles The day-to-day running of the For the UK to keep pace with sectors. themselves provide no help with UK, as elsewhere in the world, is demand and hold its the term 'technician' used increasingly reliant on This body, Chaired by competitive position, it is indiscriminately – ironically often technology. The changing Stephen Holliday, CEO of essential to recruit, train and to add status to relatively non- economic landscape, and National Grid, was constituted of retain technicians in greater technical roles. increasingly global marketplace, representatives from a wide numbers than in the past. We has added even sharper focus range of stakeholders including A further challenge facing the need around three pupils out of to the critical role technical skills the Science Council; Engineering Technician Council was the every senior school class opting play in supporting all business Council; EngineeringUK; the gender imbalance. Women make for a career in technology. Not sectors ... and it is no longer National Apprenticeship Service; up 49% of the economically only that, there is also a need to only an issue confined to representatives from a number active workforce in the UK, encourage more women into engineering, manufacturing and of individual professional bodies however they remain significantly technician-based roles. science industries. Surprisingly, as well as key SET employers under-represented at every level the largest growth in demand Against this backdrop, in including Ministry of Defence; in SET employment (Science, for technological skills is now 2010, Lord Sainsbury brought Microsoft; Lonza Biologics and Engineering & Technology) – and seen in media & publishing, together a group of interested BAE Systems. in higher levels of STEM

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career paths and will so attract institutions looking to open their talent into these much-needed doors to professional recognition technical roles. of technicians are also looking carefully at the future support What has become clear is and services that they need to that there is already a great provide those involved in appetite from significant technical roles to ensure that numbers of employers, they are truly relevant to the educational-based organisations next generation of technicians. and other interested bodies such as Sector Skills Councils, unions What is needed now is for and trade bodies for the proper everyone who can provide recognition of technicians. support – whether in Government, education, In the case of my own sector, academe, but especially the food sector, the Institute of employers, to acknowledge and Food Science & Technology celebrate the contribution (IFST) recognises the huge technicians make to their potential presented through businesses and to the UK education (Science, Technology, Council culminate in a high professional recognition of 3 economy. Engineering & Maths). profile launch event, attended by technicians. The food sector, senior people from industry, To find out more about Providing job mobility for from farm to fork, employs science and technology, professional recognition for technicians across all sectors around 117,000 skilled Government officials and the technicians, the future plans for was one of the key principles individuals who use some media. At this event, the the Technician Council and to which the Technician Council element of science within their Technician Council unveiled the see how you can support this needed to incorporate. More roles – whether in quality results of its 18 month review important programme, please people will be attracted to assurance; food inspection and into the gap in technical skills visit the website: technical roles if they can see safety; plant or animal breeding provision in the UK, and that the roles can bring with or further along the food www.techniciancouncil.org presented their production chain within retailing them flexibility and the potential References recommendations. and logistics. for transferability. If employers 1 ONS Labour Force Survey 2009 The problems relating to the are able to recognise those with IFST is pleased to have been 2 Skills for Growth: The National Skills the requisite technical and softer professional recognition of granted a licence from the Strategy (BIS 2009) and Skills for skills (which are often very technicians may be complex but Science Council along with six Sustainable Growth (BIS 2010). transferable) through the potential benefits are other pilot bodies to offer 3 UKRC’s Guide (2010) expected to be significant. professional recognition they will Registered Science Technician 4 Science Council, Science Technicians in have more confidence when Employers benefit from (RSciTech) registration. We the Workforce, 2011 employing technicians. recruiting and retaining more believe that offering this new form of professional status can Research conducted by the highly skilled and motivated encourage food technicians to Science Council 4 highlighted technical people. They will also focus on enhancing their skills that many technicians feel that find there is greater transparency through continuing professional while they do have a in the recruitment process given development, and so improve professional identity, this identity that professional recognition of technicians is expected to the quality and safety of food is not well developed – indeed, become a ‘shorthand’ for high produced in the UK. most would not describe quality skilled practitioners. themselves as ‘professionals’. The launch by the Technician The same research also Technicians themselves Council is merely the end of the identified that a formal clearly benefit from greater first phase. The next phase will framework for professional respect; the opportunity for see the translation of the initial recognition was desirable, firstly more focused development and groundwork into a viable and in terms of gaining respect from the prospect of enhanced career vibrant form of recognition. other work colleagues, but also mobility and prospects. The Technician Council has because of the clearer career The UK economy will benefit been ‘signing up’ employers and opportunities and pathways that because providing professional other supporting bodies who are such recognition might provide. recognition for people working prepared to commit formally and March 26 saw the first phase in technical roles raises their publicly to support the future of work by the Technician standing; can provide clearer vision for technicians. Those

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A GLIMPSE OF THE FUTURE? This article is based on a Cumberland initiative working paper and is published in a similar form elsewhere. The simulation in Figure 1 was performed under MATCH, funded by the EPSRC. Professor TP Young Jim Parle FRCGP MD Chair of Healthcare Systems, Professor of Primary Care, School of Information Systems, College of Medical and Dental Sciences, Computing and Mathematics, Brunel University University of Birmingham

It’s Friday evening at the patients will not wait for a bed. accidents, there was now a 2030, care will have to look very Emergency Department – the As each arrived, a sophisticated robust map of what the evening different – we simply will not ED – in the city centre, and software system was already might look like. Again, there have the staff to manage things are getting busy. At the sifting through records and GP- were always exceptions, but burgeoning demand. Most of heart of the hive are a dozen generated predictions, capturing now there was more resource the indicators are that we are comfortable cubicles the provisional diagnoses of the left over to manage those travelling in the direction of surrounding the nerve centre, a consultant-led front-of- carefully. using data intelligently to predict place to which ED staff return Department team and feeding and manage demand – the key In fact, everywhere you look repeatedly throughout the this information into the model question is how fast? Can we this Friday evening, predictors evening, updating notes, putting that drove the prediction-display bring the clock forward and have buried deep in the system are up new names or removing the on the wall. But the system also most of this in place before gathering data and signalling names of patients who have uses this knowledge to signal 2020? silently to other parts of the been discharged or admitted to forward to the wards, and, system. Seemingly magically, The answer is that almost all the main hospital. sometimes, to other care resources have been ready the technology needed has services, about the likely And each of them glances when needed – 98.7% of the already been developed in admissions and discharges over from time to time at the wall- time, according to the display on some form and has been used the next few hours. These mounted display showing a set the wall this evening. Wards are successfully somewhere. Figure systems cannot say exactly who of predictions. Unlike the estimating the length of patient 1, for instance, came from a will be admitted tonight, but ubiquitous satnav predicting stays to the hour, and simulation performed in our they have become uncannily arrival time, this system keeps scheduling transport services, group by Dr Julie Eatock. It good at getting the averages estimating how long the patients alerting social services and shows admissions to an urban right. will be in the Department managers of intermediate care ED (blue) averaged over 4 tonight. Back in the noughties, The GP-generated predictions to emerging demand, and weeks. In red is the likelihood of before such systems were have also been a great success. texting friends and relatives with breaching the 4-hour limit – popular, a wait of more than Two hours ago, every feeder updates on when to expect until recently a national standard four hours meant the ED had practice submitted its estimate people home. – estimated as each new patient breached the metrics. Now, the of how many people in its arrives. Such a model, if Two decades ago, people display goes amber as soon as catchment were likely to pitch implemented in real time, would had been really worried about the average predicted stay up as emergency admissions give staff up to 4 hours to avoid the European Working Time exceeds 90 minutes, and red every day for the next nine days. breaching. highlights identify patients who Directive and the loss of To begin with, these estimates Increasingly, doctors, nurses are heading for the two hour resource it represented as Junior had been haphazard, but it had and healthcare managers are mark. Later this evening it will go Doctors and others had to cut not taken long for the main risks turning to models and amber again, and the Consultant their on-call hours. Today, in to be pinned down – the simulations to get a handle on in charge will spend five minutes 2030, the NHS delivers more weather forecast (especially cold care management. Stockport running three pre-set scenarios and better care than ever snaps), the demographics (the PCT noted a rise in GP referrals through the model, including the before, and the number of staff very young and the very elderly to hospital after the introduction option of redirecting some of has stabilised well below 2010 are higher users of services), of the new ‘free choice’ system the anticipated demand, before levels. As well as cutting costs diseases such as diabetes (with for patients. Scenario Generator, choosing how best to manage dramatically, the NHS has more its associated morbidity), and a modelling package, was used the crisis that will not happen well-paid jobs and three-quarters risk factors such as alcohol to trace and analyse the routes tonight. It has been six months of the workforce now choose consumption (with its link to – or pathways – patients were since any patient stayed for their working hours through an violence) – and now EDs have choosing and the management more than 2½ hours. on-line negotiating service. been planning with confidence team found a way to ensure Smooth throughput needs to for a decade. Together with a Will it take until 2030 to that 97% of patients received an be blockage-free, so tonight few sports injuries and other deliver such a service? Well, by appointment within 28 days and

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that nobody waited for more than 37 (mashnet.info/case study/stockport-pct-%e2%80% 93-understanding-demand capacity-and-waiting-times/).

Meanwhile, Dr Julie Hankin, a Consultant Psychiatrist and Clinical Director for service improvement, writes, “Mental health is affected by education, the criminal justice system, by employment and a host of other factors. If one can build these variables into models of mental Figure 1 Simulation of arrivals and breaches at an ED health care, then one can performance-manage outcomes The SHIP cluster (http://hamp help them is a systematic push hold all the variables in your and not simply simulate service shire.nhs.uk/component/content to integrate this together and mind – a mental model – or delivery. More practically, in the /article/60-corporate/780-ship- apply it across the nation. This you need to find a short term, modelling allows you pct-cluster-takes-shape) will will mean drawing our computational way to manage to look across health and social need to commission nearly £3 knowledge companies into the problems. Models and services and see the impact of billion of care each year. To do healthcare in a new way. In a computer simulation are a way different commitments at this, it has brought together a sense, the Connecting for Health of managing the complexity various points in the patient range of tools from sources as debacle may unfortunately have when our ability to foresee all pathway. It can really help us to diverse as the Johns Hopkins inoculated the NHS against the the unintended consequences optimise the positioning of Bloomberg School of Public information disease. Everyone runs out. resources and see, in advance, has had just enough of IT-driven Health, McKesson and Experian, Other sectors have used the knock-on effects of the change to build up the to predict and then procure the these methods to great changes we want to make. This antibodies. But what if we care that is needed. advantage. We now make better is not a pipe dream. Lots of caught the ‘knowledge’ disease cars more profitably – and more businesses use modelling very Figure 2 shows a control in the NHS big time? of them – than ever before. The effectively. There is no reason room in Tan Tock Seng Hospital, Of course, it is not just about grocery giants have shown what why we cannot make it work for Singapore, a concept that is scaling up. We know that adding can be done by detailed analysis mental health services” starting to catch on in large extra lanes to our motorways of their supply chains – fresher (http://www.cumberland- hospital Trusts here. The big rarely eases congestion and food, more choice, and, of initiative.org/2012/02/21/planni question is, what are the often makes it worse. The course, a vastly more profitable ng-mental-health-services-using- knowledge systems that will reason is that the motorway is sector. simulation-and-modelling/). manage the flows behind the only a part of a complex social displays? The Cumberland Initiative While not yet connected to system of people and work and (www.cumberland-initiative.org) patient notes, great strides are These examples establish a families and school and home is an attempt by a group of being taken to risk-stratify direction and there is a new and football and weddings, and research academics with strong patients, especially those with generation of doctors coming funerals and shopping, and ... healthcare credentials, working long-term conditions, such as through who will re-wire their the list is endless. Changing one with clinicians and knowledge diabetes or physical impairment. world. What is needed now to part of that system changes the companies, to bring this vision choices we have and we adjust into reality. We understand that our behaviour accordingly. Often the vision is almost too great to the net effect is to take things be taken seriously. We also back to where they were, know that, in time, the system sometimes to make things will get there on its own. worse. In the past half century, we have come to understand So what is it worth to bring quite a lot about systems and the future a decade closer? And the perplexing responses we get what is the biggest barrier to this to the changes we implement. level of change? Well, it is us. As Jay Forrester, a seminal thinker Henry Ford is reported to have in this field, pointed out that said “Whether you think that you when things become very can, or that you can’t, you are Figure 2 Photograph provided by Professor Sally Brailsford, Southampton University complex, you must either try to usually right.”

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INSPIRING STUDENTS INTO STEM CAREERS

THE DEMOGRAPHIC through into STEM related jobs, Engineers – have dirty hands PROBLEM relates to perceptions developed (41%) repair cars (43%) and early. These perceptions may wear overalls (34%). Scientists – Andrew Miller highlighted the derive from parents, teachers, are clever (73%) wear white findings of the Science Council friends or exposure to media coats (42%) and wear glasses that there are 5.8 million people stereotypes. They are well (19%). Students have a (20% of the UK workforce) established early in a school perception which fits into a employed in science based career. As a general rule, young stereotype of these jobs without roles. To keep pace with the people going into secondary any real idea of what the roles needs of industry this needs to education have poor perceptions involve. rise to 7.1 million people by about engineering and applied 2030. This means that we will Our observations have Dr Gordon Mizner sciences as a job or career, and Chief Executive, EDT need many more people with recently been supported by the an even poorer understanding of these skills and qualifications Education and Employers Task the actual jobs and careers coming into the workforce, over Force in research they have undertaken in modern business. Writing in the Autumn and above those required to published into the career 2011 edition of replace those leaving through This lack of knowledge and prospects and aspirations of associated adverse perceptions children at school. The research Science in Parliament retirement or changes in careers. There is a similar situation in the militates against the increases in concluded that there was “strong Andrew Miller MP, engineering industries. At the uptake which are required to fill evidence that there is a Chairman of the EDT we hold discussions with the vacancies in these sectors. misalignment between the Parliamentary and numerous companies and other This means that students are not career aspirations of many young organisations in the science and being prepared to match the people and real job prospects”. Scientific Committee, engineering industries. It is jobs that are going to be The report pointed to research highlighted the danger already clear that there are skills available. It also means that our into the occupational of future shortages of shortages in many disciplines. core industries will not be able preferences of Year 7 pupils to source the talent they require mapped against actual jobs by The demographics of the UK qualified scientists and in the UK so that there is a risk sector in the UK which shows make this even more of a noted the need for that these industries will be that “nearly one half of challenge as the age profile of forced to base themselves respondents aspired to school students to get the population means that large elsewhere. A double negative for occupations actually undertaken numbers of skilled workers are practical experience of the UK economy. by one in twenty of the working nearing retirement age. At the science subjects if the population.” same time the number of 18 EDT undertakes research into UK is to supply the year olds leaving school will perceptions of pupils aged There is a serious problem anticipated need. Dr decline over the next ten years. between 12 and 14, and their with the perceptions and Gordon Mizner, Chief This means that we need a understanding of particular jobs aspirations of pupils as they is enlightening. When asked to come into secondary education. Executive of education significant increase in the proportion of school leavers nominate 5 attributes of a Interventions need to be found charity EDT backs up pursuing science and particular role the pupils’ which will guide pupils into this thought by engineering careers to meet the responses centred on ideas that viable careers. From the point of recommending that needs of the UK’s core industries. properly resourced education/business THE PERCEPTION PROBLEM links is the solution to future shortages of EDT is deeply rooted in encouraging science, technology, scientists and engineering, and maths (STEM) engineers. subjects in schools. A large part of the problem in getting more young people interested in STEM subjects, and then following

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school curriculum is only one to mentor the school teams, half of the problem. The other giving them excellent CPD half is providing the experiences; experiences and developing their provision of the projects that confidence. engage and the role models that SELEX Galileo is one of many inspire. Organisations like EDT committed companies and EDT can provide the infrastructure to is currently providing STEM co-ordinate the work, but the enrichment experiences for real contact can only be upwards of 25,000 students provided by the STEM industries each year. However, there is themselves, committing much more to do. We are resources of manpower and making progress on increasing finance to inspire the next the proportion of girls on the view of the future health of our models who can inform them of generation of scientists and programmes but there is a wider core science, technology and the reality of STEM jobs and engineers which will be their task in engaging the ‘harder to engineering industries it is workforce. careers. It is important that such reach’ schools. This is a resource important that these intervention comes early in their We have found that challenge because sustaining interventions guide a significant school careers because GCSE enlightened companies are relationships with such schools is proportion into STEM careers. (or Scottish equivalent) choices willing to put resource into difficult, but there is enormous are often the point at which partnering with EDT to deliver scope to include many more CHANGING many students wave goodbye to PERCEPTIONS enrichment experiences that schools. the option of a STEM career inform and inspire school Fortunately there is evidence without even having considered students into a STEM career. We THE CHALLENGE AND that the perception of students it properly. work with industry leaders such THE SOLUTION can be changed. EDT’s In order to achieve widened as Rolls Royce, Eon, BP, and The challenge we face is perception research is taken participation we have to do Astra Zeneca and many others in stark. Unless significant effort is before and after an experience more to inspire and generate delivering such experiences. made to inform and inspire of a business-related science or interest among those who would students into STEM careers early engineering project experience. We tailor a partnership to the not naturally seek out in their secondary school careers, The figures quoted above are needs of the companies. Typical information about STEM we will not have sufficient ‘before’. The ‘after’ figures show is our relationship with SELEX opportunities. This means qualified people to supply the a much better understanding of Galileo, a leader in defence providing events and activities jobs in STEM industries which the realities of the role. electronics. SELEX Galileo that enable real experiences and recognises the importance of an the UK can provide. The flip side The research by the contact with role models; ‘seeing outreach programme to assist in of this is that, if we don’t inform Education and Employers Task it in action’, ‘hands on’. Finding recruitment. It works with EDT to and inspire students into STEM Force shows “compelling the time and resource within take a dynamic approach to jobs, a proportion are likely to evidence that young people are schools for this to take place is engaging with the schools in its end up with qualifications which especially attentive and trusting crucial, and encouragement to local areas. As well as the don’t fit the available job market, of first-hand information about make this time and resource benefits to the schools and leaving them unemployed and jobs and career pathways available will need to come from students outlined above, SELEX disillusioned. received from employers”. They government. Galileo has found that providing The good news is that we also note that “countries with mentoring activity for the know the solution to this greatest success in dealing with PROVIDING students is important to staff challenge. Exposing students to youth unemployment typically EXPERIENCES development. The EDT schemes real work problems and include extensive workplace However, including provide the opportunity for new environments and enabling exposure within education enrichment activities in the graduate recruits and apprentices them to engage with appropriate programmes”. role models will modify their All the evidence suggests that false perceptions and inspire if caught at an early stage it is them to engage in STEM careers quite possible without too much with jobs that are needed and resource to improve significantly well rewarded. a secondary school student’s We can see the challenge, we perceptions of science and know the solution – what is engineering careers by engaging needed is for government and them with a real business industry to work out how best to problem or environment and implement that solution. There is giving them exposure to role little time for procrastination.

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SET FOR BRITAIN On Monday 12th March SET for BRITAIN 2012 was held in the House of Commons Terrace Marquee. Andrew Miller MP, Chairman of the Parliamentary and Scientific Committee, acted as host to 180 early-career researchers who brought their posters to Westminster to take part in the competition and to show their research to Members of both Houses of Parliament, 90 of whom attended.

The competition was divided into three sections: Biological and Biomedical Sciences, Physical Sciences (Chemistry and Physics) and Engineering. The posters in each section were judged by panels of experts from the Society of Biology, The Physiological Society, the Royal Society of Chemistry, the Institute of Physics and the Royal Academy of Engineering.

Medals were awarded to the winners of each session, together with Gold, Silver and Bronze Awards of cash prizes. These awards were made possible by generous donations from BP, EADS, Airbus, AgChemAccess, the Institution of Engineering and Technology, the Institute of Biomedical Science, Oxford Instruments, GE Hitachi and the Wellcome Trust.

The final award was the Westminster Medal, donated by the SCI in memory of Dr Eric Wharton, who founded SET for BRITAIN and, with his wife Sue, ran the events for many years. The winners of the four Gold awards were judged on the strength of their skill in Biology Prizewinners Engineering Gold communicating the scientific Prizewinners in the Biology session with Dr Philip Jeannette Heiligers, winner of the Engineering Gold concept in their poster by Sir Wright, The Physiological Society, Dr Stephen Benn award, with Neil Scott, Airbus, and Sir John Parker, John Beddington, Government and Dr Mark Downs, Society of Biology, Andrew Miller Royal Academy of Engineering. MP and Jill Rodney, Institute of Biomedical Science. Chief Scientific Adviser, Lord Krebs and Andrew Miller MP, Chairmen of the Science and Technology Select Committees in both Houses of Parliament.

PRIZE WINNERS Biological and Biomedical Sciences Gold Award: £3,000 and Engineering Silver Engineering Bronze Jonathan Dewsbury with David Powell, GE Hitachi, and Dr Simon Leigh with Ben Rudd, Institution of the GW Mendel Medal: Mr Sir John Parker, Royal Academy of Engineering. Nicholas Love, Faculty of Engineering and Technology, and Sir John Parker, Royal Academy of Engineering. Life Sciences, University of Manchester: HYDROGEN PEROXIDE AS A NOVEL AND NECESSARY REGULATOR OF APPENDAGE REGENERATION Silver Award: £2,000: Miss Renata Gomes, Physiology, Anatomy and Genetics, University of Oxford: NANOPARTICLES FOR Physical Sciences Group Winners SIMULTANEOUS MRI Winners in the Physical Sciences session with Lynn Shepherd, Oxford Instruments, Gary Phillips, AgChemAccess, TRACKING AND Dr Stephen Benn, Andrew Miller MP, Professor Sir Peter Knight, Institute of Physics, Dr Ellen Williams, BP, and Professor David Phillips, Royal Society of Chemistry. MICRORNA DELIVERY

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Bronze Award: £1,000: Dr Christopher Silver Award: £2,000: Miss Hannah Arnold, Department of Physics, University of Oxford: Burt, Disease and Stress Biology, John RELIABLY PREDICTING UNCERTAINTY IN WEATHER AND CLIMATE FORECASTS Innes Centre, Norwich: EYESPOT DISEASE Bronze Award: £1,000: Dr Daniel Elford, Department of Physics, Loughborough OF WHEAT: PROBLEM SOLVED? University: NOVEL NOISE BARRIER TECHNOLOGY Physical Sciences (Chemistry and Physics) Engineering Chemistry Gold Award: £3,000 and Engineering Medal: Miss Jeannette Heiligers, Mechanical and Gold Award: £3,000 and Roscoe Medal: Aerospace Engineering, University of Strathclyde: POLE-SITTER SPACECRAFT FOR EARTH Dr Matthew Powner, Department of OBSERVATION Chemistry, University College London: THE CHEMICAL ORIGINS OF LIFE Silver Award: £2,000: Dr Simon Leigh, School of Engineering, University of Warwick: ‘CLICK TO MANUFACTURE’ SENSORS AND ELECTRONICS Silver Award: £2,000: Miss Laura Davies, School of Chemistry, Newcastle Bronze Award: £1,000: Mr Jonathan Dewsbury, Ground Engineering, Buro Happold Ltd University: TAMING A FUNCTIONAL Bath/University of Southampton: RE-USING FOUNDATIONS GROUP: THE FIRST AIR-STABLE Westminster Medal in memory of Dr Eric Wharton (overall winner): FLUORESCENT PRIMARY PHOSPHINES Mr Nicholas Love, Faculty of Life Sciences, University of Manchester: HYDROGEN AND THEIR APPLICATIONS IN DISEASE PEROXIDE AS A NOVEL AND NECESSARY REGULATOR OF APPENDAGE REGENERATION IMAGING Bronze Award: £1,000: Mr Alessandro Poma, Cranfield Biotechnology Centre, Cranfield University: SOLID-PHASE SYNTHESIS OF MOLECULARLY IMPRINTED NANOPARTICLES (“PLASTIC ANTIBODIES”) Physics Gold Award: £3,000 and Cavendish Medal: Dr Kevin O’Keeffe, Department of Physics, University of Oxford: QUASI- PHASE-MATCHED HIGH HARMONIC Francis Maude MP and Eleanor Knight Julie Hilling MP, Thomas Benians GENERATION & Hilary Benn MP

Mark Field MP & Dan Credgington Lilian Greenwood MP, Kim Hardie, Dina Lary Julian Huppert with Julien Gautrot

Sue Wharton presenting the Westminster medal to Nicholas Love

Gold award winners from all sections with the Westminster Medal judges, winners in the Chi Onwura MP & Alexander Nicholson Engineering section, Sue Wharton and other members of the organising team.

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THE QUEEN ELIZABETH PRIZE FOR ENGINEERING Anji Hunter, QE Prize Director

From large-scale power and over the next 10 years, we will engineering, whether through and Technology Committee, and water infrastructure to the need 2 million new engineering innovative medical techniques or comprises leading figures from nanotechnology and recruits to remain competitive improved communications the international engineering bioengineering that are systems. The engineering press community including Professor The Queen Elizabeth Prize beginning to enhance our daily and industry are behind the Shih, President of the King for Engineering (QEPrize) is a lives, the products of prize and much debate and Abdullah University of Saudi new international award of £1m, engineering are ubiquitous in enthusiasm have been sparked Arabia, Diane Greene, a Director for up to three individuals modern society. This makes it a in the engineering community. at Google, Professor Brian Cox responsible for a pioneering Nevertheless, appreciation of of CERN and Madam Deng, subject of huge importance to advance in engineering that is of engineering remains low and Chief Executive Secretary of the the economy, and to humanity benefit to humanity. It has been raising this level is one of the China Association for Science as a whole. Yet, we take much established by the Queen key objectives of the Prize. and Technology. The prestigious of this for granted. It is time Elizabeth Prize for Engineering panel reflects the diversity and engineering is acknowledged Foundation, chaired by Lord The QEPrize was launched reach of the prize, bringing not only for its contributions to Browne of Madingley. The prize officially on 17 November 2011 business and academia together, improving our quality of life but will be awarded biennially and is at the Science Museum in to inspire interest in engineering the contribution that investment being generously funded by London and was attended by globally. in technology and engineering donations from leading the leaders of the three major projects makes to growth. In engineering companies: BAE political parties. David Cameron, The search for a winner has 2009, UK industry contributed Systems, BG Group, BP, GSK, Nick Clegg and Ed Miliband all begun and the QEPrize team is 21% of the country’s GDP. UK Jaguar Land Rover, National signalled their support for the developing media opportunities engineering is highly successful, Grid, Shell UK Ltd, Siemens UK, prize and spoke of the need for and designing activities that will and it is vital that it maintains its Sony, Tata Consultancy Services, engineering to be promoted engage the public, and young competitive position. Tata Steel Europe and Toshiba. both in the UK and people in particular, in the internationally. The Prime promotion of engineering across Encouraging young people to The support of these Minister expressed hope that the world. study engineering is therefore multinational companies this “magnificent new prize” essential. Although the number highlights not only the prestige The inaugural prize will be would eventually achieve the has started to increase, of the award but also its global awarded by the Queen in Spring same stature and recognition as engineering students still only reach. 2013. In the interim, the the Nobel Prize, stating that “it is Olympics will be a major account for around 6% of the Media reaction to the prize a chance to celebrate our great platform for great feats of student population. An has been wholly positive, with pioneers and those committed engineering, from the stadia to engineering career needs to coverage stretching across the to change our world for the the sports equipment to the appeal to more women; world, from the USA to Korea. better”. Cross-party support in infrastructure. Engineering in currently women make up only The prize is stimulating a thinking about engineering communications, technology 8% of the engineers in the UK, significant amount of discussion policy is crucial to the and medicine will continue to the lowest number in Europe. about how the public, and development of the economy grow. Engineering industries are huge young people especially, and it is encouraging that the employers and ensuring that we perceive engineering. One QE Prize is helping to place it With the announcement of have enough engineering conclusion is that societal more firmly on the radar of the first award, the QEPrize will graduates to meet the demand development hinges to a large parliamentarians. be on its way to securing a is essential; it is estimated that extent on advances in lasting legacy of engineering. At the end of February, in a worldwide campaign, the For more information on the . . . it is time engineering is website was launched, prize, please visit nominations opened and www.qeprize.org acknowledged for its contributions membership of the Judging Panel was announced. The to improving our quality of life. . . panel is chaired by Lord Broers, who sits on the Lords Science

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SCIENCE IN THE CLASSROOM: The School of the Future

Since its inception in 2006, the All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) on Scientific Research in Learning and Education has heard about a number of issues but underlying these has been the need to translate scientific research relevant to education into the classroom. The group recently held a discussion forum to look at what a school of the future might look like in terms of use of scientific research.

apprenticeship with the pupils scientific research that showed with the contrast between action learning from the teacher and dopamine levels increased the research and controlled trials. He Dr Ellie Dommett not an empirical model. A most in situations of uncertainty believed that it is possible to Brain and Behavioural Sciences, school of the future would and that this dopamine find suitable measures and The Open University involve shared databases, where response was indicative of the control conditions for education schools could test ideas and level of learning. He suggested research and therefore this way create new thinking and that for science like this to of thinking should be communicate this thinking more impact on education three entertained. Finally he compared widely. Critically, he suggested it things needed to occur. Firstly, the current situation with the was important to engage with more research had to be done ideal future and suggested that mixed research methods ranging in areas relevant to education we need to move from the from action research to and this will require a dialogue politically driven approach that randomised controlled trials. to establish what is relevant. swings from pole to pole to a Kelley then described some of Secondly, studies needed to diagnosis and treatment The meeting was chaired by the innovative practices occur to check that effects found approach. In terms of research Baroness Greenfield and heard implemented at Monkseaton in the laboratory could be seen methods, he felt that education from four experts in the field of High School. These included in the classroom. Finally, needs to shift from being a one- education. Opening the meeting shifting the start of the school practice-based studies are trick pony using action research were Professor David Reynolds, day back to 10am to fit better needed, which merge with the only to using a variety of of Southampton University, a with the circadian rhythms of teachers and therefore take methods, perhaps with schools world-leading expert on teacher pupils and prevent some of the advantage of their expertise. combining in their efforts. effectiveness, and Dr Paul Kelley, consequences of sleep Howard-Jones then went on to Headteacher of the innovative A lively discussion followed deprivation hitting the classroom, describe how these three levels Monkseaton High School. the presentations and it was including increased irritability, of testing had been used to Professor Reynolds began by clear that all speakers agreed increased anxiety and decreased develop gaming technologies in stating that although education that education can benefit from immunity. He also described the the classroom. has undergone a series of engaging with science and with use of Spaced Learning in the changes, its rate of change is The final speaker for the scientific method and therefore classroom and suggested that not as fast as many areas meeting was Richard Churches, as we look to the future we not outcome measures had shown surrounding it and the dominant Principal Consultant for Learning only need to think “What” we clear improvement in pupils. mode of teaching; one teacher and Teaching with the CfBT. He should be investigating in to thirty pupils, has largely The meeting then heard from suggested that the problem so education but also “How” and remained unchanged. He Dr Paul Howard-Jones, of Bristol far has been a gulf in research collaboration is likely to be a key suggested that there is a University, about how gaming methods between fields such as factor in further development number of reasons for this, not can be used in the classroom to neuroscience and education, effective classroom strategies. least the lack of applied support learning. Howard-Jones research; with teacher described the effects of . . . education can benefit from effectiveness research, for computer gaming on the brain example, being less prominent and, in particular, the effects on engaging with science and with than research into the history of the mesolimbic dopamine scientific method . . . education. Additionally, he stated pathway, which is implicated in that the dominant model in motivational behaviours such as Dr Dommett has asked us to point out that in her last article (vol 68 no 2 p 45) she education is one of eating and sex. He described should have referred to Dr Lauren Stewart, not to Dr Lauren Scott.

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GROUND ENGINEERING – WHY IT MATTERS Meeting of the Parliamentary and Scientific Committee on Tuesday 28th February INTRODUCTION TO PAPERS ON GROUND ENGINEERING

Keith Gabriel Past Chairman of The Ground Forum Director, Gabriel GeoConsulting Ltd

Do we need to be able to maintain the UK’s transport infrastructure?

Do we want to be able to adapt the UK’s flood defences and other infrastructure to meet the climate change challenge?

Do we need to be able to dispose of our nuclear waste safely underground?

Do we want to improve the energy efficiency of the foundation systems for offshore wind farms?

The answer to all these questions is, of course, yes. Skilled ground engineering professionals are essential for all these foundations contaminated land clean up activities, and for many others which the retaining walls nation relies on to construct and cuttings and embankments maintain our built environment and tunnels infrastructure. However ground flood defences engineering professionals need post coastal protection renewable energy graduate degrees that neither they nor earth and rock dams the industry can afford. offshore foundations and pipelines At the meeting of the Parliamentary landfill engineering mine and cavity stability and Scientific Committee (P&SC) on landslide mitigation 28th February 2012 four presentations were given concerning the substantial ground engineering is everywhere contribution of ground engineering to the ground engineering is everywhere www.ground-forum.org.uk UK’s infrastructure and the significant shortage of locally-based ground engineers in the UK which, despite the recent downturn in construction, is likely to get worse. All buildings and civil engineering structures are supported by These papers include the presentations from that meeting. the ground or are constructed underground so it follows that The concluding paper considers in more detail the nature and ground engineering is essential to the built environment, causes of the skills shortage in ground engineering, describes a including all forms of infrastructure. Ground engineers provide recent initiative by the Ground Forum 1 to improve coordination advice, undertake design and supervise construction in a range of between industry and academia and presents possible solutions activities that involve the ground. to the current skills shortage. These include foundations (for buildings, bridges, wind farms, WHAT IS GROUND ENGINEERING? power stations, etc); retaining walls; tunnels and pipejacks; Ground engineering is defined by the Ground Forum as “An earthworks, including embankments and cuttings for roads and understanding of geological structures, materials and processes, railways; port and harbour developments; and underground combined with the systematic application of investigative, storage facilities for gas and nuclear waste. Ground engineers scientific and mathematical techniques to produce practical also undertake design and maintenance of reservoirs and landfill solutions to ground-related problems for the benefit of society”. sites.

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Even when no buildings or rigid structures are involved since 2004, and remain on it despite the increased rigour which ground engineering plays an important role: coastal defences, the Government now applies to the regular reviews of the list, flood control embankments, remediation of contaminated land, most recently in 2011. This enables the UK to rely on migrant landslide mitigation, renewable energy (ground source heat professionals from outside the EU to meet the nation’s needs for pumps and geothermal), and recycling of materials to protect ground engineers and was described by one major employer as natural resources – all require people with an understanding of “our life saver”. The Shortage Occupation List provides a short to both geology and engineering. medium term solution to the skills shortage but does not provide a sustainable long-term solution; ‘home grown’ ground engineers WHAT IS A GROUND ENGINEER? are essential.

A ground engineer typically has a first degree (usually civil 1 The Ground Forum brings together Learned Societies and Trade Associations engineering or geology/applied geology), followed by a second representing construction-related ground engineering disciplines; see degree (MSc or PhD) in soil mechanics, geotechnical www.ground-forum.org.uk for list of member organisations. The Learned Societies undertake the dissemination of information and oversee professional engineering, engineering geology or a similar ground-related qualifications; while Trade Associations represent the commercial interests of subject. (Civil engineers require knowledge of the ground; and consultants, contractors, and manufacturers in the sector. The Ground Forum is geologists require knowledge of engineering. This is usually therefore a single voice which draws together construction-related ground acquired in a one year MSc). engineering interests of both companies and individuals.

However ground engineers are in short supply. Job titles in the sector have been on the official Shortage Occupation List

GROUND ENGINEERING – WHY IT MATTERS VALUE OF GROUND ENGINEERING

We know more about the ground using foundations. The much of the support to a solar system than we do about amount of the ground needed structure is hidden beneath the the ground beneath our feet. to support a structure depends surface. The support of the This was the view of Leonardo on the characteristics and use of ground not only has to ensure da Vinci in the 15th Century and the structure and the properties that the structure remains stable remains valid today. Our of the ground. Ground it also has to limit the knowledge of the ground has engineers design systems that movement or settlement of the increased significantly, especially transfer the weight of a structure building. All buildings settle. The on the macro scale, but at a and all that it contains, and the classic case of differential scale relevant to the external forces acting on the settlement is the Leaning Tower construction industry we still structure, such as wind and of Pisa but with most structures Barry Clarke struggle to understand what is snow loading, to the ground. this would be unacceptable. The Professor of Civil Engineering there and how it will affect the foundation has to control that Geotechnics, University of Leeds Most structures are built of Senior Vice President, Institution structures we build. This can manufactured materials such as settlement so that the building of Civil Engineers lead to contract delays, bricks, concrete and steel which functions as designed. increased construction costs, are much stronger than the Ground engineers also build damage to property and ground on which they are built. structures, such as tunnels, potentially failure during and This means the load of the pipelines, basements and post construction. To minimise structure has to be spread onto retaining walls, in the ground. the risks we need engineers and or into the ground using Most of the services, including geologists who have appropriate foundations. Therefore the water, gas, electricity, skills and the tools to be able to volume of ground affected by communication and sewers, are investigate the ground and to the structure can be installed in the ground. The work with nature to design, considerable. The spreading of difference between these construct and maintain the built the load can be compared to structures and foundations is environment. the concept of using snowshoes that the ground imposes the Everything built is either on, to stand on snow; and the load on these structures; in or with ground. Buildings and volume affected is similar to the foundations impose the load on bridges are supported by the concept of the iceberg in that the ground. However, many of

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the principles that apply to of the construction industry and are primarily the economic embankments, and the scale of foundations also apply to these ground is a key component of infrastructure. The infrastructure the network the ground work embedded structures. In both the built environment. The built is continually being adapted to contributes between 30% and cases the ground engineer has environment is broadly split into meet the needs of society and 40% of the total value of the to work with the ground that domestic property; social make use of emerging economic infrastructure; that is exists which requires under- infrastructure such as schools, technology. Modern between £234B and £312B. standing the formation of the hospitals, retail outlets, leisure infrastructure can be traced back This excludes the cost of the ground through extensive facilities and other community over 2000 years. The road materials such as concrete and studies of the literature, how it structures; and economic network can be traced back over steel that are used to build the impacts on the behaviour of infrastructure such as utility, 2000 years; the rail network was structures and an interpretation communication and transport started over 150 years ago; structures such as foundations of maps, plans and in situ networks. modern utilities were first laid within the ground. investigations to establish what down over 100 years ago. The Infrastructure UK, created in While the focus is on the is actually there. UK has a mature infrastructure 2009, focuses on the economic importance of ground that has to be continually Ground can be natural, infrastructure, which allows engineering in construction, maintained, repaired, adapted formed by geological processes, society to function as it facilitates ground engineers are also and replaced. or manmade. In the latter case the movement of materials, engaged in the extraction of this includes archaeological products, energy, knowledge Replacement cost is more minerals. The average American deposits especially in towns and and people. These infrastructure useful than historic value needs some 1,500 tonnes of cities as well as the soil and rock networks are complex because much of the UK minerals during their life. This is used to build structures such as interdependent systems. For Infrastructure is either nearing made up of about 42% of embankments, landscaping and example, according to the the end of its life and will have energy (gas, oil and coal), 9% earth dams. These manmade Treasury, the road network to be replaced or it has to be of various economic minerals structures involve considerable comprises forty types of roads adapted to meet the needs of quantities of ground being and includes a variety of society, cope with emerging (eg iron, limestone for cement excavated, transported and structures such as bridges, technology, deal with climate and bauxite for aluminium) and placed in an engineering culverts, walls and overhead change or conform to new 49% stone, sand and gravel. manner. The largest structures in gantries; communications regulations. The economic life of Over 50% of the minerals the world, earth dams, are built equipment; and land. The components within the extracted from the ground are of soil and rock; they have been highway network, a subset of infrastructure network varies used in the construction industry used for centuries as a the road network, has a from less than seven years to with the majority of those used construction material. replacement value of £77.5B, more than one hundred years either to make concrete (25%) Embankments and excavations and there are some 11250 km but replacement of any one or as fill (75%) to form form part of the surface of highways with 17,000 component can result in structures such as road, rail and transport networks including structures including 8,800 replacement of components that flood embankments and roads, rail and canals; are used bridges. Transport and utility have not reached the end of landscaping. Water, ground and to develop level sites; and to networks extend to about their economic life. This is fossil fuels in that order build flood embankments and 1.41m kilometres and include routine. Climate change and the water retaining structures. hubs such as railway stations move to a low carbon economy comprise the majority of materials society uses to The design of all of these (2,770), ports (60) and airports are introducing new concerns. structures depends on detailed (120) and major assets such as Climate change is a particular function. power stations, treatment plants issue for ground engineers since knowledge of the ground Understanding what is (11,500) and reservoirs the impact of rising ground conditions established from beneath our feet and how it investigations undertaken by (1,090). In addition to these water levels below certain cities, behaves is challenging but is competent professionals skilled infrastructure networks that rising sea levels and the increase fundamentally important in assessing the spatial variability connect and service in extreme events will impact on because of the value of the of the ground and how it will communities there is also the the stability of foundations, perform during and post infrastructure that supports slopes, embankments and other ground in providing energy, construction. These are supple- agriculture which includes some ground related structures. Some construction and manufacturing mented and informed by 400,000 ponds a source of 40% of the built environment resources and underpinning the geological and topographical water for irrigation. will have to be adapted for built environment. The most maps, borehole records, utility climate change over the next important technical risk in The Treasury splits assets into plans, mining and quarrying forty years. residential buildings, (valued at construction is the uncertainty of records, surface and sub surface £211B), commercial, industrial The value of the ground the ground. The most important surveys. and other buildings (£245B) works is unknown but given the risk in ground engineering is the Thus understanding the and civil engineering works amount of excavation for current shortage of qualified ground is critical to the success (£780B). Civil engineering works tunnels, cuttings and ground engineers.

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GROUND ENGINEERING – WHY IT MATTERS WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF GROUND ENGINEERING TO SOCIETY AND GOVERNMENT?

HISTORICAL the Chiltern Hills. The Secretary taken for granted. of State has announced the BACKGROUND However, the prospect of a preferred alignment recently that Let us take as an example, new development or will entail the design and travel and communication. Our infrastructure project in recent construction of increased lengths early ancestors would follow years has often created a public in tunnel rather than cutting a animal trails which developed outcry from mostly “Nimby” swathe through this into tracks, then turnpikes with protestors. environmentally sensitive the advent of horse transport. landscape. This poses some The social and economic These were then metalled in the interesting ground engineering benefits to society brought by an early part of the last century to problems that will need to be improved infrastructure and built take motorised traffic. Rodney Chartres resolved. environment are often Past Chair, Ground Forum Historically, if there was an event overlooked. such as a landslide or other PLACE IN TODAY’S geohazard encountered, the SOCIETY The impression of complete track would be re-routed. This desecration of the countryside by would have been at negligible Risk and failure are becoming large construction machinery and cost with little effect on the more and more unacceptable to occasional deposition of mud on surroundings. modern society. These concepts surrounding roads is a come at a price. fashionable image. The development of canals and railways led to these linear Perhaps the turning point and How many of us today routes following the best the awakening of such an complain about the M25 or that alignment through a valley. This approach in the United Kingdom the Channel Tunnel and its high has led to modern roads having to geohazards was the tragic speed railway link to London little choice logistically other than consequences of the failure of were constructed? The role of following a more difficult and the coal spoil tips above the ground engineer is to complex route from the ground Aberfan, South Wales, in minimise the impact of such engineering perspective. As the October 1966 with the deaths projects on the environment pressure on land has increased, of 144 people, including 119 whilst delivering a safe and cost economic and social factors children at the local school. effective solution. mostly dictate linear Following this tragedy, The Treasury and other infrastructure routes. Government made available the financial models indicate that the It was in 1959 that the first necessary funding for all spoil construction sector makes up section of the M1 motorway tips throughout the UK to be around ten per cent of the was opened between London investigated by ground United Kingdom’s Gross and Birmingham. The ground engineers. The tips that were Domestic Product. engineers had to deal with the found to be unstable were It is also recognised that geological conditions along this either removed or made safe between a quarter and a third of alignment with little deviation with continuing monitoring. a project’s construction costs are being possible. FINANCIAL BENEFIT to be found beneath the ground. The same applies to almost AND COST TO UK PLC This equates to about 2-3% of all other ground engineered GDP. This figure excludes open projects today. A topical example Ground engineering is to be cast mining, sand and gravel in the UK is the route of the found everywhere beneath our abstraction and the winning of High Speed Railway 2 through feet and is for the most part other minerals together with the

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challenges of the waste disposal BGS has been exceptional. This The entire utilities buried heat is being harvested from and recycling sectors that are work is the cornerstone of infrastructure requires constant beneath adjacent properties. Let heavily dependent on good current and future ground repair and modernisation. So us hope that the lawyers can ground engineering advice. The engineering and it is important much dates from the Victorian resolve this potential conflict and true value of ground engineering that sufficient funding is found in era and is now in urgent need that appropriate legislation can to the UK economy has not order for this work to continue of replacement. be introduced as a matter of been assessed accurately. and flourish. urgency. The ground engineering This summer will see severe profession certainly can meet In addition, it should be Following the offshore water shortages in the south the technical challenge. noted that the halting of a major earthquake in Japan in March and east of England at a level construction project has an 2011 and the effect of the not experienced since 1976. The In my time as Head of immediate effect on the local tsunami on two nuclear power role of the ground engineer to Geotechnics of the Property and national economies. plants, scrutiny has never been come up with innovative Services Agency it took more more stringent. Ground solutions such as the previously than two years for the Treasury The UK has a tradition of engineers have always played a proposed Craig Goch transfer Solicitor to deliberate prior to offering an innovative and key part in the design of the from Wales to the Thames permitting publication of a map quality engineering service substructure and foundations of catchment or other micro to show potential geohazards worldwide. The positive nuclear power facilities and the reservoir schemes is clear. In the throughout the UK. It was feared contribution made to our repositories that are required to meantime, the agricultural and that it might have blighted those overseas trade balance has store waste for long periods industrial sectors will suffer. properties and areas identified. been significant in the last thirty generated by this industry. We Quite the opposite has been the years. However, the competition are at the dawn of a massive LEGISLATION case. Let us hope that the from the Chinese ground construction programme within There is a number of ownership of ground source engineering community is the nuclear power sector. anomalies within the legislative heat can be resolved more increasing, particularly in the process that need addressing to quickly! field of minerals extraction and As a green alternative to ensure the continued its associated infrastructure in nuclear power, the use of wind CONCLUSION improvement and delivery of sub-Saharan Africa and South and tidal/wave energy has ground engineered projects. What a feeling of wonder America. expanded rapidly in the last few one gets on rising from the years. This is set to continue As a Borough Councillor, I Can UK plc afford to sit by Jubilee Line at Westminster with the challenges that need to have seen at first hand the and watch as our international Station on the journey to the be overcome in the designs for constraining effects of our competitors invest in educating surface via the various both offshore structural planning system. This is being ground engineers to the highest escalators. The scale and foundations on the seabed and examined as a part of the standards at their universities enormity of the massive struts on the peat that covers most of Government review. and train professional staff to be our remote upland moorland supporting this bold excavation An anomaly that needs in direct competition? locations in west Wales and adjacent to the Thames is there addressing is that structural Scotland. for all to see and appreciate. THE PRESENT AND THE engineer’s reports are asked for Portcullis House sits atop this FUTURE Tokyo and San Francisco lie as a matter of course for minor sophisticated infrastructure, in seismically active zones. Such The challenges being met residential extensions. supported on its six massive locations around the world lead today by ground engineers are Interestingly, detailed ground piles. This is a fine example of ground engineers to design increasingly more complex. engineering reports are rarely what good ground engineering more and more complex sought. The cumulative costs of has to offer modern society. Good ground engineering is structures in a quest to build in resulting foundation failures to dependent on the need for greater resilience against UK plc is significant, albeit accurate geological data that will earthquake damage. through insurance and other form the basis of any ground Hydrogen is recognised as a claims. model. We should not forget the likely replacement for oil to There is an abundant and vital role of the British Geological power road transport in the free source of geothermal heat Survey (BGS). It is not only future. Following electrolysis beneath our feet. This is custodian of our various rock from the night time power harvested in urban areas by the and soil collected material but capacity, the hydrogen will need installation of energy piles as also responsible for the to be distributed in liquid form part of the foundation system preparation of themed maps by pipelines to the consumers. for new and refurbished and the dissemination of This very low temperature buildings and structures. The geological information. transportation will open up new problem lies in the question of The advance of the use of challenges to be overcome the ownership of this heat 3D and other technologies at beneath the ground. source and the contention that

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GROUND ENGINEERING – WHY IT MATTERS TRAINING OF GROUND ENGINEERING PROFESSIONALS – How can UK provide skills required to maintain infrastructure?

The underground car park is strain properties of soils (led by nearly 20m deep and its Professor Jardine) and (2) the retaining walls come to within development of advanced 2.5m from the north edge of computer modelling techniques Westminster Hall and 10m of St (led at Imperial College by Stephens Tower. The retaining Professor David Potts). The walls were initially designed on outcome was a significant the basis that the clay was improvement in our ability to homogeneous and continuous predict ground movements and – standard practice at that time. their impacts on nearby However Professor Burland structures. John Burland examined the samples in detail Emeritus Professor of Soil This account of the work Mechanics, Imperial College and made the significant carried out on the New Palace London discovery that between a depth Yard car park illustrates a of 20m and 30m the London number of skills that are Clay contains thin layers of sand required of a competent ground and silt. This transformed the engineer: design of the project. Because strength and stiffness the ground water is in hydraulic parameters of the ground are 1. The knowledge and continuity with the River Thames known. At that time laboratory experience to investigate the there was a significant risk that, methods of determining such ground and ground water as excavation took place, water parameters were crude. We conditions at a site so as to would seep in horizontally analysed the movements that identify risks and uncertainties through the sand layers and had been observed around and to develop cost effective burst upwards into the other excavations in London. designs that minimise the risks. excavation, which would have The stiffness values derived in 2. Knowledge of the applied been catastrophic. The design this way were generally very Richard Jardine mechanics principles governing Professor of Geomechanics, was changed to eliminate this much higher than those the stiffness and strength of soils Imperial College London risk. obtained from routine laboratory and rocks that is far in advance tests. Accurate measurements of A key requirement of the of what can possibly be taught ground movement were made design of the underground car at undergraduate level. The Palace of Westminster has during construction. The park was to ensure that there been impacted by two major predictions were broadly in 3. Knowledge of the was no risk to the stability of the civil engineering projects, the agreement with the advanced experimental surrounding historic buildings underground car park in New measurements but there were techniques required for and that any damage was at Palace Yard in the 1970s and some subtle and important investigating the mechanical most superficial. This differences. properties of soils and rocks. the new Westminster Station necessitated the use of for the Jubilee Line Extension advanced computer modelling An intense programme of 4. An understanding of how in the 1990s. These can be of the excavation process – the research work was then carried to carry out and interpret used to illustrate the types of first time it had been used in out at Imperial College aimed at advanced numerical modelling skills required of a ground the UK. Such an analysis is (1) improving our ability to of ground engineering problems engineering professional. useless unless the appropriate measure accurately the stress- together with the limitations and

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pit-falls associated with such essential skill of good ground as contributing to the latest These courses have become modelling. engineering. developments in the Atlantic the backbone of UK geotechnics Frontier sites West of Shetlands profession and about half the 5. A knowledge of case Awareness of what the and new high capacity wind membership have an MSc, and histories and the lessons learned Romans could achieve, or of farm developments in Germany of those about half took their from them – an essential aspect Brunel and Bazalgette’s and other North sea sectors. The degree at Imperial College. of good ground engineering. achievements can make it economic impact of this work is Around 40% of Arup’s difficult for modern Civil The construction of the 40m huge. Major infrastructure geotechnical staff have an Engineers to convince others of deep new Westminster Station projects are taking place within Imperial MSc degree including the rate of advance in our beneath Portcullis House was a urban areas world-wide involving all six of the geotechnical subject, its complexity and its major civil engineering tunnelling and excavations. The directors. importance to the economy. But achievement. The sophisticated design methods of assessing there have been many big, The history and the product computer modelling that was and mitigating impacts on innovative and important is good, but what is happening carried out was informed by the buildings are based largely on developments over the last few now? The bad news is that measurements that had been the research work carried out decades and these require a student debt, four-year MEng made during the construction of within the UK. high ability, well trained cohort courses, the cancellation of the car park. Precise monitoring of specialised professionals to None of the above could Research Councils’ MSc support of movements of the clock carry this progress forward. have been done in the same schemes and the coming fee tower and the surrounding way 30 years ago. There is a hikes are wiping out the UK buildings was carried out under wealth of new knowledge being take-up of places at the top MSc the direction of Dr Jamie created by the universities and schools. We are now down to Standing of Imperial College. industry here and abroad. This 10% UK take up in the Imperial This demonstrates the key has to be disseminated in a geotechnics courses, and this role played by novel consistent and systematic way. will probably reduce further as geotechnical construction The knowledge transfer the fees bite. The courses are processes. For example, to mechanisms open to us include therefore principally training the reduce ground movements the academic papers (great for UK’s economic competitors. bottoms of the retaining walls of Research Excellence Framework Without financial support it For example, offshore the station box were propped by (REF), but not read or under- simply doesn’t make sense for Geotechnics has progressed struts constructed in tunnels stood by many practitioners), an able MEng graduate with a from working in a few 10s of before excavation commenced. short courses (important, but good degree and a good job, to metres of water to astounding Most importantly a novel really only trailers and taster quit, spend £30k and risk projects achieved at 2000m method of controlling the sessions), undergraduate possible unemployment just to depth or more. Academic settlement of the foundations of teaching which is inappropriate attain specialist skills that the research and engagement has the clock tower was developed. for the specialisms involved and Industry does not seem able to helped this significantly. The The method, known as finally specialist Masters Courses. reward. group at Imperial College has compensation grouting, consists provided contributions to many In our experience MSc Clearly, the UK industrial and in injecting cementitous grout of the major new deepwater courses have been the most educational governance system into the ground at chosen developments. These include for efficient means. They give us a has missed a very important locations beneath the example the Ormen Lange field, chance to really teach advanced trick. Decisions made to meet foundations so as to jack them offshore Norway, that provides a and specialised material in a the interest of our individual up in a controlled manner if any large part of the UK’s gas from broad context, and make sure research councils, student settlement takes place. The the rear scarp of a huge that the material is understood funding bodies, industries and technique was used very landslide that developed a by requiring testing examinations universities have all come successfully to control the tsunami 8,000 years ago that and coursework. The together to produce a perfect changes of inclination of the would devastate much of geotechnics MSc courses run at storm in which our future ability clock tower during the works – coastal NW Europe if it were to Imperial College contain all of to design, build and manage our a topic of considerable press be repeated in modern times. the elements described above. expensive infrastructure is at risk. speculation recently. This clearly required very careful, Moreover they are kept up to Our Civil Engineering work A geotechnical engineer advanced and specialist work. date by the latest research covers around 10% of the UK’s requires knowledge of the Our contributions have also findings, technical developments GDP, with energy supply adding various geotechnical processes been important in deepwater and notable engineering a further substantial segment of that have been developed in Gulf of Mexico projects (the projects. It has been our value. This is far too important recent years. Such processes events of 2010 make us all experience at Imperial College an economic issue to ignore. require careful monitoring and aware of the potential risks that a full year of ‘total control so that techniques of faced in that region), deepwater immersion’ is required for a monitoring form another Angola and elsewhere – as well student to gain most benefit.

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GROUND ENGINEERING – WHY IT MATTERS GROUND ENGINEERING IS EVERYWHERE – BUT GROUND ENGINEERS ARE IN SHORT SUPPLY What are the issues: What can we do?

There is an almost uniquely MSc courses in subjects that MEng/MSci courses to broad need for adequately would qualify as ground undertake a further year of study trained ground engineers within engineering. These courses are to obtain an MSc when they the construction industry. No continually under pressure and already hold a master’s degree. other construction sector is several have closed in the past This reluctance is involved in such a breadth of few years – including courses in compounded by financial project types as ground hydrogeology, even though this considerations for potential MSc engineers. This skills shortage is is an area of acute shortage. students. A survey by recognised by the Migration Some of the pressures come Birmingham University of Advisory Committee and has led from factors that affect all students who enrolled for a to at least sixteen ground university courses: the need to ground engineering MSc course engineering disciplines being diversify university income; the but withdrew before the course included on the Government’s Government-driven move began (‘non-arrivals’) revealed Shortage Occupation List ever towards research and research that finance was a significant since it was first established. funding; and the need to ensure factor. MSc course fees are that courses, even in specialist Provision of an adequate currently £4,000 to £5,000 and, areas, are financially self supply of locally-based ‘home while not employed, the supporting. grown’ ground engineers is students must also cover their Keith Gabriel essential if the United Kingdom Most taught MSc degree living costs. Many now graduate Past Chairman of The Ground is to stop relying on migrant courses require a minimum of from their first degree with Forum Director, Gabriel GeoConsulting Ltd professionals, but courses are 16 students in order to break substantial student debts which under threat because of budget even. In the past student they are reluctant to increase Dianne Jennings Ground Forum Secretary pressures in universities and the numbers were limited by a further. MSc courses are not economic crisis in the shortage of students completing eligible for government loans construction industry. UK-based first degrees in civil engineering and must be paid for 'at the students for the crucial MSc and geology. This problem has door' (ie: on arrival); unlike degrees are also in short supply been resolved to some extent in undergraduate courses there is because of the increasing cost recent years, to be replaced by no delayed payment option. This of courses, the recent new difficulties. In response to is the biggest problem as many withdrawal of funding by the other pressures a number of graduates simply do not have Research Councils, the level of universities now offer four-year the money available or cannot debt which most graduates now first degrees in civil engineering access bank loans (especially in accumulate, and competition leading to an MEng or a four- the current economic climate) to from other sectors. Against this year geology course leading to pay for MSc course fees. These background, representatives an MSci. Neither an MEng nor factors will intensify in the from academia and industry met an MSci contains sufficient coming years. The increase in Ivan Hodgson Chairman of The Ground Forum recently to consider: What are specialist content to produce a undergraduate tuition fees will Associate, URS the issues? What can we do? Ground Engineer of the calibre result in even greater student produced by a three-year first debt after 2015. Additionally, WHAT IS THE PROBLEM? degree and a specialist MSc. undergraduate tuition fees as There are currently 15 However, there is little incentive high as £9,000 a year will have universities in the UK offering for someone graduating from a knock on effect on

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postgraduate course fees which fastest means of achieving that THE FUTURE depends on industry, academia are expected to reach £12,000 transfer of knowledge because and government. The Ground A recent meeting brought from 2012. An early warning the students are back in industry Forum considers that the industry and academic about the effect that this might within one year. Government should reconsider representatives together and have was given by Leeds its current policy towards greatly enhanced understanding University who raised fees to PROBLEM SOLVED? funding of postgraduate training of the problems which each are £5,000 last year and Profit margins in the ground for Ground Engineering experiencing. experienced a 40% drop in engineering industry are typically professionals and in particular enrolments. less than 5%. This means that a But what can this achieve? the MSc courses. Funding bursary of £12,000 (enough for support for MSc degrees in Inclusion of at least sixteen • Industry and academia can an MSc course fee from 2012) ground engineering subjects ground engineering disciplines work together to ensure that requires turnover of around does not necessarily have to be on the Government’s Shortage courses meet the needs of £240,000. In some quarters, UK provided by the Research Occupation List has been a industry. Councils; it would seem huge help to the industry. Such construction is considered unduly • We can maximise the reasonable that the Government reliance on migrant expensive in comparison with effectiveness of industry departments which use ground professionals is not a long term other European countries. There support ‘in kind’. engineering expertise should solution however and the is little opportunity, even in normal provide the required support. industry has already found economic conditions, to increase • We can do our best to The total support required is various shortcomings with charge-out rates and hence profit increase the visibility and modest, in the order of £3 migrant ground engineers such margins; and in the current attractiveness of the sector to million per year (100 UK-based as an inability to write climate, with reduced rates to win potential students. students per year at an contractually sound technical work and keep staff employed, However, most companies estimated fully funded cost of reports in English, no familiarity increases are unthinkable. cannot, at the moment, increase £30,000). This would guarantee with UK ground conditions, only Since 2008 the turnover of salaries or recruitment, nor can that the UK has a sufficient staying in the UK long enough many geotechnical consultants they provide additional cash for Ground Engineering skills base to be trained and get experience and contractors has fallen bursaries because no spare cash for all normal circumstances. up to Senior level and then dramatically; margins have exists. Industry cannot alleviate going back home leaving us If even such modest full dropped (some are operating at the need for university courses with a shortage of experienced funding of these essential a loss), several medium-sized to be self-sustaining, although all senior technical management. courses is not feasible then piling contractors have closed parties are very concerned that if Government support could be Should industry be taking a down, and takeovers and student numbers fall any further provided through tax greater share of the financial mergers have increased. then the continuity of these concessions for employers who burden being faced by both Expenditure is constantly essential courses will be fund postgraduate training of universities and individuals? The scrutinised and cut (including, threatened. their professional staff and argument from university sadly, support for universities Over the past years the UK provision of affordable loans to authorities is that vocational and training); and graduate has had to import Ground postgraduate students on the training is not their responsibility; recruitment has been reduced Engineers to plug a gap in skills same basis as undergraduate and from elsewhere, including or stopped. and experience especially loans. Such measures would Government, that industry should Many companies already amongst experienced help to alleviate the supply pay for the skills it requires. Most supply ‘in kind’ support in the practitioners. The gap goes back problem. of industry agrees in principle, form of visiting lecturers, prizes, to the beginning of the 1990s provided Government recognises Current Government policy is work experience, research when recruitment dropped and that everyone needs Ground to reduce or eliminate reliance projects (and supervision) for candidates were snapped up by Engineers and therefore public on migrants from outside the MSc dissertations; research the City hungry for numerate expenditure must also play its EU so finding a new source of facilities; and personnel for and computer literate graduates. part. Two further factors are funding for locally-based research steering groups. Unless a solution can be found, relevant: students on taught MSc courses Additionally, even a well- there will be an even greater in ground engineering has the 1. Government agencies and qualified MSc graduate requires skills shortage in 10 years time potential to resolve two local government have been further training in order to that will extend indefinitely into problems simultaneously. The estimated to be the client for up develop in their career to the future. one certain conclusion is that to 40% of all ground chartered status and beyond. For It is not only the construction doing nothing will result in a engineering work, and most companies commitment to CPD represents a significant industry that needs Ground disastrous shortage of ground 2. Government supports investment in terms of staff Engineers – the country needs engineers in the UK and an knowledge transfer from time, cost of courses and Ground Engineers. This is a even greater reliance on migrant academia to industry; taught provision of training officers and problem that requires a professionals. MSc degrees are one of the mentors. sustainable solution, and this

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SCHMALLENBERG VIRUS – KILLER IN THE WOMB

This time last year few knew of the German town and no one had heard of the virus. Not so now. So where did it come from, how did it get here, why is it a problem, and what is likely to happen next?

WHERE DID IT COME followed by other European attention because of a mutation FROM AND HOW DID IT countries, with more reports of that enables it to cause fetal GET HERE? infection in Germany and also in abnormalities, or one that Belgium, UK, France, Italy, Spain causes undiagnosed problems Throughout late summer and and Luxembourg. A few cases in in less developed parts of the autumn of 2011, farmers and goats have also been reported world and has now spread? Professor S P Borriello veterinarians in northwest Chief Executive, Veterinary on the continent. Medicines Directorate Germany, and in the Analysis of the genetic make- Netherlands reported an How the Schmallenberg virus up of the virus means we can unidentified disease in dairy appeared in Europe is unknown, identify the family to which it cattle, consisting of fever, though it is most likely to have belongs (Bunyaviridae) and the decreased milk production, and been introduced either by an genus (Orthobunyavirus). We diarrhoea. In October 2011, an infected animal and transmitted also know that it is closely investigation of such a case in by infected midges, or directly related to other viruses in that dairy cows in the small German by infected midges from abroad. genus, which were first town of Schmallenberg finally For England, the most likely described in Japan (Akabane, yielded a novel virus that was route of introduction was by Aino and Shamonda), which related to a number of exotic infected midges arriving from cause infection in livestock, and viruses that also caused birth Northern Europe aided by probably originated in Africa. defects and were known to be prevailing winds. It is estimated transmitted by insects. German that the virus first arrived here THE CURRENT Professor Trevor Drew scientists spread the word about during the summer or autumn SITUATION IN THE UK Head of Virology, Animal Health their findings and continued to of last year. and Veterinary Laboratory Agency. At present cases have only monitor cases and were A more interesting question been detected in the South of particularly concerned when, in is the origin of the virus. Is it a England, as of mid-April 243 December 2011, they detected known virus that has simply farms located in 24 counties are the virus in a stillborn calf. been given a different name, a known to be affected. The most Scientists all over Europe, variant of a virus that has until severely affected counties are including the Animal Health and now been harmless to Kent, East Sussex and West Veterinary Laboratories Agency mammals and only came to our Sussex with 42, 41 and 38 (AHVLA) in the UK, set up diagnostic capability and the TABLE 1: CONFIRMED CASES OF SCHMALLENBERG Netherlands soon reported the VIRUS IN EUROPE virus in cases of malformed COUNTRY CATTLE SHEEP GOATS TOTAL aborted lambs, as well as in calves. They were quickly England 28 215 - 243 Belgium 195 167 2 364 France 104 1058 12 1174 Germany 293 840 45 1178 . . . Analysis of the genetic make-up of Italy 1-12 the virus means we can identify the Luxembourg 65112 Netherlands 148 107 6 261 family to which it belongs . . . Spain -1-1 TOTAL 775 2393 67 3235

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Europe to become a new become re-infected next spring, . . . Of 619 reported likely cases endogenous infection? Is a but could survive over the winter where there has been clear vaccine needed and can an in the midges themselves. We effective vaccine be easily need to find out whether other laboratory diagnostic confirmation, produced? Are there other ways biting insects, like mosquitoes the virus can be transmitted? 39% were positive . . . are also involved, or if infected Fortunately, it is now animals can spread disease just considered very unlikely that by contact. We also don’t know affected farms each. Of the birth, due to the longer humans are at risk. Reassurance how long immunity in sheep or remaining counties 13 have less gestation. comes from the fact that very cattle (or other ruminants) lasts, than five affected farms; four few of the relatives of the virus and if such immunity would WHY IS IT A PROBLEM? cause disease to humans and have between five and ten protect fetuses. If there is good despite heightened awareness affected farms, and four have The most obvious problem of long-lasting protective immunity and opportunity for exposure, between 10 and 21 affected course is that it causes loss of following natural infection, this along with some monitoring for farms. life in utero and birth would help reduce the number evidence of exposure, no human deformities, with economic The figures have to be cases (or other cases other than of cases, and may already have consequences and disrupting treated with caution for a in ruminants) of this virus have done. Husbandry practice could replenishment of livestock. The number of reasons. Firstly, there been found. Interestingly this is be tailored to maximise this deformed fetus can damage the is no single absolute method of not because the virus cannot effect. However, it is likely that dam at birthing, particularly as a diagnosis, and even though the grow in the laboratory in cells areas less affected or unaffected consequence of deformed figures for England are based on from other species. Evidently, limbs. Although symptoms in by the disease could be a molecular method which inability to infect other animals is adult animals are very mild, vulnerable next year, particularly detects the nucleic acid of the not due to a lack of virus there may be a drop in milk on the borders of the area virus (and thought to be the receptors on the cells (viruses production in dairy cattle. where disease has occured this most sensitive and specific test must bind to and enter cells in Farmers also have to employ year. Reliance on such an currently available), we know of order to hijack the host cell’s more staff to assist in lambing approach would be less effective some cases that fit all of the machinery to replicate itself). case definitions for this infection and calving, also often incurring than a vaccine, though if and have all of the expected extra costs if a vet needs to be The pattern of cases will required it is unlikely to be histological features at post- called. Compounding the change as the lambing season available until next year other mortem investigation, but which economic problem is anxiety closes, and as calving occurs later than for emergency use. There amongst unaffected countries are negative in the molecular than lambing, an increase in is a good precedence for a leading to eight suspending infected calves is expected. It will test. Secondly, we must vaccine to this virus in that an imports of ruminants (and in be interesting to see whether a remember we are looking at an effective vaccine has been some cases also pigs) from few cases occur in the less infection that actually occurred produced for Akabane virus, a last year – we are only seeing affected countries. Though the commonly farmed ruminants close relative. the effects today. For lambs, the US has not stopped importation such as deer and whether new virus survives the pregnancy of live animals, it has suspended world camelids, such as alpacas, This is a rapidly unfolding period, but for cattle, with a importation of European source are also susceptible. What is less story, exemplifying the rapid embryos and semen, as have longer pregnancy period, the clear is the extent to which this progress that can now be made some other countries. disease is now established and virus has often disappeared by in identifying new causes of will become part of the usual the time of birth. Thirdly, the disease, developing diagnostic WHAT’S NEXT? endemic diseases profile in the disease is not notifiable, so there tools, characterising the new is no obligation to report. Although much has been UK. We now know that the biting pathogen, and developing However, the number of learnt about the virus in a very midges normally resident in the interventions, made possible by submitted samples strongly short period of time, it remains UK can likely transmit the virus, new technological advances. It is indicates a willingness to report the case that there is more we and that the virus can most likely also a reminder of the continual presumed cases. Of 619 don’t know than there is that we establish in midges, meaning reported likely cases where do know. Can it infect humans? that the virus doesn’t have to threat of new pathogens and there has been clear laboratory What explains the current host survive in animals for midges to how much we still don’t know. diagnostic confirmation, 39% range for the virus? Will sheep were positive, showing a high that have been infected attain . . . less clear is the extent to which level of submission of suspected an immunity that will protect this disease is now established and (but negative) cases (61%). For against fetal infection in the affected calves, laboratory future? Will the virus survive the will become part of the usual endemic confirmation is more difficult as winter in some way and the the virus has disappeared by disease become established in diseases profile. . .

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EXAMINING THE STRATEGY FOR UK LIFE SCIENCES Report of a Meeting of the All Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) for Life Sciences held on 1st March 2012 Chairman: Penny Mordaunt MP

In early December 2011 the Government launched the spoke about the important Open Data: Mr Brinsmead ‘Strategy for UK Life Sciences’, aimed at providing vital support progress that will be made with spoke about the ‘UK Biobank’, for the Life Sciences industries in the UK with an ambition to improved NICE appraisals on which has already established implement the strategy in full by the end of 2012. To medical technology and the use the UK as an international leader. understand what progress has been made towards achieving of adaptive licensing in areas of It has over 0.5m people aged these aims so far, the APPG on Life Sciences invited the unmet medical need, where between 40-69 involved in the Government’s three life sciences advisers to update members ‘Early Access Schemes’ are to be programme. He then spoke of the group. The meeting was well attended with a strong introduced, enabling access to about plans included in the presence from industry and the third sector. selected treatments at the end Strategy for UK Life Sciences to of Phase 2 clinical research. improve the connections George Freeman MP, as the highlighting the five sectors in between hospital and GP data. Government’s Business Adviser the South East that had already NHS Innovation: The on Life Sciences, provided an started working together. He Government has recognised that Internationalisation: Finally, overview of the ambitions of the spoke about how Translational procurement of innovation within Mr Brinsmead spoke about how initiative and how it had been Research Partnerships (TRPs) the NHS is crucial to supporting one of the most important developed. He spoke about the under the NIHR Office for the Life Sciences industry in the aspects of the Strategy will be to key elements of the venture Clinical Research Infrastructure UK. Chris Brinsmead highlighted make the global pharmaceutical capital fund which aims to (NOCRI) were an important and the important role of the report community aware of the UK bridge the ‘Valley of Death’ and successful new initiative in ‘Innovation: Health and Wealth’ Government’s commitment to provide a much needed life-line bringing together academia and in supporting the industry in the supporting this sector. He said to companies which may UK, which had been launched at industry, but that more the Foreign Office and the UK otherwise not succeed. The the same time as the Strategy improvements still needed to be Trade and Industry (UKTI) Branch newly appointed ‘Life Sciences for UK Life Sciences. He spoke made in this relationship. are already undertaking extensive Champions’ – Professor Sir John about how the NHS is still not work to promote the role of the Bell and Chris Brinsmead – then Fiscal Incentives: The using medicines recommended UK in the life sciences sector. He spoke about the five key ‘Catalyst Fund’ was identified by for use by NICE, but this report admitted that the UK had a elements of the initiative and Professor Bell as one of the key marked a commitment to limited appeal in being only 3% the progress that had been elements to overcoming the achieve this. He also spoke of the international market, but made in each area, as follows: ‘Valley of Death’. Significant about how the NHS needs to the role of the Life Sciences announcements in this area are stop spending money on Collaboration and Champions and others was to expected during 2012. Professor outdated practices but that this Partnerships: Collaborative work promote the value the UK brings Bell spoke about how the report marked a significant was described as a ‘central part in research and development. catalyst fund will help provide of the story’ and aimed to open change in the understanding of leg room for private funding and up the most powerful academic the leadership of the NHS in The Chair then opened the research places. Professor Bell will have a significant impact for how they should be responding meeting to guests and members. spoke about how the previous smaller companies. He also to this challenge. The Life Sciences Champions Government had grown research funding, and this Government had maintained it . . . the catalyst fund will help provide leg room for private despite the recession. Professor Bell spoke about how new funding and will have a significant impact for smaller initiatives were encouraging companies. . . academic institutions to start working together effectively,

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made the following guest that the main conversation observations: between industry and the . . . the role of the Life Sciences frontline of the NHS was the - When asked about need to save money on supplier implementation of the strategy Champions and others was to costs. In addition there was they confirmed that Ministers significant tension between promote the value the UK brings in were expecting a report on primary and secondary care and progress by the end of 2012, research and development. . . no joined up approach to with an interim report to the investing in services. In Prime Minister by mid-2012. response, the Life Sciences Implementation was a key Champions agreed that these concern about the strategy and - Concerns were raised by a being taken. In response were key challenges within the was part of the role of the Life Professor Bell said that it was NHS and that a short term guest about the uneasy dynamic Sciences Champions to ensure it important that access to Real approach within the NHS was a between collaboration and would be achieved. World Data be improved and significant challenge, as was competition and asked where brought together at the earliest - The comment was made siloed budgeting. It was the Research Excellence opportunities. He added that the that the UK is becoming important to make sure that the Framework (REF) system fits hurdles posed by the cost of increasingly irrelevant to global constant approach to these within the ambitions to improve Phase 3 trials was so significant companies and that slow challenges would be to continue collaboration. Professor Bell that even small amounts of adoption of innovation was to seek a way to address these responded that the previous funding will help. Mr Brinsmead having a major impact on this. challenges. system siloed people and The Life Sciences Champions caused competition and the REF commented that there is - The comment was made responded that this was the key is a step forward in changing currently a period of change and that innovation should not be challenge, but that significant this. He spoke about how grant that it must be realised that viewed as an annual cost, but progress had been made in funders do understand this Governments currently do not that budgeting should be getting the NHS to agree. It was change. Professor Bell felt there have deep pockets but that it is decided over a longer term basis was a significant lever in the important that the value of increased availability of funding innovation is recognised as we . . . many of the NHS costs are not that will be available if groups progress. work collaboratively. He In closing the meeting, Penny related to Life Sciences . . . admitted that academics in the Mordaunt MP commented that UK were very competitive but it is essential that industry and that there had been a change to added that the introduction of as the savings can only really other relevant sectors continue the tone of this in recent years. to make their voice heard as this NICE assessments had added to come into place over a 5-10 programme progresses. this, but that all other European year period. In response, - It was highlighted that the countries would begin to Professor Bell made the Strategy for UK Life Sciences The next APPG on Life introduce cost-effectiveness comment that in the had acknowledged a specific Sciences will examine the decisions in a short period of commercial sector innovation is interpretation of innovation and progress in implementing the time. introduced to reduce costs but that this agenda should be ‘Innovation: Health/Wealth’ joined up with the initiative. This meeting will be - It was agreed that health in the NHS they layer innovation Government’s agenda for Value held in October 2012. economic assessment through on top of existing cost. He also Based Pricing (VBP), with the NICE had been previously a spoke about how many of the This meeting report has same interpretation being used concern to industry but that NHS costs are not related to Life been provided by AS Advocacy across Government. Mr there was a realisation that it is Sciences – for example the cost who provide secretariat support Brinsmead agreed that this was now a reality of the UK market; of the work force. Mr Brinsmead to the APPG on Life Sciences important and said that work however, the slow uptake spoke about how it is important was going on to achieve this. continued to be a concern. that the NHS now implements The additional point was made Many treatments (60%) do not the ‘Innovation: Health and that societal benefits that may go through the NICE process Wealth’ report quickly and that be considered under VBP only and the NHS needs to assess there is a demonstrable change come to fruition after treatments the ‘healthcare bill’ rather than as a result of this report; had been used for some time just the ‘medicines bill’. however, this would not be and that this must be - It was highlighted by a possible overnight. considered in the decisions

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HOUSE OF COMMONS SELECT COMMITTEE ON SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

The Science and Technology CURRENT INQUIRIES Cowley OBE, Chief Executive, Nominet; James Committee is established under Brokenshire MP, Parliamentary Under-Secretary of Standing Order No. 152, and charged with the scrutiny of the Science in the Met Office State for Crime and Security, Home Office. expenditure, administration and On 19 July 2011 the Committee announced an policy of the Government Office for The written evidence is on the Committee’s inquiry into Science in the Met Office. Science, a semi-autonomous website. The Committee’s Report was published organisation based within the Department for Business, On 26 October 2011 the Committee took on 2 February 2012. Innovation and Skills. evidence from: Professor Paul Hardaker, Chief Engineering in Government: follow-up Executive, Royal Meteorological Society, Professor The current members of the On 14 September 2011 the Committee Science and Technology Committee Ed Hill OBE, Director, National Oceanography are: Centre, and Professor Alan Thorpe, Director announced an inquiry following its predecessor’s Caroline Dinenage (Conservative, inquiry into Engineering in Government. Gosport), Gareth Johnson General, European Centre for Medium-Range (Conservative, Dartford), Stephen Weather Forecasts. On 7 December 2011 the Committee took Metcalfe (Conservative, South Basildon and East Thurrock), On 2 November 2011 the Committee took evidence from: Chris Aylett, Chief Executive, Andrew Miller (Labour, Ellesmere evidence from: Nick Baldwin, Independent Motorsport Industry Association, and Philip Port and Neston), Stephen Mosley Greenish, Chief Executive, Royal Academy of (Conservative, City of Chester), Chairman, Public Weather Service Customer Pamela Nash (Labour, Airdrie and Group, Professor Sir Brian Hoskins CBE, Chair, Met Engineering. Shotts), Sarah Newton (Conservative, Truro and Falmouth), Office Science Advisory Council, and Professor On 14 December 2011 the Committee took Jonathan Reynolds (Labour/Co- John Pyle, Chair, Hadley Centre Science Review evidence from: Sir John Beddington, Government operative, Stalybridge and Hyde), Group; Phil Evans, Government Services Director, Graham Stringer (Labour, Blackley Chief Scientific Adviser. and Broughton), Hywel Williams John Hirst, Chief Executive, and Professor Julia The written evidence is on the Committee’s (Plaid Cymru, Arfon) and Roger Slingo OBE, Chief Scientist, Met Office. Williams (Liberal Democrat, Brecon website. A Report is being prepared. and Radnorshire). On 9 November 2011 the Committee took The Census and social science Andrew Miller was elected by the evidence from: Edward Davey MP, Minister for House of Commons to be the Chair Employment Relations, Consumer and Postal Affairs, On 9 November 2011 the Committee of the Committee on 9 June 2010. Department for Business, Innovation and Skills. announced an inquiry into The Census and social The remaining Members were science. formally appointed to the The written evidence is on the Committee’s Committee on 12 July 2010. On 7 December 2011 the Committee took Caroline Dinenage, Gareth Johnson, website. The Committee’s Report was published Sarah Newton and Hywel Williams on 21 February 2012. evidence from: Professor David Blane, Deputy were formally appointed on 27 Director, ESRC International Centre for Life Course February 2012 in the place of Gavin Malware and Cyber-crime Barwell, Gregg McClymont, Stephen Studies, Professor Heather Joshi, President, McPartland and David Morris. On 19 July 2011 the Committee announced an Society for Lifecourse and Longitudinal Studies, inquiry into Malware and Cyber-crime. and Professor Les Mayhew, City University.

On 9 November 2011 the Committee took On 14 December 2011 the Committee took evidence from: Dr Richard Clayton, Senior evidence from: Professor Tim Allen, Local Research Assistant, University of Cambridge, Government Association, Aleks Collingwood, Professor Peter Sommer, Visiting Professor in the Joseph Rowntree Foundation, Professor David Department of Management, London School of Martin, Royal Statistical Society, and Professor Phil Economics, and Dr Michael Westmacott, BCS, The Rees, Royal Geographical Society; Adrian Alsop, Chartered Institute for IT, but also representing Director of Research and International Strategy, Royal Academy of Engineering & Institution of and Jeremy Neathey, Deputy Director of Policy, Engineering and Technology. Economic and Social Research Council, Glen On 14 November 2011 the Committee took Watson, Census Director, and Peter Benton, evidence from: Gordon Morrison, Director of Deputy Director, Office for National Statistics. Defence and Security, Intellect, Janet Williams, On 18 January 2012 the Committee took Deputy Assistant Commissioner, Charlie McMurdie, evidence from: Richard Bartholomew, and Jenny Detective Superintendent, Head of Police Central Dibden, Joint Heads of the Government Social e-Crime Unit, Metropolitan Police, and Lesley Research Service.

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The written evidence is on the Committee’s website. A Report is The Committee expects to hold a further oral evidence session being prepared. in June. The written evidence is on the Committee’s website.

Risk perception and energy infrastructure Bridging the “valley of death”: improving the commercialisation On 9 November 2011 the Committee announced an inquiry of research into Risk perception and energy infrastructure. On 16 December 2011 the Committee announced an inquiry: Bridging the “valley of death”: improving the commercialisation of On 18 January 2012 the Committee took evidence from: research. Andrew Bloodworth, Head of Science - Minerals and Waste, British Geological Survey, Professor Nick Pidgeon, Director of On 18 April 2012 the Committee took evidence from: Professor Understanding Risk Programme, Cardiff University, and Professor Luke Georghiou, Vice-President (Research and Innovation), David Spiegelhalter, Royal Statistical Society. University of Manchester, Dr Paul Nightingale, Science and Technology Policy Research, University of Sussex, David Connell, On 25 January 2012 the Committee took evidence from: Tracey Senior Research Fellow, Centre for Business Research/UK Brown, Managing Director, Sense about Science, Fiona Fox, Director, Innovation Research Centre, Judge Business School, University of Science Media Centre, and Mark Henderson, former Science Editor, Cambridge, and Dr Douglas Robertson, Chair, Praxis-Unico. The The Times; Bob Brown, Corporate Director, Sedgemoor District Committee also heard from: Dr Ted Bianco, Director of Technology Council, Richard Mayson, Director of Planning and External Affairs Transfer, Wellcome Trust, Dr Ian Tomlinson, Senior Vice President, for Nuclear New Build, EDF Energy, and Dr Rick Wylie, Executive Head of Worldwide Business Development and Biopharmaceuticals Director, Applied Policy Sciences Unit, University of Central R&D, GlaxoSmithKline, Dr David Tapolczay, Chief Executive Officer, Lancashire. Medical Research Council Technology, Dr Gareth Goodier, Chair, On 1 February 2012 the Committee took evidence from: Dr Shelford Group (Chief Executives of ten leading Academic Medical Paul Leinster, Chief Executive, Environment Agency, Dr Jill Meara, Centres and large teaching hospitals); Chief Executive, Cambridge Deputy Director of the Centre for Radiation, Chemical and University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, and Dr Andy Richards, Environmental Hazards, Health Protection Agency, Geoffrey Podger, Serial biotechnology entrepreneur and business angel. Chief Executive, Health and Safety Executive, and Dr Mike The Committee will announce dates for future evidence Weightman, HM Chief Inspector of Nuclear Installations and sessions. The written evidence is on the Committee’s website. Executive Head of the Office for Nuclear Regulation. Medical implants On 19 March 2012 the Committee took evidence from: Charles Hendry MP, Minister of State for Energy, and Professor David On 26 March 2012 the Committee announced an inquiry: Mackay, Chief Scientific Advisor, Department of Energy and Climate Regulation of medical implants. Written submissions on the Change. following issues were invited by 26 April:

The written evidence is on the Committee’s website. A Report is 1. Are current legislation and regulations on safety and efficacy being prepared. of medical implants fit for purpose?

Science and international development 2. How effectively does the MHRA implement the Directive in the UK? On 11 November 2011 the Committee announced an inquiry into Science and international development. 3. How could the legislation and regulations be improved?

On 1 February 2012 the Committee took evidence from: 4. How could the European Commission ensure that potential Professor Graham Furniss, Chair of the Africa Panel, British changes to the Medical Devices Directive do not hinder the Academy, Professor Peter Guthrie OBE, Fellow, Royal Academy of introduction of innovations in medical implants to the market? Engineering, Professor Robert Souhami CBE, Foreign Secretary, The Committee will announce dates for evidence sessions. The Academy of Medical Sciences, and Dr Beth Taylor, Director of written evidence received will be available on the Committee’s Communications and External Relations, Institute of Physics. website. On 8 February 2012 the Committee took evidence from: Professor Anthony Costello, Professor of International Child Health ORAL EVIDENCE and Director, UCL Institute for Global Health, Dr John Kirkland, The transcripts of the evidence sessions described above and Deputy Secretary General, Association of Commonwealth below are available on the Science and Technology Committee’s Universities, Professor Melissa Leach, Director, STEPS Centre, and website [www.parliament.uk/science]. Professor Andrew Westby, Director, Natural Resources Institute, Pre-appointment hearing with the Chair-elect of the University of Greenwich. Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council On 22 February 2012 the Committee took evidence from: Dr Jo On 7 March 2012 the Committee took evidence from Dr Paul Beall, Director Education and Society, British Council, Kate O'Shea, Golby, Chair-elect of the Engineering and Physical Sciences Deputy Director, UK Collaborative on Development Sciences, Sir Research Council. Mark Walport, Director, Wellcome Trust, and John Young, Director of Impact Assessment, Partnerships and Head of the RAPID Programme, Overseas Development Institute.

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REPORTS FURTHER INFORMATION Malware and cyber crime Further information about the work of the Science and On 2 February 2012, the Committee published its Twelfth Technology Committee or its current inquiries can be obtained from Report of Session 2010-12, Malware and cyber crime, HC 1537. the Clerk of the Committee, Stephen McGinness, or from the Senior Committee Assistant, Darren Hackett, on 020 7219 Science in the Met Office 2792/2793 respectively; or by writing to: The Clerk of the On 21 February 2012, the Committee published its Thirteenth Committee, Science and Technology Committee, House of Report of Session 2010-12, Science in the Met Office, HC 1538. Commons, 7 Millbank, London SW1P 3JA. Enquiries can also be e-mailed to [email protected]. Anyone wishing to be Pre-appointment hearing with the Government’s preferred included on the Committee’s mailing list should contact the staff of candidate for Chair of the Engineering and Physical Sciences the Committee. Anyone wishing to submit evidence to the Research Council Committee is strongly recommended to obtain a copy of the On 9 March 2012, the Committee published its Fourteenth guidance note first. Guidance on the submission of evidence can Report of Session 2010-12, Pre–appointment hearing with the be found at www.parliament.uk/commons/selcom/witguide.htm. Government’s preferred candidate for Chair of the Engineering The Committee has a website, www.parliament.uk/science, where and Physical Sciences Research Council, HC 1871. all recent publications, terms of reference for all inquiries and press GOVERNMENT RESPONSE notices are available. Government Response to the Science and Technology Committee report ‘Alcohol guidelines’ On 26 March 2012, the Department of Health published the Government and Response to the Committee’s Report on Alcohol guidelines, Cm 8329.

HOUSE OF LORDS SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY SELECT COMMITTEE

The members of the Committee Higher Education in Science, Technology, The role and function of departmental Chief (appointed 22 June 2010) are Lord Engineering and Maths (STEM) subjects Scientific Advisers (CSAs) Broers, Lord Crickhowell, Lord Cunningham of Felling, Baroness In September 2011, the Select Committee In July 2011, the Committee launched an Hilton of Eggardon, Lord Krebs appointed a Sub-Committee, under the inquiry into the role and function of Chief (Chairman), Baroness Neuberger, Lord Patel, Baroness Perry of chairmanship of Lord Willis of Knaresborough, to Scientific Advisers. The inquiry looked at a Southwark, Lord Rees of Ludlow, the conduct an inquiry into higher education in STEM number of aspects concerning the role of CSAs Earl of Selborne, Lord Wade of subjects. The inquiry will consider how the UK including: the ability of CSAs to provide Chorley, Lord Warner, Lord Willis of Knaresborough and Lord Winston. can ensure that the supply of graduates in STEM independent advice to ministers and policy Lord Jenkin of Roding and Lord subjects meets current and future needs, looking makers; the extent of their influence over Oxburgh were co-opted to the at 16-18 supply, undergraduate and postgraduate research spend; and their role in providing Committee for the purposes of its inquiry into nuclear research and education and at what can be learnt from the independent challenge and ensuring that development capabilities and experience of other countries. Oral evidence departmental policies are evidenced-based. The Baroness Sharp of Guildford has sessions began in December and finished in April Committee took oral evidence from October to been co-opted for the science and heritage inquiry. Lord Lucas of 2012. It is anticipated that the Committee will December and published their report on 29 Crudwell and Dingwall has been co- report in the summer, 2012. February 2012. The report will be debated in the opted to Sub-Committee 1 for the House in the forthcoming session following purposes of the inquiry on Higher Science and Heritage Follow-up Education in STEM subjects. receipt of the Government’s response. In December 2011, the Select Committee Membership of the Committee will launched a short follow-up inquiry to its report Nuclear research and development be subject to change at the beginning capabilities of the next session in May. Please into science and heritage in session 2005-06. check the Committee’s website for The Committee wrote to Government and In March 2011, the Select Committee further information. contributors to the original inquiry to provide an launched an inquiry to investigate whether the update of developments since the original report UK’s nuclear research and development (R&D) in 2006 and the update in October 2007. Oral capabilities are sufficient to meet its future evidence sessions were held from February until nuclear energy requirements to 2050. March 2012. The Committee will report in May.

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The inquiry focused on what the Government should be doing if behaviour change interventions are evidence-based and subject to they are to ensure that the UK’s R&D capabilities are sufficient. It robust evaluation, and how such interventions are coordinated examined the R&D implications of scenarios up to 2050 and across departments. The Committee also looked at the role of whether the UK has adequate R&D capabilities, including industry and the voluntary sector in shaping behaviour patterns and infrastructure, to meet its needs for a safe and secure supply of the social and ethical issues surrounding behaviour change nuclear energy. interventions by government. The inquiry included two case studies, one on obesity and the other on reducing car use in towns. The The report was published on 22 November 2011 and the Committee published its report on 19 July 2011. The Government Government response was received on 17 February 2012. It will be response was published on 15 September. The report will be debated in the House in the forthcoming session. debated in the House in the forthcoming session. Behaviour change policy interventions FURTHER INFORMATION In June 2010, the Committee appointed a Sub-Committee, under the chairmanship of Baroness Neuberger, to conduct an The written and oral evidence to the Committee’s inquiries, as inquiry into the effectiveness of behaviour change interventions in well as the Calls for Evidence and other documents can be found achieving government policy goals and helping to meet societal on the Committee’s website www.parliament.uk/hlscience. Further challenges. information about the work of the Committee can be obtained from Rachel Newton, Policy Analyst, [email protected] or 020 The Committee considered the current state of knowledge about 7219 2491. The Committee’s email address is which interventions are effective, whether the Government’s current [email protected].

PARLIAMENTARY OFFICE OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY (POST)

RECENT POST PUBLICATIONS Biotechnology Patents February 2012 POSTnote 401 Open Access to Scientific Information In October 2011, the European Court of Justice banned patents January 2012 POSTnote 397 for inventions involving stem cells derived from embryos. This The internet has transformed the nature of scientific research, highlighted some of the challenges the patent system faces when opening up new ways to collect, use and disseminate scientific assessing biomedical inventions. This POSTnote considers how information. This has led to increased demand for access. Open patent law is applied to biomedical inventions and examines the Access (OA) to scientific journal publications means making them potential impact on patient access to diagnostic tests and innovation. available online, rather than charging readers. OA to research data means making research data more widely available for use by Resilience to Natural Hazards in Developing Nations others. February 2012 POSTnote 402 In the last 10 years, over 500,000 people have lost their lives Solar Photovoltaics and around 1.5 billion people have been adversely affected due to January 2012 POSTnote 398 rapid-onset natural hazards such as earthquakes, tsunami, floods Solar power can provide low carbon electricity. This discusses the and tropical storms. development of solar power in the UK and summarises debate over feed-in tariffs – financial support policies introduced in 2010 to Low Carbon Technologies in Energy Intensive Industries stimulate take-up. February 2012 POSTnote 403 Energy-intensive industries such as chemicals, paper, ceramics, Measuring Energy Security cement, iron and steel are responsible for 45% of carbon emissions January 2012 POSTnote 399 from businesses and the public sector in the UK. This discusses Security is a central aim of energy policy. In the 2010 Strategic carbon dioxide (CO2) abatement technologies for these industries Defence and Security Review, the government said it would and policies to support their adoption. strengthen delivery of energy security by “more robust reporting and monitoring”. This explores ways in which energy security may be Livestock Super Farms measured for monitoring purposes. March 2012 POSTnote 404 UK dairy and pig farmers have recently put forward plans to Climate Variability and Weather establish very large livestock facilities. Such proposals are February 2012 POSTnote 400 controversial. This examines the issues surrounding intensification of Short-term differences from long-term climate, or “climate livestock production in the UK. variability”, can increase the risk of extreme weather events. This Impacts of Video Games examines the causes of climate variability and the use of climate March 2012 POSTnote 405 models to predict these variations. There is debate surrounding the impact of violent video games on behaviour. This POSTnote summarises the key aspects of the

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discussion, and other impacts of gaming such as addiction. It collaboration with the Science and Technology Facilities Council. examines the educational use of games, and reviews mechanisms About 50 participants from a wide range of organisations took part. to ensure children’s game safety. The results were then reported and examined collectively. A summary will be placed on POST’s website. Personalised Cancer Treatments March 2012 POSTnote 406 Parliament Talks.... Science Recent advances in diagnostics and therapeutics can make the On 15th March, POST took part in an event discussing science in treatment of cancer more personalised. This POSTnote discusses the Parliament as part of National Science and Engineering Week. application of these technologies in the NHS and the challenges Organised by Parliamentary Outreach and held at the University of involved in providing such treatments. Leeds, the seminar featured four talks and a discussion session for an audience of around 100. The speakers were Lord Willis, Member Consumer Genetic Testing of the Lords Science and Technology Committee; Lord Oxburgh, March 2012 POSTnote 407 Member of the POST Board; Xameerah Malik, Committee Specialist DNA sequencing is getting faster and cheaper. This has paved the for the House of Commons Science and Technology Committee; way for the development of genetic tests for predisposition to and Dr Stephen Allen, Energy Adviser at POST. diseases. These are now being marketed directly to consumers over the internet. This POSTnote explores the scientific, regulatory, and STAFF, FELLOWS AND INTERNS AT POST ethical issues related to such tests. Fellows Seeking Sustainability Dr Stuart Basten, Oxford University, Oxford University March 2012 POSTnote 408 Gemma Cassells, Edinburgh University, Natural Environment This POSTnote summarises issues in defining and achieving Research Council sustainability. Dr Craig Childs, University College London, University College CURRENT WORK London Elena Kazamia, Cambridge University, Natural Environment Research Biological Sciences – Review of Stem Cell Research, HIV – Council developments in prevention and treatment. Alistair McVicar, Imperial College London, Grantham Institute Environment and Energy – Heat Pumps, Bioenergy, Energy Sophie Redford, Oxford University, Science and Technology Facilities Efficiency, Drought Resilience, GM Crops and Developing Countries, Council Land Sharing versus Land Sparing. Dr Sridhar Venkatapuram, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Physical sciences and IT – Open Source and Open Standards, Medicine, Wellcome Trust Bioethics Programme Open Public Sector Data, ICT for Disabled People. Edward Yoxall, Imperial College London, Engineering and Physical Science Policy – Science, Technology, Engineering, and Sciences Research Council Mathematics (STEM) Education for 14-19 years old. Staff CONFERENCES AND SEMINARS Professor David Cope retired as Director of POST on March 31st after 14 distinguished years at the helm. Natural Flood Management The Physics and IT POST adviser, Dr Chandrika Nath, has been On 17th January, POST organised a parliamentary seminar to appointed interim head of POST. follow up on POSTnote 396 on Natural Flood Management. The event was chaired by Anne McIntosh MP, Member of Parliament for INTERNATIONAL ACTIVITIES Thirsk & Malton and Chair of the Environment, Food, and Rural Dr Mara Almeida represented POST at a planning meeting of the Affairs Select Committee and the All-Party Parliamentary Group on European commission Parliaments and Civil Society in Technology Flood Protection. Presentations were made by: Martin Whiting, Assessment (PACITA) project, hosted by the Norwegian Board of Chartered Institute of Water and Environmental Management Rivers Technology in Oslo. and Coastal Group Chair; Dr Neil McIntyre, Reader in Surface Water Hydrology, Imperial College London; Dr Paul Quinn, Senior Lecturer POST African Parliaments Programme in Catchment Hydrology, Newcastle University; and, Dr Wendy From 25th to 27th February 2012 Dr Nath organised a Kenyon, Senior Researcher, James Hutton Institute. conference on Evidence Informed Policy Making along with UK NGO Undergrounding of Power Lines INASP (International Network for the Availability of Scientific Publications) and Nigerian governmental science organisation On 31st January, POST, in collaboration with the Commons NACETEM (with support from the Wellcome Trust) from 27th Energy and Climate Change Committee, hosted a seminar on the February to 1st March. The conference was attended by researchers, costs of electricity power lines. The seminar summarised the findings government and parliamentary officials from the UK as well as Latin of an independent report on the subject, which was published the America, South East Asia and Africa. Dr Nath gave presentations on same day and endorsed by the Institution of Engineering and scientific advice in the UK as well as on POST’s programme in Technology. The meeting was chaired by Tim Yeo MP, Chair of the Uganda. Energy and Climate Change Committee, and gave parliamentarians the opportunity to hear a summary of the report on the day of POST and INASP are also piloting a remote mentoring scheme publication, as well as to ask questions of the authors. where staff from the Parliament of Uganda are linked up with international experts who will mentor them to produce a policy Future of UK Research briefing for their MPs. Two pairs have been set up, working on digital On 7th February, POST hosted a special meeting of the ‘Foresight switchover and solid waste management. Action Network’ to examine the future of UK scientific research, in

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HOUSE OF COMMONS LIBRARY SCIENCE AND ENVIRONMENT SECTION

The Section produces a series of The Water Industry (Financial Assistance) Bill Nuclear power currently contributes 16% of frequently updated notes on a wide 2010-12 SN/SC/6234 the UK’s electricity supply and recent studies of its range of topics. Opposite are summaries of some recently The Bill contains two measures. One gives the economics appear favourable – at least when updated notes. Government discretion to reduce water bills in carbon costs are factored in. These are low for certain regions. The other gives the Government nuclear power and renewables compared with The notes can be accessed online fossil fuels. Nuclear decommissioning costs are at http://www.parliament.uk/ discretion to provide financial assistance for major topics/Topical-Issues.htm water and sewage infrastructure projects. relatively small, at least when substantial discounting of future costs is included. Contact Christopher Barclay Head Initially the Government plans to use these of Section Tel: 020 7219 3624 powers to reduce water bills in the South West of It is highly likely that nuclear power will email: [email protected] England and to support the Thames Tunnel continue to make an important contribution to the project. UK’s electricity. It will do so within a “mixed economy” of gas, coal and renewables like wind The Bill only applies to water or sewerage farms. undertakers whose areas are mainly in England. The Bill received Royal Assent on 1 May 2012. EU ETS and aviation SN/SC/5533 The Rio+20 UN conference on sustainable As part of the effort to reduce emissions the development SN/SC/6246 aviation sector has been included in the EU Emissions Trading Scheme (EU ETS) since 1 From 20-22 June 2012 the UN will hold a January 2012. This applies to all airlines which fly conference on sustainable development in Rio de in and out of the EU. Emissions will be capped at Janeiro, Brazil, twenty years on from the ‘Earth 95% of historical emissions and revenues raised Summit’ of 1992, also held in Rio. will be retained by Member States. It is expected Unlike the first Rio Summit, which resulted in that the majority of the cuts will be met by airlines the climate change and biodiversity conventions, purchasing international credits created through along with a sustainable development action plan, the Kyoto protocols rather than through the this conference will focus on sustainable purchase of EU ETS credits or reducing their own development. Its two themes are the ‘green emissions. economy’ and an institutional framework for International aviation organisations and non EU sustainable development. One aim is to develop countries have expressed strong opposition, with sustainable development goals, like the UN countries such as India and China instructing their millennium development goals. In January 2012 a airlines not to take part. This could, in the long ‘zero draft’ outcome document was produced. term, lead to non compliant airlines being banned In October 2011 the Environmental Audit from flying to EU countries. However, the first EU Committee (EAC) published its Report on ETS credits are not due to be submitted by airlines Preparations for the Rio+20 Summit which noted to the EU until April 2013. inadequate progress since 1992. Smart meters SN/SC/6179 Nuclear power SN/SC/6228 Between 2014 and 2019 more than 50 million Successive Governments have pursued policies new electricity and gas ‘smart meters’ will be aimed at encouraging investment in new nuclear installed in 30 million premises. These meters, power stations. with in-home-displays (IHDs) will allow consumers Safety considerations will be much to the fore, to see and adjust what energy they are using. prompted by memories of Chernobyl and In July 2010 Ofgem published a Prospectus for Fukushima. A report by the Chief Nuclear consultation on a range of proposals for the Inspector, Dr Mike Weightman, provides some launch. In March 2011 DECC and Ofgem jointly reassurance on the safety of existing and future published a Government response to the nuclear stations, while counselling against consultation and concerns raised and DECC then complacency. In addition to ensuring the assumed responsibility. In April 2012 the continued safe operation of Britain’s nuclear Government issued an update on the programme, power stations, disposal of the radioactive waste along with a new range of consultation documents produced will need to ensure that radiation and government responses. exposure is kept to within the current low levels. Ofgem considers that smart metering could Physical security and other safeguards are in place “transform how energy markets operate”. The to lower the risk that radioactive or fissile material Government estimates that over the next 20 could fall into the wrong hands. years, the use of smart meters will deliver over £7

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billion of benefits to consumers, energy suppliers and networks. Green Belt SN/SC/934 However, the National Audit Office (NAO) and the Public This describes the Green Belt policy, which forms an important Accounts Committee (PAC) have raised concerns about the risks part of British planning policy. The area of the Green Belt has not and the potential benefits to consumers; the PAC considers the been reduced recently. Reductions in some areas have been offset associated challenges are ‘huge’. by increases elsewhere. On 27 March 2012, DCLG published the Waste Water National Policy Statement SN/SC/6259 final version of the National Planning Policy Framework. It contains only very brief guidance on renewable energy applications. This describes planning policy for nationally significant waste water treatment projects such as the Thames Tunnel. It was In 2011 the Institute of Directors called for land to be released approved by Parliament in March 2012. from the green belt to stimulate house building. Also in 2011 the OECD criticised the green belt system for being an obstacle to Wind Farms - Distance from housing SN/SC/5221 house building. There is concern that wind farms might be too close to houses. On 27 March 2012, DCLG published the final version of the There are no statutory limits in the UK. National Planning Policy Framework. It came into effect immediately, England has no separation distance, although noise limits suggest superseding the 2011 draft and all other planning guidance (except a minimum separation distance of 350 metres for a typical wind on waste). It maintains protection for the Green Belt. turbine. Scotland has guidance suggesting 2km and Wales suggests Agriculture – CAP Reforms SN/SC/3680 500m between a wind turbine and housing. The Government has rejected the idea of a separation distance for England. Two Private The Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) was reformed in 2003, Member’s Ten Minute Rule Bills have suggested a separation with minor changes in the “Health Check” in 2008. Individual distance. schemes based on high guaranteed prices for farmers were largely abandoned in favour of paying farmers a Single Farm Payment There is no compensation for those living near a wind farm. It is (SFP) based upon the area of the farm. Modulation allowed SFP to not clear how much house prices are reduced when a wind farm is be reduced so as to fund the Rural Development Plan. The 2003 built nearby. There is a compensation scheme in Denmark. reform was based upon an agreement to maintain EU spending on An independent study concluded in 2011 that flicker was not a agricultural support until 2013. serious problem and Government guidance has been left The European Commission published preliminary ideas on the unchanged. An independent study on noise has supported the CAP after 2013 in November 2010 and more detailed plans in Government approach. October 2011. The EFRA Select Committee in April 2011 criticised On 27 March 2012, DCLG published the final version of the both the Commission’s 2010 proposals and Defra’s handling of the National Planning Policy Framework. It contains only very brief negotiations. guidance on renewable energy applications.

SELECTED DEBATES

Agriculture Health Common Agricultural Policy – 8.3.12 HoC 343WH EU: Healthcare – 11.1.12 HoL 176 Animal Welfare Melanoma – 18.1.12 HoC 320WH EU Directive on Animal Experimentation – Stereotactic Body Radiotherapy – 8.2.12 HoC 413 Listed opposite (grouped by subject 27.3.12 HoC 366WH Healthcare Professionals – 22.3.12 HoL 1104 area) is a selection of Debates on Diabetes – 23.3.12 HoC 1129 Education matters of scientific interest which Para-Phenylenediamine – 26.3.12 HoL GC215 Technology (Primary Schools) – took place in the House of 11.1.12 HoC 142WH Industry Commons, the House of Lords or Design Education and Growth – 24.1.12 HoL 993 Manufacturing and Engineering – Westminster Hall between 10th Postgraduate Education – 25.1.12 HoC 103WH 6.3.12 HoC 199WH January and 28th March 2012. 16-18 Mathematics Education – Pharmaceutical Industry – 21.3.12 HoC 897 27.3.12 HoC 334WH Thamesteel – 21.3.12 HoC 193WH Energy Miscellaneous Carbon Capture and Storage (Scotland) – Green Agenda – 12.1.12 HoL 267 17.1.12 HoC 217WH Intellectual Property – 7.2.12 HoC 1WH North Sea Oil and Gas – 25.1.12 HoC 377 Forensic Science Service – 27.2.12 HoC 81 Offshore Renewable Energy (East Anglia) – Water 31.1.12 HoC 258WH International Development: Sanitation and Water – Future of Biomass – 20.2.12 HoC 715 19.3.12 HoL 717 Clean Coal – 28.2.12 HoC 65WH National Policy Statement (Waste Water) – Renewable Energy – 29.2.12 HoC 100WH 19.3.12 HoC 589 South West Marine Energy Park – Water and Sanitation – 21.3.12 HoC 218WH 29.2.12 HoC 142WH Fisheries Fishing Quotas – 22.2.12 HoC 326WH Common Fisheries Policy – 15.3.12 HoC 431

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SCIENCE DIRECTORY DIRECTORY INDEX

Aerospace and Aviation Cosmetic Science GAMBICA Association Ltd Heart Research EPSRC Royal Society of Chemistry Institute of Marine Engineering, Science ABPI Institution of Engineering Designers Society of Cosmetic Scientists & Technology Eli Lilly and Company Ltd National Physical Laboratory Institute of Measurement and Control The Physiological Society The Welding Institute Earth Sciences Institute of Physics and Engineering in Society of Biology The Geological Society Medicine Agriculture Institute of Marine Engineering, Science Institution of Chemical Engineers Hydrocarbons and Petroleum BBSRC & Technology Institution of Civil Engineers The Geological Society CABI The Linnean Society of London Institution of Engineering Designers Institution of Chemical Engineers The Food and Environment Research Agency Natural Environment Research Council Institution of Engineering and Technology Natural History Museum Institution of Engineering Designers Natural History Museum Institution of Mechanical Engineers Royal Society of Chemistry LGC Society of Biology National Physical Laboratory PHARMAQ Ltd The Royal Academy of Engineering Industrial Policy and Research Royal Society of Chemistry Ecology, Environment and Biodiversity Society of Maritime Industries AIRTO Society for Applied Microbiology The British Ecological Society STFC Economic and Social Research Council Society for General Microbiology CABI The Welding Institute GAMBICA Association Ltd Society of Biology Economic and Social Research Council Institution of Civil Engineers UFAW The Food and Environment Research Agency Fisheries Research Institution of Engineering and Technology Institution of Chemical Engineers Institute of Marine Engineering, Science The Royal Academy of Engineering Animal Health and Welfare, Veterinary Institution of Civil Engineers & Technology STFC Research Institution of Mechanical Engineers Marine Biological Association Society of Biology ABPI LGC Society of Biology The Welding Institute Academy of Medical Sciences The Linnean Society of London The Linnean Society of London Marine Biological Association Food and Food Technology Information Services PHARMAQ Ltd National Physical Laboratory British Nutrition Foundation AIRTO Society for Applied Microbiology Natural Environment Research Council CABI CABI Society for General Microbiology Natural History Museum The Food and Environment Research Agency The Welding Institute Society of Biology Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew Institute of Food Science & Technology UFAW Royal Society of Chemistry Institution of Chemical Engineers IT, Internet, Telecommunications, Society for Applied Microbiology LGC Computing and Electronics Astronomy and Space Science Society for General Microbiology The Nutrition Society EPSRC Institute of Physics Society of Biology Royal Society of Chemistry Institution of Civil Engineers Institution of Engineering Designers Society of Maritime Industries Society for Applied Microbiology Institution of Engineering and Technology Natural History Museum Society for General Microbiology National Physical Laboratory STFC Economic and Social Research Society of Biology STFC Economic and Social Research Council The Welding Institute Atmospheric Sciences, Climate and Forensics Weather Education, Training and Skills Institute of Measurement and Control Intellectual Property The Geological Society ABPI LGC ABPI Institute of Marine Engineering, Science Academy of Medical Sciences The Linnean Society of London The Chartered Institute of Patent Attorneys & Technology AIRTO Royal Society of Chemistry Eli Lilly and Company Ltd Natural Environment Research Council Biochemical Society Society of Biology NESTA STFC British Science Association Society of Biology The British Ecological Society Genetics Biotechnology British Nutrition Foundation ABPI Large-Scale Research Facilities BBSRC British Pharmacological Society BBSRC The Food and Environment Research Agency Biochemical Society British Society for Antimicrobial Chemotherapy LGC National Physical Laboratory CABI CABI The Linnean Society of London Natural History Museum Eli Lilly and Company Ltd Clifton Scientific Trust Natural History Museum STFC Institution of Chemical Engineers Economic and Social Research Council The Physiological Society The Welding Institute LGC EPSRC Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew National Physical Laboratory EngineeringUK Society of Biology Lasers Royal Society of Chemistry Institute of Marine Engineering, Science Institute of Physics Society for Applied Microbiology & Technology Geology and Geoscience National Physical Laboratory Society for General Microbiology Institute of Measurement and Control The Geological Society STFC Society of Biology Institute of Physics Institution of Civil Engineers The Welding Institute Institution of Chemical Engineers Natural Environment Research Council Brain Research Institution of Civil Engineers Royal Society of Chemistry Manufacturing ABPI Institution of Engineering and Technology Society of Maritime Industries ABPI Eli Lilly and Company Ltd Institution of Mechanical Engineers AMPS MSD LGC Hazard and Risk Mitigation EPSRC Society of Biology The Linnean Society of London The Geological Society GAMBICA Association Ltd The Physiological Society NESTA Institute of Marine Engineering, Science Institution of Chemical Engineers National Physical Laboratory & Technology Institution of Engineering Designers Cancer Research Natural History Museum Institute of Measurement and Control Institution of Engineering and Technology ABPI The Nutrition Society Institution of Chemical Engineers Institution of Mechanical Engineers Eli Lilly and Company Ltd The Physiological Society Society of Biology National Physical Laboratory Institute of Physics and Engineering in Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew The Welding Institute Society of Maritime Industries Medicine The Royal Institution The Welding Institute National Physical Laboratory The Royal Society Health Society of Biology Royal Society of Chemistry ABPI Materials Society of Biology Academy of Medical Sciences Institution of Chemical Engineers Catalysis The Welding Institute Biochemical Society Institution of Engineering Designers Institution of Chemical Engineers British In Vitro Diagnostics Association National Physical Laboratory Royal Society of Chemistry Energy British Nutrition Foundation Royal Society of Chemistry CABI British Pharmacological Society STFC Chemistry EPSRC British Society for Antimicrobial Chemotherapy The Welding Institute EPSRC GAMBICA Association Ltd Economic and Social Research Council Institution of Chemical Engineers Institute of Marine Engineering, Science Eli Lilly and Company Ltd Mathematical Sciences LGC & Technology EPSRC Council for the Mathematical Sciences: The Royal Institution Institute of Measurement and Control The Food and Environment Research Agency Institute of Mathematics and its Applications Royal Society of Chemistry Institute of Physics GAMBICA Association Ltd London Mathematical Society STFC Institution of Chemical Engineers Institute of Physics and Engineering in Royal Statistical Society Society of Biology Institution of Civil Engineers Medicine Operational Research Society Institution of Engineering Designers LGC Edinburgh Mathematical Society Colloid Science Institution of Engineering and Technology Medical Research Council Royal Society of Chemistry Institution of Mechanical Engineers National Physical Laboratory Medical and Biomedical Research Royal Society of Chemistry The Nutrition Society ABPI Construction and Building STFC The Physiological Society Academy of Medical Sciences The Geological Society Society of Biology The Royal Institution Biochemical Society Institution of Civil Engineers The Welding Institute Royal Society of Chemistry British Pharmacological Society Institution of Engineering Designers Society for Applied Microbiology British Society for Antimicrobial Chemotherapy Institution of Engineering and Technology Engineering Society for General Microbiology CABI National Physical Laboratory EPSRC Society of Biology Eli Lilly and Company Ltd The Welding Institute EngineeringUK The Welding Institute Medical Research Council

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MSD Pollution and Waste Institution of Engineering and Technology Society of Biology The Physiological Society ABPI LGC The Welding Institute The Royal Institution The Geological Society The Linnean Society of London Society of Biology Institute of Marine Engineering, Science Marine Biological Association Tropical Medicine UFAW & Technology Medical Research Council The Linnean Society of London The Welding Institute Institution of Chemical Engineers NESTA Natural History Museum Institution of Civil Engineers National Physical Laboratory Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew Motor Vehicles Marine Biological Association The Physiological Society Society for Applied Microbiology Institution of Engineering Designers National Physical Laboratory Prospect Society for General Microbiology The Welding Institute Natural Environment Research Council Research Councils UK Society of Biology Royal Society of Chemistry The Royal Academy of Engineering Oceanography Society of Biology Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew Viruses, Fungi and Bacteria The Geological Society Society of Maritime Industries The Royal Institution ABPI Institute of Marine Engineering, Science The Welding Institute The Royal Society The Linnean Society of London & Technology Royal Society of Chemistry Society for Applied Microbiology National Physical Laboratory Psychology STFC Society for General Microbiology Natural Environment Research Council British Psychological Society Society of Biology Society of Biology Royal Society of Chemistry Economic and Social Research Council UFAW Society of Biology Society of Biology Water Society of Maritime Industries Sensors and Transducers The Geological Society Public Policy GAMBICA Association Ltd Institute of Measurement and Control Oil Biochemical Society Institute of Measurement and Control Institution of Chemical Engineers The Geological Society The British Ecological Society Institution of Engineering and Technology Institution of Civil Engineers Institute of Marine Engineering, Science British Nutrition Foundation STFC LGC & Technology British Society for Antimicrobial Chemotherapy Society of Maritime Industries Marine Biological Association Institution of Chemical Engineers Economic and Social Research Council The Welding Institute Royal Society of Chemistry LGC EngineeringUK Society for Applied Microbiology The Welding Institute The Food and Environment Research Agency SSSIs Society for General Microbiology Institution of Civil Engineers The Geological Society Society of Biology Particle Physics Institution of Chemical Engineers The Linnean Society of London Society of Maritime Industries Institute of Physics Institution of Engineering and Technology Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew STFC The Linnean Society of London Society of Biology Wildlife NESTA The British Ecological Society Patents Prospect Statistics The Food and Environment Research Agency The Chartered Institute of Patent Attorneys Royal Society of Chemistry Economic and Social Research Council The Linnean Society of London NESTA Society of Biology EPSRC Marine Biological Association Society of Biology EngineeringUK Natural History Museum Quality Management Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew Pharmaceuticals GAMBICA Association Ltd Surface Science Society of Biology ABPI LGC STFC UFAW AMPS National Physical Laboratory British Pharmacological Society The Welding Institute Sustainability British Society for Antimicrobial Chemotherapy The British Ecological Society Eli Lilly and Company Ltd Radiation Hazards CABI Institution of Chemical Engineers Institute of Physics and Engineering in EPSRC LGC Medicine The Food and Environment Research Agency MSD Institution of Engineering and Technology The Geological Society PHARMAQ Ltd LGC Institute of Marine Engineering, Science Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew Society of Biology & Technology Royal Society of Chemistry Institution of Chemical Engineers Society of Biology Science Policy Institution of Civil Engineers ABPI The Linnean Society of London Physical Sciences Academy of Medical Sciences Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew Cavendish Laboratory Biochemical Society Royal Society of Chemistry EPSRC The British Ecological Society Society of Biology The Geological Society British Nutrition Foundation The Welding Institute Institute of Marine Engineering, Science British Pharmacological Society & Technology British Science Association Technology Transfer Marine Biological Association CABI AIRTO National Physical Laboratory Clifton Scientific Trust CABI Royal Society of Chemistry Economic and Social Research Council The Food and Environment Research Agency Eli Lilly and Company Ltd Institute of Measurement and Control Physics EPSRC Institution of Engineering and Technology Cavendish Laboratory EngineeringUK LGC Institute of Physics The Food and Environment Research Agency NESTA Institute of Physics and Engineering in GAMBICA Association Ltd National Physical Laboratory Medicine Institute of Physics Research Councils UK National Physical Laboratory Institution of Chemical Engineers Royal Society of Chemistry STFC Institution of Civil Engineers STFC

Association AIRTO of the British Contact: Professor Richard Brook OBE FREng Pharmaceutical AIRTO Ltd: Association of Independent Contact: Dr Helen Munn, Industry Research & Technology Organisations Limited Executive Director c/o The National Physical Laboratory Contact: Dr Louise Leong Academy of Medical Sciences Hampton Road Head of Research & Development 41 Portland Place Teddington 7th Floor, Southside, 105 Victoria Street, London W1B 1QH Middlesex TW11 0LW London SW1E 6QT Tel: 020 3176 2150 Tel: 020 8943 6600 Tel: 020 7747 7193 E-mail: [email protected] Fax: 020 8614 0470 Fax: 020 7747 1447 Website: www.acmedsci.ac.uk E-mail: [email protected] E-mail: [email protected] Website: www.airto.co.uk Website: www.abpi.org.uk The Academy of Medical Sciences promotes AIRTO – The Association for Independent Research and The ABPI is the voice of the innovative pharmaceutical Technology Organisations – is the foremost membership advances in medical science and campaigns to industry, working with Government, regulators and other body for organisations operating in the UK’s intermediate ensure these are converted into healthcare benefits stakeholders to promote a receptive environment for a research and technology sector. AIRTO’s members deliver for society. The Academy’s Fellows are the United strong and progressive industry in the UK, one capable of vital innovation and knowledge transfer services which providing the best medicines to patients. Kingdom’s leading medical scientists and scholars include applied and collaborative R&D, frequently in The ABPI’s mission is to represent the pharmaceutical from hospitals, academia, industry and the public conjunction with universities, consultancy, technology industry operating in the UK in a way that: validation and testing, incubation of commercialisation service. The Academy provides independent, • assures patient access to the best available medicine; opportunities and early stage financing. AIRTO members authoritative advice on public policy issues in • creates a favourable political and economic environment; have a combined turnover of over £2Bn from clients both at medical science and healthcare. • encourages innovative research and development; home and outside the UK, and employ over 20,000 • affords fair commercial returns scientists, technologists and engineers.

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AMPS The British Ecological Contact: Linda McCulloch Contact: Kate Baillie, CEO Society Biochemical Society mobile tel: 07958 514 706 The British Ecological Society [email protected] Charles Darwin House 12 Roger Street Contact: Ceri Margerison, Policy Manager Tony Harding - Hon Sec London WC1N 2JU British Ecological Society mobile tel: 07711 447 896 Tel: 020 7685 2433 Charles Darwin House, 12 Roger Street, [email protected] Email: [email protected] London, WC1N 2JU 128 Theobald’s Road, Holborn. Website: www.biochemistry.org Tel: 020 7685 2500 Fax : 020 7685 2501 London WC1X 8TN Website: www.BritishEcologicalSociety.org The Biochemical Society exists to promote and Tel: 020 7611 2500 Ecology into Policy Blog support the Molecular and Cellular Biosciences. We http://britishecologicalsociety.org/blog/ Website: www.amps-tradeunion.com have nearly 6000 members in the UK and abroad, mostly research bioscientists in universities or in The British Ecological Society’s mission is to advance We are a Trades Union for Management and industry. The Society is also a major scientific ecology and make it count. The Society has 4,000 Professional Staff working in the pharmaceutical, members worldwide. The BES publishes five chemical and allied industries. publisher. In addition, we promote science policy debate and provide resources, for teachers and internationally renowned scientific journals and We also have a section for Professional Divers working organises the largest scientific meeting for ecologists in pupils, to support the bioscience curriculum in globally. We represent a broad base of both office and Europe. Through its grants, the BES also supports schools. Our membership supports our mission by field based staff and use our influence to improve ecologists in developing countries and the provision of working conditions on behalf of our members. organizing scientific meetings, sustaining our fieldwork in schools. The BES informs and advises publications through authorship and peer review We are experts in performance based and field related Parliament and Government on ecological issues and and by supporting our educational and policy issues and are affiliated to our counterparts in EU welcomes requests for assistance from parliamentarians. Professional Management Unions. initiatives.

British British In Vitro Nutrition Diagnostics Association Foundation

(BIVDA) Contact: Professor Judy Buttriss, Contact: Jonathan Brüün Director General Chief Executive Contact: Doris-Ann Williams MBE 52-54 High Holborn, London WC1V 6RQ British Pharmacological Society British In Vitro Diagnostics Association 16 Angel Gate, City Road (BIVDA), 1 Queen Anne’s Gate, Tel: 020 7404 6504 London EC1V 2PT London SW1H 9BT Fax: 020 7404 6747 Tel: : 020 7417 0110 Email: [email protected] Tel: 020 7957 4633 Fax: 020 7417 0114 Fax: 020 7957 4644 Websites: www.nutrition.org.uk Email: [email protected] E-mail: [email protected] www.foodafactoflife.org.uk Website: www.bps.ac.uk Website: www.bivda.co.uk The British Pharmacological Society has been The British Nutrition Foundation (BNF) was supporting pharmacology and pharmacologists for BIVDA is the UK industry association representing established over 40 years ago and exists to deliver over 80 years. Our 3,000+ members, from companies who manufacture and/or distribute the academia, industry and clinical practice, are trained diagnostics tests and equipment to diagnose, authoritative, evidence-based information on food to study drug action from the laboratory bench to monitor and manage disease largely through the and nutrition in the context of health and lifestyle. the patient’s bedside. Our aim is to improve quality NHS pathology services. Increasingly diagnostics are of life by developing new medicines to treat and used outside the laboratory in community settings The Foundation’s work is conducted and prevent the diseases and conditions that affect and also to identify those patients who would communicated through a unique blend of millions of people and animals. Inquiries about benefit from specific drug treatment particularly for nutrition science, education and media activities. drugs and how they work are welcome. cancer.

British Science British Society The Association for Antimicrobial British Contact: Sir Roland Jackson Bt, Chemotherapy Psychological Chief Executive Mrs Tracey Guise British Science Association, Executive Director Society Wellcome Wolfson Building, 165 Queen’s Gate, British Society for Antimicrobial Chemotherapy London SW7 5HD. Contact: Lucy Chaplin Griffin House E-mail: PR & Marketing Manager 53 Regent Place [email protected] The British Psychological Society Birmingham B1 3NJ Website: www.britishscienceassociation.org St Andrews House T: 0121 236 1988 48 Princess Road East Our vision is a society in which people are able to W: www.bsac.org.uk Leicester LE1 7DR access science, engage with it and feel a sense of Founded in 1971, and with 800 members Tel: 0116 252 9910 ownership about its direction. In such a society worldwide, the Society exists to facilitate the Email: [email protected] science advances with, and because of, the acquisition and dissemination of knowledge in the Website: www.bps.org.uk involvement and active support of the public. Established in 1831, the British Science Association field of antimicrobial chemotherapy. The BSAC publishes the Journal of Antimicrobial The British Psychological Society is an organisation is a registered charity which organises major Chemotherapy (JAC), internationally renowned for of over 48,000 members governed by Royal initiatives across the UK, including National Science its scientific excellence, undertakes a range of Charter. It maintains the Register of Chartered and Engineering Week, the British Science Festival, Psychologists, publishes books, 11 primary science programmes of regional and local events and the educational activities, awards grants for research Journals and organises conferences. Requests for CREST programme for young people in schools and and has active relationships with its peer groups information about psychology and psychologists colleges. We provide opportunities for all ages to and government. from parliamentarians are welcome. discuss, investigate, explore and challenge science.

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CABI Cavendish Chartered Science and development organization Laboratory Institute of The Administrative Secretary, The Cavendish Laboratory, Patent Attorneys Contact: Dr Joan Kelley, Executive Director, J J Thomson Avenue, Cambridge CB3 0HE, UK. Contact: Lee Davies – Chief Executive E-mail: [email protected] Global Operations, CABI The Chartered Institute of Patent Attorneys http://www.phy.cam.ac.uk Bakeham Lane, Egham, Surrey TW20 9TY 95 Chancery Lane, London WC2A 1DT Tel: 01491 829306 Fax: 01491 829100 The Cavendish Laboratory houses the Department of Physics Tel: 020 7405 9450 Email: [email protected] of the University of Cambridge. Fax: 020 7430 0471 Website: www.cabi.org The research programme covers the breadth of E-mail: [email protected] CABI is an international not-for-profit development contemporary physics Website: www.cipa.org.uk organization, specializing in scientific publishing, Extreme Universe: Astrophysics, cosmology and high CIPA’s members practise in intellectual property, research and communication. We create, energy physics especially patents, trade marks, designs, and communicate, and apply knowledge in order to Quantum Universe: Cold atoms, condensed matter theory, copyright, either in private partnerships or industrial improve people’s lives by finding sustainable scientific computing, quantum matter and semiconductor companies. Through its new regulatory Board, CIPA solutions to agricultural and environmental issues. physics maintains the statutory Register. It advises We work for and with universities, national research Materials Universe: Optoelectronics, nanophotonics, detector physics, thin film magnetism, surface physics and government and international circles on policy and extension institutions, development agencies, the Winton programme for the physics of sustainability issues and provides information services, promoting the private sector, governments, charities and the benefits to UK industry of obtaining IP foundations, farmers, and non-governmental Biological Universe: Physics of medicine, biological systems and soft matter protection, and to overseas industry of using British organizations. We also manage one of the world’s attorneys to obtain international protection. largest genetic resource collections: the UK’s The Laboratory has world-wide collaborations with other National Collection of Fungus Cultures. universities and industry

Clifton The Council Eli Lilly and Scientific for the Company Trust Mathematical Sciences Ltd Contact: Dr Eric Albone Contact: Anne Bennett Contact: Thom Thorp, Head External Affairs Clifton Scientific Trust CMS Secretariat Tel: 01256 315000 49 Northumberland Road, Bristol BS6 7BA De Morgan House Fax: 01256 775858 Tel: 0117 924 7664 Fax: 0117 924 7664 57-58 Russell Square, London WC1B 4HS Eli Lilly and Company Ltd, Lilly House E-mail: [email protected] Tel: 020 7927 0803 Priestley Road, Basingstoke, Hants, Website: www.clifton-scientific.org Fax: 020 7323 3655 RG24 9NL Email: [email protected] Email. [email protected] Website: www.lilly.co.uk Science for Citizenship and Employability, Website: www.cms.ac.uk Science for Life, Science for Real Lilly UK is the UK affiliate of a major American We build grass-roots partnerships between school and The Council for the Mathematical Sciences is an pharmaceutical manufacturer, Eli Lilly and Company the wider world of professional science and its authoritative and objective body that works to develop, of Indianapolis. This affiliate is one of the UK’s top applications influence and respond to UK policy issues affecting pharmaceutical companies with significant • for young people of all ages and abilities mathematical sciences in higher education and investment in science and technology including a research, and therefore the UK economy and society by: • experiencing science as a creative, questioning, neuroscience research and development centre and • providing expert advice; human activity bulk biotechnology manufacturing operations. • engaging with government, funding agencies and • bringing school science added meaning and other decision makers; Lilly medicines treat schizophrenia, diabetes, cancer, notivation, from primary to post-16 • raising public awareness; and osteoporosis, attention deficit hyperactivity • locally, nationally, internationally • facilitating communication between the disorder, erectile dysfunction, severe sepsis, (currently between Britain and Japan) mathematical sciences community and other depression, bipolar disorder, heart disease and Clifton Scientific Trust Ltd is registered charity 1086933 stakeholders many other diseases.

The Food and GAMBICA Environment Association Ltd Research Agency

Contact: Miriam Laverick Contact: Professor Robert Edwards Contact: Dr Graeme Philp PR and Communications Manager Chief Scientist Broadwall House EngineeringUK The Food and Environment Research Agency 21 Broadwall Weston House, 246 High Holborn Sand Hutton, York, YO41 1LZ London SE1 9PL London WC1V 7EX Tel: 01904 462415 Tel: 020 7642 8080 Tel: 020 3206 0444 Fax: 01904 462486 Fax: 020 7642 8096 Fax: 020 3206 0401 E-mail: [email protected] E-mail: [email protected] E-mail: [email protected] Website: www.defra.gov.uk/fera Website: www.gambica.org.uk Website: www.EngineeringUK.com The Food and Environment Research Agency’s over EngineeringUK is an independent organisation that GAMBICA Association is the UK trade association arching purpose is to support and develop a for instrumentation, control, automation and promotes the vital role of engineers, engineering sustainable food chain, a healthy natural laboratory technology. The association seeks to and technology in our society. EngineeringUK environment, and to protect the global community promote the successful development of the industry partners business and industry, Government and the from biological and chemical risks. and assist its member companies through a broad wider science and technology community: range of services, including technical policy and producing evidence on the state of engineering; Our role within that is to provide robust evidence, standards, commercial issues, market data and sharing knowledge within engineering, and rigorous analysis and professional advice to export services. inspiring young people to choose a career in Government, international organisations and the engineering, matching employers’ demand for private sector. skills.

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The Institute of Food Institute of Geological Science & Marine Engineering, Science and Society Technology Technology (IMarEST) Contact: Angela Winchester Contact: Nic Bilham 5 Cambridge Court Contact: John Wills Head of Strategy and External Relations 210 Shepherds Bush Road Institute of Marine Engineering, Science Burlington House London W6 7NJ and Technology (IMarEST), Aldgate House, Piccadilly Tel: 020 7603 6316 33 Aldgate High Street, London, EC3N 1EN London W1J 0BG Fax: 020 7602 9936 Tel: +44(0) 20 7382 2600 Tel: 020 7434 9944 E-mail: [email protected] Fax: +44(0) 20 7382 2667 Fax: 020 7439 8975 Website: www.ifst.org E-mail: [email protected] E-mail: [email protected] Website: www.imarest.org Website: www.geolsoc.org.uk IFST is the independent qualifying body for food professionals in Europe. Membership is drawn from Established in London in 1889, the IMarEST is a The Geological Society is the national learned and all over the world from backgrounds including leading international membership body and learned professional body for Earth sciences, with 10,000 industry, universities, government, research and society for marine professionals, with over 15,000 Fellows (members) worldwide. The Fellowship development and food law enforcement. members worldwide. The IMarEST has an extensive encompasses those working in industry, academia IFST’s activities focus on disseminating knowledge marine network of 50 international branches, and government, with a wide range of perspectives affiliations with major marine societies around the and views on policy-relevant science, and the relating to food science and technology and promoting its application. Another important world, representation on the key marine technical Society is a leading communicator of this science to committees and non-governmental status at the government bodies and other non-technical element of our work is to promote and uphold standards amongst food professionals. International Maritime Organization (IMO) as well audiences. as other intergovernmental organisations.

The Institute of Institute of Measurement Physics and and Control Contact: Joseph Winters 76 Portland Place, London W1B 1NT Engineering Contact: Mr Peter Martindale, Tel: 020 7470 4815 CEO and Secretary E-mail: [email protected] in Medicine The Institute of Measurement and Control Website: www.iop.org Contact: Robert Neilson, General Secretary 87 Gower Street, London WC1E 6AF Fairmount House, 230 Tadcaster Road, Tel: +44 (0) 20 73874949 The Institute of Physics is a leading scientific York, YO24 1ES Fax: +44 (0) 20 73888431 society promoting physics and bringing Tel: 01904 610821 Fax: 01904 612279 E-mail: [email protected] physicists together for the benefit of all. E-mail: [email protected] Website: www.instmc.org.uk Website: www.ipem.ac.uk Reg Charity number: 269815 It has a worldwide membership of around IPEM is a registered, incorporated charity for the The Institute of Measurement and Control provides a 40,000 comprising physicists from all sectors, as advancement, in the public interest, of physics and forum for personal contact amongst practiioners, well as those with an interest in physics. It works engineering applied to medicine and biology. It publishes learned papers and is a professional to advance physics research, application and accredits medical physicists, clinical engineers and examining and qualifying organisation able to confer education; and engages with policymakers and clinical technologists through its membership the titles EurIng, CEng, IEng, EngTech; Companies and the public to develop awareness and register, organises training and CPD for them, and Universities may apply to become Companions. understanding of physics. Its publishing provides opportunities for the dissemination of Headquartered in London, the Institute has a strong company, IOP Publishing, is a world leader in knowledge through publications and scientific meetings. IPEM is licensed by the Science Council to regional base with 15 UK, 1 Hong Kong and 1 Malaysia professional scientific publishing and the Local Section, a bilateral agreement with the China award CSci, RSci and RSciTech, and by the electronic dissemination of physics. Go to Engineering Council to award CEng, IEng and Instrument Society and other major international links. www.iop.org EngTech.

Institution Institution of of Civil Engineering Engineers Designers

Contact: Joanna Gonet, Public Affairs Manager, Contact: Libby Brodhurst One Great George Street, Westminster, Courtleigh London SW1P 3AA, UK Westbury Leigh Tel: 020 7665 2265 Westbury Fax: 020 7222 0973 Wiltshire BA13 3TA E-mail: [email protected] Tel: 01373 822801 Website: www.ice.org.uk Fax: 01373 858085 E-mail: [email protected] ICE aims to be a leading voice in infrastructure Website: www.ied.org.uk issues. With over 80,000 members, ICE acts as a The only professional membership body solely for knowledge exchange for all aspects of civil those working in engineering and technological engineering. As a Learned Society, the Institution product design. Engineering Council and Chartered provides expertise, in the form of reports, evidence Environmentalist registration for suitably qualified and comment, on a wide range of subjects members. Membership includes experts on a wide including infrastructure, energy generation and range of engineering and product design disciplines, all of whom practise, manage or supply, climate change and sustainable educate in design. development.

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Institution of LGC Mechanical Queens Road, Teddington Engineers Middlesex, TW11 0LY Tel: +44 (0)20 8943 7000 Contact: Kate Heywood Fax: +44 (0)20 8943 2767 Contact: Paul Davies 1 Birdcage Walk E-mail: [email protected] IET, London SW1H 9JJ Website: www.lgcgroup.com Michael Faraday House, Tel: 020 7973 1293 Six Hills Way, LGC is an international science-based company and E-mail: [email protected] market leader in the provision of analytical, forensic Stevenage, Website: www.imeche.org SG1 2AY and diagnostic services and reference standards to Tel: +44(0) 1438 765687 customers in the public and private sectors. Email: [email protected] Under the Government Chemist function, LGC Web: www.theiet.org The Institution provides politicians and civil servants fulfils specific statutory duties as the referee analyst and provides advice for Government and the wider with information, expertise and advice on a diverse analytical community on the implications of The IET is a world leading professional organisation, range of subjects, focusing on manufacturing, analytical chemistry for matters of policy, standards sharing and advancing knowledge to promote energy, environment, transport and education and regulation. LGC is also the UK’s designated science, engineering and technology across the policy. We regularly publish policy statements and National Measurement Institute for chemical and biochemical analysis. world. Dating back to 1871, the IET has 150,000 host political briefings and policy events to establish members in 127 countries with offices in Europe, With headquarters in Teddington, South West a working relationship between the engineering London, LGC has 36 laboratories and centres across North America, and Asia-Pacific. profession and parliament. Europe and at sites in China, Brazil, India and the US.

Marine Biological Association Contact: Rob Pinnock Contact: Dr Elizabeth Rollinson, Contact: Dr Matthew Frost Licensing & External Research, Europe Executive Secretary Marine Biological Association, The Hertford Road The Linnean Society of London Laboratory, Citadel Hill, Plymouth, PL1 2PB Hoddesdon Burlington House, Piccadilly, Tel: 07848028388 Herts EN11 9BU London W1J 0BF Fax: 01752 633102 Tel: 01992 452850 Tel: 020 7434 4479 ext 12 E-mail: [email protected] Fax: 01992 441907 E-mail: [email protected] Website: mba.ac.uk e-mail: [email protected] Website: www.linnean.org For over 125 years the Marine Biological www.merck.com The Linnean Society of London is a professional Association has been delivering its mission ‘to MSD is a tradename of Merck & Co., Inc., with learned body which promotes natural history in all promote scientific research into all aspects of life in its branches, and was founded in 1788. The Society the sea, including the environment on which it headquarters in Whitehouse Station, N.J., U.S.A. is particularly active in the areas of biodiversity, conservation and sustainability, supporting its depends, and to disseminate to the public the MSD is an innovative, global health care leader that mission through organising open scientific knowledge gained.’ The MBA has extensive is committed to improving health and well-being meetings and publishing peer-reviewed journals, as research and knowledge exchange programmes around the world. MSD discovers, develops, well as undertaking educational initiatives. The and a long history of providing evidence to support manufactures, and markets vaccines, medicines, Society’s Fellows have a considerable range of policy. It represents its members in providing a clear biological expertise that can be harnessed to inform and consumer and animal health products designed independent voice to government on behalf of the and advise on scientific and public policy issues. to help save and improve lives. marine biological community. A Forum for Natural History

The National Natural National Endowment Physical History for Science, Technology Laboratory Museum The Science of Nature

and the Arts Contact: Fiona Auty Contact: Joe Baker Directorate Guy Bilgorri National Physical Laboratory Natural History Museum Public Affairs Officer Hampton Road, Teddington 1 Plough Place Middlesex TW11 0LW Cromwell Road, London SW7 5BD London EC4A1DE Tel: 020 8977 3222 Tel: +44 (0)20 7942 5478 Tel: 020 7438 2611 Website: www.npl.co.uk/contact-us Fax: +44 (0)20 7942 5075 Fax: 020 7438 2501 E-mail: [email protected] Email: [email protected] The National Physical Laboratory (NPL) is the United Website: www.nhm.ac.uk Website: www.nesta.org.uk Kingdom’s national measurement institute, an We maintain and develop the collections we care for and NESTA is the National Endowment for Science, Technology internationally respected and independent centre of excellence in research, development and use them to promote the discovery, understanding, and the Arts – an independent organisation with a mission responsible use and enjoyment of the natural world. to make the UK more innovative. It operates in three main knowledge transfer in measurement and materials ways: by investing in early-stage companies; informing We are part of the UK’s science base as a major science science. For more than a century, NPL has infrastructure which is used by our scientists and others from and shaping policy; and delivering practical programmes developed and maintained the nation’s primary across the UK and the globe working together to enhance that inspire others to solve the big challenges of the knowledge on the diversity of the natural world. future. NESTA’s expertise in this field makes it uniquely measurement standards - the heart of an Our value to society is vested in our research responses to qualified to understand how the application of innovative infrastructure designed to ensure accuracy, challenges facing the natural world today, in engaging our approaches can help the UK to tackle two of the biggest consistency and innovation in physical visitors in the science of nature, in inspiring and training the challenges it faces: the economic downturn and the measurement. next generation of scientists and in being a major cultural radical reform of public services. tourist destination.

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The Nutrition Society

Contact: Frederick Wentworth-Bowyer, Chief Executive, The Nutrition Society, PHARMAQ Ltd 10 Cambridge Court, 210 Shepherds Bush Road London W6 7NJ Contact: Dr Philip Wright Tel: +44 (0)20 7602 0228 Contact: Dr Benjamin P North Chief Executive Peer House, Verulam Street Fax: +44 (0)20 7602 1756 PHARMAQ Ltd Email: [email protected] London WC1X 8LZ www.nutritionsociety.org Unit 15 Sandleheath Industrial Estate Tel:+44 (0) 20 7269 5716 Fordingbridge Fax: +44 (0) 20 7269 5720 Founded in 1941, The Nutrition Society is the premier Hants SP6 1PA. scientific body dedicated to advance the scientific study E-mail: [email protected] of nutrition and its application to the maintenance of Tel: 01425 656081 Website: www.physoc.org human and animal health. Fax: 01425 657992 Highly regarded by the scientific community, the Society E-mail: [email protected] The Physiological Society brings together over 3000 is the largest learned society for nutrition in Europe. Website: www.pharmaq.no scientists from over 60 countries. Since its Membership is worldwide and is open to those with a Web shop: www.pharmaqwebshop.co.uk/shop foundation in 1876, our Members have made genuine interest in the science of human or animal significant contributions to the understanding of nutrition. Principal activities include: biological systems and the treatment of disease. The PHARMAQ is the only global pharmaceutical 1. Disseminating scientific information through its Society promotes physiology with the public and company with a primary focus on aquaculture. programme of scientific meetings and publications Parliament alike, and actively engages with policy Specialising in the manufacture and supply of 2. Publishing internationally renowned scientific learned makers. It supports physiologists by organising journals, and textbooks veterinary pharmaceuticals for the global world-class conferences and offering grants for 3. Promoting the education and training of nutritionists aquaculture industry including vaccines, research. It also publishes the latest developments in anaesthetics, antibiotics, sea lice treatments and 4. Engaging with external organisations and the public to the field in its two leading scientific journals, The promote good nutritional science biocide disinfectants. Journal of Physiology and Experimental Physiology.

Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew Prospect RBG Kew is a centre of global expertise in plant and fungal diversity, conservation and sustainable use Contact: Sue Ferns, housed in two world-class gardens. Kew receives Prospect Head of Research and Specialist approximately half of its funding from government through Defra. Kew’s Breathing Planet Programme has Services, New Prospect House Contact: Iffat Memon seven key priorities: 8 Leake St, London SE1 7NN Public Affairs Manager • Accelerating discovery and global access to plant Tel: 020 7902 6639 Fax: 020 7902 6637 The Royal Academy of Engineering and fungal diversity information E-mail: [email protected] 3 Carlton House Terrace • Mapping and prioritising habitats most at risk www.prospect.org.uk London SW1Y 5DG • Conserving what remains Prospect is an independent, thriving and forward- Tel: 020 7766 0653 • Sustainable local use looking trade union with 122,000 members across E-mail: [email protected] • Banking 25% of plant species in the Millennium the private and public sectors and a diverse range of Website: www.raeng.org.uk Seed Bank Partnership occupations. We represent scientists, technologists Founded in 1976, The Royal Academy of Engineering • Restoration ecology and other professions in the civil service, research • Inspiring through botanic gardens councils and private sector. promotes the engineering and technological welfare of the country. Our activities – led by the UK’s most Contact: The Director’s Office Prospect’s collective voice champions the interests of eminent engineers – develop the links between Tel: 020 8332 5112 the engineering and scientific community to key engineering, technology, and the quality of life. As a Fax: 020 8332 5109 opinion-formers and policy makers. With Email: [email protected] national academy, we provide impartial advice to Website: www.kew.org negotiating rights with over 300 employers, we seek Government; work to secure the next generation of to secure a better life at work by putting members’ engineers; and provide a voice for Britain’s Inspiring and delivering science-based plant pay, conditions and careers first. engineering community. conservation worldwide, enhancing the quality of life

The Royal The Royal Institution Society The Royal Society Contact: Dr Gail Cardew Contact: Dr Peter Cotgreave Director of Science and Education Director of Fellowship and Scientific Affairs of Chemistry The Royal Institution The Royal Society, 6-9 Carlton House Terrace 21 Albemarle Street, London W1S 4BS London SW1Y 5AG. Contact: Dr Neville Reed Tel: 020 7409 2992 Fax: 020 7670 2920 Tel: 020 7451 2502 Fax: 020 7930 2170 Managing Director, Science, Education and Industry E-mail: [email protected] Email: [email protected] Royal Society of Chemistry Website: www.rigb.org Website: www.royalsociety.org Thomas Graham House (290) Twitter: rigb_science Science Park Milton Road Cambridge CB4 0WF Tel. 01223 420066 The Royal Society is the UK academy of science The core activities of the Royal Institution centre Fax. 01223 423623 around four main themes: science education, comprising 1400 outstanding individuals Email: [email protected] science communication, research and heritage. It is representing the sciences, engineering and Website: http://www.rsc.org perhaps best known for the Ri Christmas Lectures, medicine. It has had a hand in some of the most http://www.chemsoc.org but it also has a major Public Events Programme innovative and life-changing discoveries in scientific The Royal Society of Chemistry is a learned, professional designed to connect people to the world of science, history. Through its Fellowship and permanent staff, and scientific body of over 46,000 members with a duty as well as a UK-wide Young People’s Programme of it seeks to ensure that its contribution to shaping under its Royal Charter “to serve the public interest”. It science and mathematics enrichment activities. is active in the areas of education and qualifications, Internationally recognised research programmes in the future of science in the UK and beyond has a science policy, publishing, Europe, information and bio- and nanomagnetism take place in the Davy deep and enduring impact. internet services, media relations, public understanding Faraday Research Laboratory. of science, advice and assistance to Parliament and Government.

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Society for Society Applied of Biology Microbiology Contact: Dariel Burdass Contact: Dr Stephen Benn Head of Communications Contact: Philip Wheat Director Parliamentary Affairs Society for General Microbiology Society for Applied Microbiology Charles Darwin House Bedford Heights, Brickhill Drive Marlborough House, Basingstoke Road, Spencers Wood, Reading RG7 1AG. 12 Roger Street Bedford MK41 7PH London WC1N 2JU Tel: 01234 326661 Tel: 0118 988 1802 Fax: 0118 988 5656 Fax: 01234 326678 E-mail: [email protected] Tel: 020 7685 2550 E-mail: [email protected] Website: www.sgm.ac.uk E-mail: [email protected] Website: www.sfam.org.uk SGM is the largest microbiological society in The Society of Biology has a duty under its Royal Europe. The Society publishes four journals of Charter “to serve the public benefit” by advising SfAM is the oldest UK microbiological society and international standing, and organises regular Parliament and Government is a single unified voice aims to advance, for the benefit of the public, the scientific meetings. for biology: advising Government and influencing science of microbiology in its application to the policy; advancing education and professional environment, human and animal health, agriculture SGM also promotes education and careers in development; supporting our members, and and industry. microbiology, and it is committed to represent microbiology to government, the media and the engaging and encouraging public interest in the life SfAM is the voice of applied microbiology with public. sciences. The Society represents a diverse members across the globe and works in partnership membership of over 80,000 - including, students, An information service on microbiological issues with sister organisations to exert influence on practising scientists and interested non- policy-makers world-wide. concerning aspects of medicine, agriculture, food safety, biotechnology and the environment is professionals - as individuals, or through learned available on request. societies and other organisations.

Society of Society of Universities Cosmetic Maritime Federation Scientists Industries for Animal Welfare Contact: John Murray Contact: Dr James Kirkwood Contact: Gem Bektas, Society of Maritime Industries Chief Executive and Scientific Director Secretary General 28-29 Threadneedle Street, The Old School, Brewhouse Hill Society of Cosmetic Scientists London EC2R 8AY Wheathampstead, Herts. AL4 8AN. Langham House West Tel: 020 7628 2555 Fax: 020 7638 4376 Tel: 01582 831818. Fax: 01582 831414. Suite 5, Mill Street, Luton LU1 2NA E-mail: [email protected] Email: [email protected] Tel: 01582 726661 Website: www.maritimeindustries.org Website: www.ufaw.org.uk Fax: 01582 405217 Registered in England Charity No: 207996 E-mail: [email protected] The Society of Maritime Industries is the voice of the UFAW is an international, independent scientific Website: www.scs.org.uk UK’s maritime engineering and business sector and educational animal welfare charity. It works to Advancing the science of cosmetics is the primary promoting and supporting companies which improve animal lives by: objective of the SCS. Cosmetic science covers a wide design, build, refit and modernise ships, and supply • supporting animal welfare research. range of disciplines from organic and physical equipment and services for all types of commercial chemistry to biology and photo-biology, dermatology, • educating and raising awareness of welfare microbiology, physical sciences and psychology. and naval ships, ports and terminals infrastructure, issues in the UK and overseas. offshore oil & gas, maritime security & safety, Members are scientists and the SCS helps them • producing the leading journal Animal Welfare progress their careers and the science of cosmetics marine science and technology and marine and other high-quality publications on animal care and welfare. ethically and responsibly. Services include renewable energy. publications, educational courses and scientific • providing expert advice to government meetings. departments and other concerned bodies.

Contact: Chris Eady The Welding Institute, Granta Park, Great Abington, Cambridge, CB21 6AL

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

The Welding Institute creates value and enhances quality of life for Members and stakeholders through engineering, materials and joining technologies.

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Research Councils UK Contact: Alexandra Saxon Head of Communications Research Councils UK Polaris House North Star Avenue Swindon SN2 1ET

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

Each year the Research Councils invest around £3 billion in research covering the full spectrum of academic disciplines from the medical and biological sciences to astronomy, physics, chemistry and engineering, social sciences, 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 the UK; • lead in shaping the overall portfolio of research funded by the Research Councils to maximise the excellence and impact of UK research, and help to ensure that the UK gets the best value for money from its investment; • ensure joined-up operations between the Research Councils to achieve its goals and improve services to the communities it sponsors and works with.

Biotechnology Economic and and Biological Social Research Sciences Research Council Council (BBSRC) Contact: Jacky Clake, Head of Communications, Contact: Jenny Aranha, Economic and Social Research Council, Public Affairs Manager, Contact: Matt Goode Polaris House, North Star Avenue, EPSRC, Polaris House, Head of External Relations Swindon SN2 1UJ North Star Avenue, Swindon SN2 1ET BBSRC, Polaris House, North Star Avenue Tel: 01793 413117 Tel: 01793 442892 Swindon SN2 1UH. Tel: 01793 413299 [email protected] E-mail: [email protected] E-mail: [email protected] http://www.esrc.ac.uk Website:www.epsrc.ac.uk Website: www.bbsrc.ac.uk The ESRC is the UK’s leading research and training EPSRC is the UK’s main agency for funding research agency addressing economic and social concerns. BBSRC invests in world-class bioscience research in engineering and physical sciences, investing We pursue excellence in social science research; and training on behalf of the UK public. Our aim is around £800m a year in research and postgraduate work to increase the impact of our research on training, to help the nation handle the next to further scientific knowledge to promote policy and practice; and provide trained social generation of technological change. economic growth, wealth and job creation and to scientists who meet the needs of users and The areas covered range from information beneficiaries, thereby contributing to the economic improve quality of life in the UK and beyond. BBSRC technology to structural engineering, and research is helping society to meet major competitiveness of the United Kingdom, the mathematics to materials science. This research effectiveness of public services and policy, and challenges, including food security, green energy forms the basis for future economic development in quality of life. The ESRC is independent, established the UK and improvements for everyone’s health, and healthier, longer lives and underpins important by Royal Charter in 1965, and funded mainly by lifestyle and culture. EPSRC works alongside other UK economic sectors, such as farming, food, government. Research Councils with responsibility for other areas industrial biotechnology and pharmaceuticals. of research.

Medical Natural Science & Research Environment Technology Council Research Council Facilities Council Contact: Sophie Broster-James, Public Contact: Judy Parker Mark Foster Affairs and External Comms Manager Head of Communications Public Affairs Manager 14th Floor, One Kemble Street, London Polaris House, North Star Avenue Rutherford Appleton Laboratory WC2B 4AN. Swindon SN2 1EU Harwell Science & Innovation Campus Tel: 020 7395 2275 Fax: 020 7395 2421 Tel: 01793 411646 Fax: 01793 411510 Didcot OX11 0QX E-mail: sophie.broster- E-mail: [email protected] Tel: 01235 778328 Fax: 01235 445 808 [email protected] Website: www.nerc.ac.uk E-mail: [email protected] Website: www.mrc.ac.uk Website: www.stfc.ac.uk The UK’s Natural Environment Research Council The Science and Technology Facilities Council is one of For almost 100 years, the MRC has been improving the funds and carries out impartial scientific research in health of people in the UK and around the world by Europe’s largest multidisciplinary research organisations the sciences of the environment. NERC trains the supporting scientists and engineers world-wide. The supporting the highest quality science on behalf of UK next generation of independent environmental Research Council operates world-class, large-scale taxpayers. We work closely with the UK’s Health scientists. research facilities and provides strategic advice to the Departments, the NHS, medical research charities and NERC funds research in universities and in a UK Government on their development. The STFC industry to ensure our research achieves maximum partners in two of the UK’s Science and Innovation impact as well as being of excellent scientific quality. network of its own centres, which include: Campuses. It also manages international research MRC-funded scientists have made some of the most British Antarctic Survey, British Geological projects in support of a broad cross-section of the UK significant discoveries in medical science – from the link Survey, Centre for Ecology and Hydrology, and research community, particularly in the fields of between smoking and cancer to the invention of National Oceanography Centre. astronomy, nuclear physics and particle physics. The Council directs, co-ordinates and funds research, therapeutic antibodies – benefiting millions of people. education and training.

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SCIENCE DIARY

THE PARLIAMENTARY AND Monday 28 May 18.30 – 20.00 Friday 25 May 20.00 – 21.15 SCIENTIFIC COMMITTEE Do we need friends? Free range chemistry: No added Café Scientifique with Professor Neil Macrae chemicals! Tel: 020 7222 7085 Tuesday 29 May 18.00 – 19.45 Peter Wothers [email protected] The search for a deeper understanding of Thursday 14 June 19.00 – 20.30 [email protected] our universe at the Large Hadron Collider Time warped www.scienceinparliament.org.uk International lecture by Professor Rolf-Dieter Claudia Hammond Tuesday 12 June Heuer, Director General of CERN Thursday 21 June 19.00 – 20.30 16.30 Annual General Meeting Wednesday 30 May 18.30 – 19.30 The long Earth 17.30 Discussion Meeting The mechanics of memory Sir Terry Pratchett and Stephen Baxter Animal Experiments Croonian Lecture 2012 by Professor Tim Friday 29 June 20.00 – 21.15 Tuesday 10 July 17.30 Bliss FRS The pointless universe Discussion Meeting Thursday 31 May to Sunday 10 June Michael Green British Scientific Advances in the last The Royal Society Platform at the Hay 60 years Tuesday 10 July 19.00 – 20.30 Festival The most human human Autumn Dates Tuesday 12 June to Sunday 17 June Brian Christian Tuesday 16 October 17.30 The Royal Society at Cheltenham Science Wednesday 11 July 19.00 – 20.30 Wednesday 31 October Annual Lunch Festival Imagining the past, remembering the Tuesday 6 November 17.30 Monday 18 and Tuesday 19 June future Tuesday 11 December 17.30 Photoactivatable metal complexes: from Charles Fernyhough ______theory to therapy Thursday 19 July 19.00 – 20.30 THE ROYAL SOCIETY Wednesday 20 and Thursday 21 June It’s not rocket science 6-9 Carlton House Terrace Photoactivatable metal complexes: Ben Miller London SW1Y 5AG exciting potential in biotechnology and ______medicine? Website: royalsociety.org THE LINNEAN SOCIETY OF The Royal Society hosts a series of free Thursday 21 and Friday 22 June LONDON Curiously Drawn: Early Modern Science events, including evening lectures and Burlington House as a Visual Pursuit conferences, covering the whole breadth of Piccadilly science, engineering and technology for Thursday 28 and Friday 29 June London W1J 0BF public, policy and scientific audiences. New frontiers in anisotropic fluid-particle Tel: +44 (0)20 7434 4479 ext 11 Events are held at the Royal Society’s offices composites Visit www.linnean.org for further details in London, at the Royal Society at Chicheley Tuesday 3 – Sunday 8 July Thursday 14 June 18.00 Hall – home of the Kavli Royal Society Summer Science Exhibition 2012 History of Coffee International Centre, and other venues. at The Royal Society, London Fernando Vega Many past events are available to watch or ______The Linnean Society of London listen to online at http://royalsociety.tv THE ROYAL INSTITUTION Thursday 21 June 18.30 For full details visit royalsociety.org/events: 21 Albemarle Street Withering – the English Linnaeus and the Until 20 June London W1S 4BS. Flowering of pharmacology Intersections: Henry Moore and Stringed All events take place at the Royal Institution. Peter Sheldon Surfaces For information and to book tickets visit Birmingham and Midland Institute An exhibition of science and art www.rigb.org

SCIENCE IN PARLIAMENT 3 Birdcage Walk OFFICERS OF THE PARLIAMENTARY London SW1H 9JJ & SCIENTIFIC COMMITTEE T: 020 7222 7085 sip F: 020 7222 7189 President: The Rt Hon the Lord Jenkin Dr Douglas Naysmith www.scienceinparliament.org.uk of Roding Dr Desmond Turner Editor: Professor Alan Malcolm Chairman: Mr Andrew Miller MP Mr Robert Key Editorial Assistant: Annabel Lloyd Deputy Chairman: Mr Tom Blenkinsop MP Mr Paul Ridout Hon Treasurer: The Lord Willis of Advisory Panel: Dr Robert Kirby-Harris The production of this issue has been supported by Knaresborough Mr Philip Greenish CBE contributions from the New Engineering Foundation, British In Dr Stephen Benn Hon Secretary: Mr Stephen Mosley MP Vitro Diagnostics Association, National Physical Laboratory and Secretariat: Professor Alan Malcolm Vice-Presidents: Dr David Dent those organisations which have entries in the Science Directory Professor Peter Saunders Mrs Annabel Lloyd (pages 56-64). Mr Robert Freer Professor Dame Julia King CBE FREng

Published by the Parliamentary and Scientific Committee, 3 Birdcage Walk, London SW1H 9JJ. Published four times a year. The 2012 subscription rate is £70.00. Single numbers £17.50 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 ©2012 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 Science in Parliament Vol 69 No 2 Whitsun 2012 65 otherwise without the prior written permission of the copyright owner. Typeset and printed by The Bridge Press. 10495 sip WHITSUN 2012 11/5/12 12:05 Page 68

Supporting climate research and a low carbon future Reducing uncertainties in climate data, underpinning carbon markets and accelerating innovation

www.npl.co.uk/carbon-measurement