Engineering UK 2020 Report

Total Page:16

File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb

Engineering UK 2020 Report Engineering UK 2020 Educational pathways into engineering Engineering UK 2020 Foreword Educational pathways into engineering Authors EngineeringUK would like to express sincere A central part of EngineeringUK’s work is to provide educators, policy-makers, industrialists and others with the most gratitude and special thanks to the following up-to-date analyses and insight. Since 2005, our EngineeringUK State of Engineering report has portrayed the breadth of Luke Armitage the sector, how it is changing and who is working within it, as well as quantifying students on educational pathways into Senior Research Analyst, EngineeringUK individuals, who contributed thought pieces or engineering and considering whether they will meet future workforce needs. Despite numerous changes of government Mollie Bourne acted as critical readers for this report: and educational policy, the 2008 recession and the advent of Brexit, the need for the UK to respond to the COVID-19 Research and Impact Manager, EngineeringUK Amanda Dickins pandemic has provided the most uncertain and challenging context to date for our research. Jess Di Simone Head of Impact and Development, STEM Learning Research Officer, EngineeringUK Teresa Frith Anna Jones Senior Skills Policy Manager, Association of Colleges Research Officer, EngineeringUK Ruth Gilligan Stephanie Neave Assistant Director for Equality Charters, AdvanceHE Our analyses for this report started before the pandemic • Ambitious plans to expand technical education are heavily Head of Research, EngineeringUK began. In light of the current and rapidly changing educational reliant on employers and may not have considered the Aimee Higgins environment, EngineeringUK has not sought to update our specific requirements of engineering. It will be even harder to Director of Employers and Partnerships, The Careers & findings. Instead,Educational Pathways into Engineering deliver industry placements in this time of economic Enterprise Company provides a comprehensive picture of where we were in early volatility and social distancing. Our dependency on Peter Mason 2020, detailing the trends in science, technology, engineering international staff and students in higher education, Policy Manager, EU research and innovation, Universities UK and maths (STEM) educational participation and attainment particularly in engineering, also makes the UK vulnerable to International across academic and technical pathways into engineering. the terms of departure from the EU – and this is more Rhys Morgan This intelligence is valuable for several reasons. First, it shows worrying in light of the pandemic. We must analyse these Director of Engineering and Education, Royal Academy of the encouraging progress made to this point. Across the UK, impacts on the education system and ensure it is fit to Engineering GCSE and A level entries in many engineering-facilitating cultivate the skills needed for the UK, now and into the future. Olly Newton subjects have been on the rise, as has the number of first Executive Director, Edge Foundation degree undergraduate entrants to engineering and technology We urge those in education, government and industry to work courses. Technical education reforms have centred on better together to foster the critical engineering and technology skills preparing students for the world of work, especially in areas for needed for the UK to be a leader in innovation and improve which there are skills shortages, such as STEM. societal and economic resilience and environmental But perhaps more importantly, this report highlights the sustainability. We hope our findings serve to inform these barriers that existed prior to the pandemic and that are now endeavours and thank all the organisations and individuals likely to make it more challenging to increase the number and who contributed invaluable insight – via critical review, case diversity of young people choosing engineering. Over the studies and thought pieces – to this report. coming months, we will need to work together to quickly EngineeringUK aims to grow the collective impact of work understand how the following issues are evolving and what across the sector to help young people understand what can be done to mitigate them: engineering is, how to get into it, and be motivated and able to • There is underrepresentation of certain groups progressing access the educational and training opportunities to pursue a into engineering, particularly female students and those career in the profession. from socioeconomically disadvantaged backgrounds. There Engineering is a varied, stimulating and valuable career and we are also unequal outcomes for those from minority ethnic need to work harder than ever to ensure that it is accessible for backgrounds that cannot be explained by typical factors. the current generation of young people – both for their own life School closures during the pandemic are likely to accentuate chances and so that we have a diverse and insightful workforce social disadvantages and introduce new ones. The use of that enables the UK to thrive. predicted grades risks embedding societal biases in student outcomes. Our focus must be on understanding what causes underrepresentation and tackling it at every educational stage. • Engineering has little curriculum presence and there is limited awareness and understanding of it among young people and their influencers.We must improve knowledge of engineering. We would also like to thank the organisations and individuals • We have an acute shortage of STEM teachers and they are Dr Hilary Leevers likely to experience new pressures and challenges in the year who provided case studies, a complete list of whom can be Chief Executive found at the back cover of this report. ahead. We need to support teachers and schools to deliver high quality STEM education and careers guidance. EngineeringUK Contents Executive Summary ......................1 3 – Further education and apprenticeships ................63 3.1 – Context ...............................64 1 – Harnessing the talent pool .........7 3.2 – The further education landscape ..........65 1.1 – Introduction .............................8 3.3 – T levels ...............................69 1.2 – STEM educational pathways: an overview ...10 3.4 – Higher technical qualifications ............74 1.3 – Facilitators and barriers in STEM educational choices ...............................14 3.5 – Teaching in the further education sector ....74 1.4 – Government strategies to plug the 3.6 – Apprenticeship reforms ..................77 skills gap ..............................27 3.7 – Apprenticeship trends in England ..........82 1.5 – Wider sector initiatives to increase STEM 3.8 – Apprenticeship trends in Scotland, participation ...........................29 Wales and Northern Ireland ...............93 1.6 – Summary ..............................32 4 – Higher education ..................101 2 – Secondary education ...............35 4.1 – Context ..............................102 2.1 – Context ...............................36 4.2 – Engineering and technology in higher education ............................105 2.2 – The secondary education landscape in England ...............................37 4.3 – Engineering and technology students by level of study .......................107 2.3 – STEM GCSEs in England, Wales and Northern Ireland ........................44 4.4 – Engineering and technology students by gender Context .....................114 2.4 – STEM National 5s in Scotland .............48 4.5 – Engineering and technology students 2.5 – STEM A levels in England, Wales and by ethnicity ...........................118 Northern Ireland ........................50 4.6 – Engineering and technology students 2.6 – STEM Highers and Advanced Highers by socioeconomic status ................122 in Scotland ............................53 4.7 – Engineering and technology students 2.7 – STEM teacher shortages .................55 by disability ...........................126 4.8 – Intersectionality .......................128 4.9 – Engineering and technology students by domicile ...........................130 Executive Summary Executive Summary Executive summary There is a widespread Young people often doubt their STEM education has the potential to address the UK engineering sector’s long-standing skills shortage. The extent to lack of awareness about ability to succeed in STEM. 62% which this potential is harnessed – and the next generation of engineers cultivated – depends on the educational engineering. 47% of 11 to of 16 to 17 year olds in the UK opportunities presented to young people and the choices they then make. 19 year olds said they knew 62% felt that subjects like science In recent years, there has been a strong policy emphasis on using education as a means to better prepare students for the little or almost nothing about and maths were more difficult world of work, especially in areas for which there are skills shortages, such as STEM. This report details the trends in what engineers do. than non-STEM subjects. STEM educational participation and attainment across both academic and technical pathways into engineering. It also highlights the progress that has been made and the future opportunities and challenges for the engineering community. become an engineer’ – and this figure has remained fairly subject options available to students, or by guiding students in education has declined as a result of the reforms. Factors influencing static over time. towards certain paths.
Recommended publications
  • The Story of a Rising Race
    This is a reproduction of a library book that was digitized by Google as part of an ongoing effort to preserve the information in books and make it universally accessible. https://books.google.com Thestoryofarisingrace JamesJeffersonPipkin COUNCIIA.W.H. SOMENOTEDEDUCATORSOFRACE.THECOLORED T.WASHINGTON.BOOKER WESLHYHOFFMAN.JOHN THE STORY OF A RISING RACE THE NEGRO IN REVELATION, IN HISTORY AND IN CITIZENSHIP WHAT THE RACE HAS DONE AND IS DOING ARMS, ARTS, LETTERS, THE PULPIT, THE FORUM, THE SCHOOL, THE MARTS OF TRADE WITH THOSE MIGHTY WEAPONS IN THE BATTLE OF LIFE THE SHOVEL AND THE HOE A MESSAGE TO ALL MEN THAT HE IS IN THE WAY TO SOLVE THE RACE PROBLEM EOR HIMSELF REV. J . J . WPKIK WITH INTRODUCTION BY GEN. JOHN B. GORDON Former Major-General Confederate Army, United States Senator from Georgia. Ex-Commander United Confederate Veterans, Author "War Reminiscences," Etc. ^ CatJogua Proe. (JOPYHTUHT, 1902, BY N. ]).THOMP»ON PUBLISHING OOMPAN V NOT A TERM OF REPROACH. Supposing that this term (negro) was originally used as a phrase of contempt, is it not wilh us to elevate it? How often has it not happened that names originally given in reproach have been afterward adopted as a title of honor by those against whom they were used, as Methodists, Quakers, etc. t But as a proof that no unfavorable signification attached to the word when first employed, I may mention that long before the slave trade began travelers found the blacks on the coast of Africa preferring to be called Negroes. And in all the pre- slave trade literature the word was spelled with a capital N.
    [Show full text]
  • Front Cover: Airbus 2050 Future Concept Aircraft
    AEROSPACE 2017 February 44 Number 2 Volume Society Royal Aeronautical www.aerosociety.com ACCELERATING INNOVATION WHY TODAY IS THE BEST TIME EVER TO BE AN AEROSPACE ENGINEER February 2017 PROPELLANTLESS SPACE DRIVES – FLIGHTS OF FANCY? BOOM PLOTS RETURN TO SUPERSONIC FLIGHT INDIA’S NAVAL AIR POWER Have you renewed your Membership Subscription for 2017? Your membership subscription was due on 1 January 2017. As per the Society’s Regulations all How to renew: membership benefits will be suspended where Online: a payment for an individual subscription has Log in to your account on the Society’s www.aerosociety.com not been received after three months of the due website to pay at . If you date. However, this excludes members paying do not have an account, you can register online their annual subscriptions by Direct Debits in and pay your subscription straight away. monthly installments. Additionally members Telephone: Call the Subscriptions Department who are entitled to vote in the Society’s AGM on +44 (0)20 7670 4315 / 4304 will lose their right to vote if their subscription has not been paid. Cheque: Cheques should be made payable to the Royal Aeronautical Society and sent to the Don’t lose out on your membership benefits, Subscriptions Department at No.4 Hamilton which include: Place, London W1J 7BQ, UK. • Your monthly subscription to AEROSPACE BACS Transfer: Pay by Bank Transfer (or by magazine BACS) into the Society’s bank account, quoting • Use of your RAeS post nominals as your name and membership number. Bank applicable details: • Over 400 global events yearly • Discounted rates for conferences Bank: HSBC plc • Online publications including Society News, Sort Code: 40-05-22 blogs and podcasts Account No: 01564641 • Involvement with your local branch BIC: MIDLGB2107K • Networking opportunities IBAN: GB52MIDL400522 01564641 • Support gaining Professional Registration • Opportunities & recognition with awards and medals • Professional development and support ..
    [Show full text]
  • Geopolitical Cultures of Outer Space: the British Interplanetary Society, 1933-1965
    View metadata, citation and similar papers at core.ac.uk brought to you by CORE provided by Queen's University Research Portal Geopolitical Cultures of Outer Space: The British Interplanetary Society, 1933-1965 Dunnett, O. (2017). Geopolitical Cultures of Outer Space: The British Interplanetary Society, 1933-1965. DOI: 10.1080/14650045.2016.1247267 Published in: Geopolitics Document Version: Peer reviewed version Queen's University Belfast - Research Portal: Link to publication record in Queen's University Belfast Research Portal Publisher rights Copyright 2016 Taylor & Francis. This work is made available online in accordance with the publisher’s policies. Please refer to any applicable terms of use of the publisher. General rights Copyright for the publications made accessible via the Queen's University Belfast Research Portal is retained by the author(s) and / or other copyright owners and it is a condition of accessing these publications that users recognise and abide by the legal requirements associated with these rights. Take down policy The Research Portal is Queen's institutional repository that provides access to Queen's research output. Every effort has been made to ensure that content in the Research Portal does not infringe any person's rights, or applicable UK laws. If you discover content in the Research Portal that you believe breaches copyright or violates any law, please contact [email protected]. Download date:09. Sep. 2018 Geopolitical Cultures of Outer Space: The British Interplanetary Society, 1933-1965 Oliver Dunnett, Queen’s University Belfast Post-print version of article submitted to Geopolitics Introduction British involvement in spaceflight has, in recent years, been the subject of increased interest in popular and scientific circles, driven by events such as the British astronaut Major Tim Peake’s stay on the International Space Station in 2015-16, British scientists’ involvement in the European Space Agency’s ‘Philae’ comet lander project in 2014, and the establishment of a UK Space Agency in 2010.
    [Show full text]
  • Chemistry for All Reducing Inequalities in Chemistry Aspirations and Attitudes
    Chemistry for All Reducing inequalities in chemistry aspirations and attitudes Institute of Education 2 Chemistry for All Reducing inequalities in chemistry aspirations and attitudes Findings from the Chemistry for All research and evaluation programme November 2020 Authors Dr Tamjid Mujtaba Dr Richard Sheldrake Professor Michael J. Reiss UCL Institute of Education, University College London Acknowledgements The authors would like to thank the students and staff from across the participating schools. The authors would also like to thank the Chemistry for All programme delivery teams and members of the programme steering group. The research was conducted independently by the UCL Institute of Education with funding from the Royal Society of Chemistry. For further information For further information on the Chemistry for All project, including requests for related publications or the next phase of the work, please contact Dr Tamjid Mujtaba ([email protected]). 3 1. Executive summary 5 9.3. Results for science as of Year 11 82 1.1. Background and context 6 9.3.1. Predicting students’ science aspirations 1.2. Chemistry for All programme 7 (A-Level, university, jobs) as of Year 11 82 1.3. Research and evaluation programme 7 9.3.2. Predicting students’ science aspirations for A-Level as of Year 11 85 CONTENTS 1.4. Research results and insights 8 1.4.1. Insights into students’ changing attitudes and aspirations 8 9.3.3. Predicting students’ science aspirations for careers as of Year 11 86 1.4.2. Insights into students’ attitudes and views 9 9.3.4. Predicting students’ science aspirations for university 1.4.3.
    [Show full text]
  • Science and Stormont Monday 10 October 2016 Antimicrobial Resistance
    Science and Stormont Monday 10 October 2016 Antimicrobial Resistance Programme Senate Chamber & the Long Gallery, Parliament Buildings, Stormont 12:30pm : Registrations, exhibition & light refreshments 3:45pm : TEA BREAK The Long Gallery 4:15pm : Panel two 1:45pm : Proceed to the Senate Chamber for the Afternoon Tackling Antimicrobial Resistance - Presentations A Multidisciplinary Approach 2:00pm : Opening Address Dr Patrick Dunlop, Lecturer in Engineering Naomi Long MLA, Chair, Northern Ireland Materials (NIBEC), Ulster University and Chair NI Assembly All-Party Group on Science and AMR Network Technology Natural alternatives to antibiotics Prof Paul Ross, Head of College of Science 2:05pm : Welcome and introduction Engineering and Food Science, University College Prof Sir John Holman, President, Royal Society of Cork Chemistry Tackling AMR, an Industry Perspective 2:15pm : Together against the bugs: scientific and political Dr Robert Grundy, Co-Chair Life and Health leadership on a mission Sciences, Department for the Economy’s MATRIX Dr Michael McBride, Chief Medical Officer, panel Northern Ireland 5:15pm : MLA Panel 2:40pm : Session Chair Naomi Long MLA, Chair, Northern Ireland Dr Geetha Srinivasan, Queen’s University Belfast, Assembly All-Party Group on STEM and member, Royal Society of Chemistry Steve Aiken OBE MLA, Vice Chair, All-Party Group 2:45pm : Panel one on STEM Antibiotic use in care homes Caoimhe Archibald MLA, Vice Chair, All-Party Prof Michael Tunney, Chair in Clinical Pharmacy, Group on STEM School of Pharmacy, Queen’s
    [Show full text]
  • Brian Harvey
    Leibniz Online, Nr. 43 (2021) Zeitschrift der Leibniz-Sozietät der Wissenschaften zu Berlin e. V. ISSN 1863-3285 Brian Harvey 40. Jahrestag der Gründung des Instituts für Kosmosforschung – eine persönliche Reflexion* Deutsch von Jacqueline Myrrhe Veröffentlicht: 25. Juni 2021 Als ein Raumfahrtfan von jungen Jahren, führte ich ein handschriftliches Tagebuch über die wichtigsten Ereignisse in der Raumfahrt – eine Aufzeichnung, die mir bis heute als wertvoller Beleg der Zeitgeschichte dient. Allerdings, es gibt keinen Eintrag für den 1. April 1981, dem Gründungsdatum der Raumfahrtorganisation der Deutschen Demokratischen Republik (DDR), d. h. des Instituts für Kosmosforschung (IKF). Der Flug von Sigmund Jähn zu Saljut 6 zwei Jahre zuvor und auch die Teilnahme der DDR am Interkosmos-Programm war den meisten westlichen Beobachtern und Raumfahrtfans bekannt. Aber das war es auch schon. Denn da ist kein Tagebucheintrag für den 1. April 1981. Jahre später, bei der Recherche für das neue Buch „European-Russian cooperation in space – from de Gaulle to ExoMars“ in dem es um das Thema Raumfahrtkooperation zwischen Europa und Russland geht, bin ich hier und da durch einige flüchtige Verweise auf „das IKF” gestoßen. Ich war von der Existenz einer Raumfahrtorganisation in der DDR überrascht und noch mehr darüber, dass das IKF ein bedeutendes, eigenständiges Programm durchgeführt hatte; dass es der Bundesrepublik der 1990er ein erhebliches Erbe hinterlassen hat; dass es ein wesentlicher Baustein für die folgende europäisch- russische Zusammenarbeit war; und dass es auf mysteriöse Weise aus den historischen Aufzeichnungen verschwunden war. Für einen Historiker ist es immer wichtig, darauf zu achten, auf welche Art und Weise Geschichte im Nachhinein rekonstruiert wird.
    [Show full text]
  • Third Generation GÉANT Launched New JANET
    Number 10 December 2009 JANETNews Third Generation GÉANT Launched page 3 New JANET Certificate Service page 5 Focus On: Network Access page 8 Contents Editorial When JANET began 25 years ago it linked a collection of university and News 3 Research Council sites. The cables that physically created the JANET Third generation GÉANT3 launched backbone went into specific locations, therefore that was where JANET Support for Internet Watch Foundation users had to be to get JANET access. Even then no one thought that education and research are just about JANET Roaming Update learning in an ivory tower. Sometimes the ivory tower must be left behind. Launch of New JANET Certificate Service People need to get out of the office to collaborate, or research in the field, N3 JANET Gateway Upgrade Ordered or simply access information and other IT resources not available locally. Access to information could be solved by inter-library loans, possibly taking Development 6 up to a couple of weeks; access to other IT resources could mean a visit to the regional or national computing centre to get at data and processing Internationalised Top Level Domains power, or possibly having to send data and programmes in the post and The Future of Ultra HD getting output back in the same way. (In 1974 the academic world was spending at least £15,000 per annum on courier services, swapping data Focus On: Network Access 8 on disc or tape by the vanful: poor latency but an excellent data rate.) The Network Access Focus fact remained that even simply going home in the evening could inevitably Rural communities benefit from Mobile Learning cut you off from the network.
    [Show full text]
  • The Case for a Gender Lens in STEM THROUGH BOTH Eyes: the Case for a Gender Lens in STEM ‘Think of a Gender Lens As Putting on Spectacles
    THE CASE FOR A GENDER LENS IN STEM THROUGH BOTH eyes: The case for a gender lens in STEM ‘Think of a gender lens as putting on spectacles. Out of one lens of the spectacles, you see the participation, needs and realities of women. Out of the other lens, you see the participation, needs and realities of men. Your sight or vision is the combination of what each eye sees.’ 2 contents Contents EXECUTive summary 4 1.0 introduction 7 2.0 Challenges 8 3.0 Solutions 23 Sir Peter Luff MP: A Call to Action 49 References 50 Authorship & Credits 51 ‘The country urgently needs more young people with STEM qualifications, which means we have to get more girls and women involved. This should be at the heart of education and skills policy – it isn’t an optional extra left to a few passionate enthusiasts. We have to make it everyone’s business’ Helen Wollaston, Director WISE ‘Our research shows that it is harder for girls to balance, or reconcile, their interest in science with femininity. The solution won’t lie in trying to change girls. The causes are rooted in, and perpetuated by, wider societal attitudes and social structures. We also need to think about the whole structure of our education system in England, which essentially channels children into narrow ‘tracks’ from a young age’ Professor Louise Archer, Director of ASPIRES, ‘The lack of girls and women in STEM blights lead coordinatior of TISME our society and our economy. There is no single solution, which is why I am glad to see that Sciencegrrl have come forward with a wide range of recommendations covering education, careers and the broader cultural challenges’ Chi Onwurah, MP for Newcastle upon Tyne ‘We are working to maximise employer engagement to help put science and maths in a careers context.
    [Show full text]
  • Janet Browne
    Janet Browne 1. Personal details Janet Elizabeth Bell Browne History of Science Department Harvard University Science Center 371 1 Oxford Street Cambridge MA 02138, USA Tel: 001-617-495-3550 Email: [email protected] 2. Education and degrees B.A.(Mod) Natural Sciences, Trinity College Dublin, 1972. M.Sc. History of Science, Imperial College, London, 1973. Ph.D. History of Science, Imperial College, London, 1978, “Charles Darwin and Joseph Dalton Hooker: studies in the history of biogeography”. (Keddey-Fletcher Warr Scholarship of the University of London, 1975-78; British Academy 3 year PhD studentship) MA (Hon) Harvard University, 2006 Honorary DSc Trinity College Dublin, 2009 3. Professional History 1978--79, Visiting researcher, History of Science Department, Harvard University. 1979--80, Wellcome Fellow, Wellcome Institute for the History of Medicine, London. 1980--83, Research Assistant (3 year staff appointment), Wellcome Institute/ University College, London. 1983--91, Associate Editor of Correspondence of Charles Darwin and Senior Research Associate, Cambridge University Library (1990--91). 1983--93, Part-time Lecturer, MSc History of Science, UCL/Wellcome Institute for the History of Medicine, London. 1 1993, Lecturer in History of Biology, Wellcome Centre for the History of Medicine, London. 1996, Reader in History of Biology, University College London. 1996-7, Senior Visiting Research Fellow King’s College Cambridge (stipendiary, by open competition). 2002, Professor in the History of Biology, University College London. 2006- present Aramont Professor in the History of Science, Harvard University 2008- 12 Senior Research Editor USA, Darwin Correspondence Project 2009-14 Harvard College Professor (for excellence in undergraduate teaching) 2009 Assistant chair, Department History of Science, Harvard University, 2010- Chair, Department History of Science, Harvard University 4.
    [Show full text]
  • Space and Satellites
    House of Commons Science and Technology Select Committee inquiry on Space and Satellites Response to the inquiry, 29 January 2016 This evidence is submitted by the Royal Academy of Engineering. As the UK’s national academy for engineering, we bring together the most successful and talented engineers from across the engineering sectors for a shared purpose: to advance and promote excellence in engineering. The views described in this response were assembled through consultation with our Fellows. These include experts in space engineering from industry and academia. Introduction 1. Since the publication of the UK Space Innovation and Growth Strategy 2014-2030, the government has picked up many of the recommendations, which has galvanised the industry. The success of the strategy is illustrated by the high annual growth figure of 7.3%1 reported in 2014. Furthermore, this is a high-productivity industry whose expansion aligns well with the objectives of the government’s Productivity Plan and which is well placed to capitalise on the UK’s strengths in IT, the digital economy and finance for investment. 2. Overseas companies perceive the UK as a good place to locate their business and inward investment is happening. This positive perception is a direct result of the UK’s clear long- term strategy, the creation of the UK Space Agency, European Space Agency (ESA) investment to establish a presence in the UK, the broader business environment, a strong technology base and the availability of entrepreneurial and highly-skilled people to employ. 3. The Academy welcomes government’s continuing support represented by the recent National Space Policy and recognition of the cross-cutting nature of space across a huge range of government departments and agencies.
    [Show full text]
  • Duncan Sandys, Unmanned Weaponry, and the Impossibility of Defence
    View metadata, citation and similar papers at core.ac.uk brought to you by CORE provided by University of East Anglia digital repository 1 Nuclear Belief Systems and Individual Policy-Makers: Duncan Sandys, Unmanned Weaponry, and the Impossibility of Defence Lewis David Betts This thesis is submitted for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy at the University of East Anglia (School of History, Faculty of Arts and Humanities) November, 2014 This copy of the thesis has been supplied on condition that anyone who consults it is understood to recognise that its copyright rests with the author and that use of any information derived there from must be in accordance with current UK Copyright Law. In addition, any quotation or extract must include full attribution. 2 This thesis attempts to explore the influence that Duncan Sandys' experiences of the Second World War had on his policy preferences, and policy-making, in relation to British defence policy during his years in government. This is a significant period in British nuclear policy which began with thermonuclear weaponry being placed ostentatiously at the centre of British defence planning in the 1957 Defence White Paper, and ended with the British acquiring the latest American nuclear weapon technology as a consequence of the Polaris Sales Agreement. It also saw intense discussion of the nature and type of nuclear weaponry the British government sought to wield in the Cold War, with attempts to build indigenous land-based intercontinental ballistic missiles, and where British nuclear policy was discussed in extreme depth in government. The thesis explores this area by focusing on Duncan Sandys and examining his interaction with prominent aspects of the defence policy-making process.
    [Show full text]
  • Not for People Like Me?” Under-Represented Groups in Science, Technology and Engineering a Summary of the Evidence: the Facts, the Fiction and What We Should Do Next
    Sponsored by a campaign to promote women in science, technology W I S E and engineering “Not for people like me?” Under-represented groups in science, technology and engineering A summary of the evidence: the facts, the fiction and what we should do next Author Professor Averil Macdonald South East Physics Network November 2014 W I S E Contents 3 Foreword 5 Introduction 6 Highlights A summary of evidence on STEM uptake by under-represented groups: 8 Where are we? 11 Does it matter? 12 So why do students from some backgrounds reject physics and engineering? 1 5 If we want to focus on under-represented groups, how do they differ from the majority group – white middle class boys? 19 What are the important factors in influencing choice for under-represented groups? 21 What can be done to make STEM qualifications and careers more attractive? 25 What works and what doesn’t in schools? 26 The importance of self-identity and 10 types of scientist 29 Appendix: Recommendations from WISE about what works for girls 30 Women working in STEM: the changes from 2012 to 2014 2 “Not for people like me?” Under-represented groups in science, technology and engineering W I S E Foreword etwork Rail is delighted to be working To enable girls to picture themselves in STEM Nwith WISE and Professor Averil roles, we need to help them to reconcile the Macdonald, Diversity Lead for the South East conflict between their self-identity and their Physics Network, to help make STEM for perception of STEM careers. In the report Averil people like me.
    [Show full text]