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SCIENCE IN PARLIAMENT

Parliamentary Links Day Science and Diversity

sip SUMMER 2013

The Journal of the Parliamentary and Scientific Committee www.scienceinparliament.org.uk sip SUMMER 2013 5/7/13 08:37 Page 2 sip SUMMER 2013 5/7/13 08:37 Page 3

“What goes up must come down”, and presumably the SCIENCE IN PARLIAMENT converse is also true.

So the FTSE went down, and is now back up. Gold went up and has recently declined.

These numbers affect many, but not all of us.

Of even greater impact in the longer term for all on the planet is the atmospheric CO2 concentration, and this is rising inexorably. sip We have little expectation that it will decline in the foreseeable The Journal of the Parliamentary and Scientific future. Andrew Miller MP Committee. The Committee is an Associate Parliamentary In May it finally broached the “psychological” 400ppm barrier. We Chairman, Parliamentary and Scientific Group of members of both Houses of know from analysis of air bubbles trapped in ice to expect Committee Parliament and British members of the average temperatures to rise by as much as 2ºC as a European Parliament, representatives of scientific and technical institutions, industrial consequence. It is predicted that this may happen as early as organisations and universities. 2035. The undesirable consequences have been widely publicised, as the need to reduce our dependence on burning fossil fuels, including the recently welcomed shale oil and gas. Increasing the efficiency of tidal and wind power, as well as photovoltaic, remain important scientific challenges.

Alfred Russel Wallace, the centenary of whose death we are commemorating this year, would have been fascinated by this uncontrolled experiment in changing the environment, and then Science in Parliament has two main objectives: 1. to inform the scientific and industrial observing which of the fittest survive. communities of activities within Parliament of a scientific nature and of the progress of While mankind as a species will make it through, there will be relevant legislation; many who will suffer from increased drought conditions, and 2. to keep Members of Parliament abreast of scientific affairs. changes in seasonal temperatures and rainfall. We will undoubtedly need to step up our research into new crops able to cope with the new weather conditions. Fortunately, we have recently had public statements from both Owen Paterson (Defra) and David Willetts (Science), advocating that the UK (and indeed the rest of Europe) need to abandon their blanket opposition to the exploitation of GM crops. Where BRIC (Brazil, Russia, India, China) leads Britain will eventually follow!

CONTENTS

WIND FARM NOISE ASSESSMENTS 2 SPEED 21 WATER PURITY: MICROBIAL ASPECTS, ESPECIALLY David Unwin and Richard Cox National Science and Engineering Week Seminar CRYPTOSPORIDIUM 42 Professor Rachel Chalmers UNDERGROUND COAL GASIFICATION 4 Addresses to the P&SC by Dr Michael de Podesta, Dr Michael B Green Dr Andrew Spence and Professor Alistair Fitt HOUSE OF COMMONS SELECT COMMITTEE ON SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY 44 PHYSICS AND CHEMISTRY SHOW THEIR WORTH 6 AN OASIS IN THE DESERT 27 Dr Beth Taylor Dominic McAllister HOUSE OF LORDS SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY SELECT COMMITTEE 46 DO QUALITY, INNOVATION AND PERFORMANCE UK SCIENCE AND INNOVATION NETWORK IN USA COMPETE OR COMPLEMENT? 8 29 HOUSE OF COMMONS LIBRARY SCIENCE AND ENVIRONMENT SECTION 47 Professor Sa’ad Medhat and Dr Sarah Peers EQUIPPING THE YOUNG FOR LIFE IN WORK 31 ENGINEERING TOMORROW’S WORLD 10 Ian Morris PARLIAMENTARY OFFICE OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY 49 Professor David Delpy SKILLS 32 SELECTED DEBATES 51 HOW MUCH FOOD TESTING DO WE NEED? 10 Address to the P&SC by Dr Julian Braybrook Addresses to the P&SC by Dr Duncan Campbell, WATER PURITY 34 SCIENCE DIRECTORY 52 Elizabeth Moran and Dr Patrick Miller Addresses to the P&SC by Clive Harward, Kevin Prior and SCIENCE DIARY 60 100 YEARS OF THE BRITISH ECOLOGICAL SOCIETY Professor Helen Jarvie Julie Hodgkinson 18 HOW WELL IS WATER? 40 SUPPORTING EXCELLENCE IN EDUCATION 20 Dr Dan Osborn Dr Mark Jones

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WIND FARM NOISE ASSESSMENTS: ETSU-R-97 and The Three Legged Stool

remains unchanged but the size height of 1.2-1.5m above direction, for example in places of the turbines now being ground. The screening effect where the noise climate is installed has increased close to a façade can result in dominated by road traffic and so dramatically with hub heights of background noise around 3dB determined by wind direction 80m and rotors of 45m radius lower than at a free-field location and time of day. with correspondingly very whereas reflection of a specific Figure 1 shows an example different noise generation noise such as from a turbine of how ETSU suggests these profiles. can be 3dB higher, giving up to background data are to be a 6dB difference in the Wind turbine noise can be processed. The measured noise developer’s favour by using the masked by existing background is plotted against the average free-field location. David Unwin is a retired academic noise, so ETSU compares the wind speed over the same and Emeritus Professor in Geography, Birkbeck, University of predicted turbine noise at each Similarly, to prevent 10-minute time intervals. It is by London. at risk property with the derived contamination of the data by no means unusual for the background noise at these same wind induced noise, measured background noise at locations over a range of winds microphones should be any one wind speed to show a from around 2m/s (a light adequately shielded but in range of up to 20dB around the breeze) to 10-12m/s (a strong practice this is almost never average, equating to a possible breeze) at 10m above ground. If done. Wind induced noise is doubling or halving of the the turbine noise exceeds the impossible to identify in loudness. This entire data scatter background by 5dB then the measured noise data and will is then summarised by a ‘best property concerned is always work in the developer’s fit’ (average) curve and the considered to be at risk. The favour. All this measurement curve value at each whole entire assessment process is uncertainty is compounded by number wind speed is taken for complex, requiring an the recommended practice of comparison with the predicted Richard Cox is a retired electrical understanding of basic acoustics, taking data over a very limited turbine noise. engineer. meteorology and statistical time period of perhaps only two Both write in a private capacity. analysis. Clearly, it is important weeks giving an absurdly limited There is no science to guide that this process should be sample of the annual noise the choice of curve and almost based on secure and proven climate at each site. any curve that gives a statistically English planning law does science, yet the science or lack Furthermore, it is increasingly reasonable fit can be used. This not mandate any set separation of it behind the assessment being realised that many isn’t science or statistics, and distance between wind turbines process is increasingly coming assessments should be sometimes the result is just and dwellings, with the under fire from engineers and modified to account for wind plain silly 3. In Figure 1 the curve minimum separation set by use scientists from different fields 2. of a sixteen-year-old noise In essence the ETSU assessment methodology. In the methodology is a three legged mid-1990s the wind energy stool. The first leg is the industry persuaded the then DTI measurement of the to replace the usual regulatory background noise at various framework for industrial noise wind speeds, the second is the assessment (BS4142) with an predictions of the turbine noise, alternative called ETSU1 and the third is the comparative specifically and only for wind analysis of these data. For the turbines. Turbines being built first, rather than at the façade of during the mid-1990s were any at risk property, ETSU asks typically of 30-40m hub height for microphone measurement in with rotors of around 25m a nearby ‘free field’ location at a radius. Sixteen years on, ETSU Figure 1: A typical summary plot for wind farm background noise data

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suggests that in still air at the shear that gives the predicted any analysis in the academic estimate that the ETSU dead of night in a very quiet 80m wind speed as some literature of the climatology and assessment methodology has a rural location there is a standard multiple of that geography of wind shear, but total uncertainty of around 9dB background noise of 32dB measured at, say, 10m. This our analysis of mast data at four in the headroom between when 20-25dB would be typical. ignores years of meteorological sites across the Midlands background and predicted More worryingly still, due to the experience. More recently wind suggests that what are normally turbine noise. averaging process, at most wind power developers have been considered to be high values are WHY THIS MATTERS speeds there is a wide range of measuring wind shear but are found to occur for roughly 10% measured values that can either applying shear corrections based of the time, usually during the Today, industrial wind double or halve the value that on average values, not worst evening and night time. ETSU’s turbines measuring in excess of will be carried forward into the case situations where high shear failure properly to factor this 125m to rotor tip are being sited comparison. Worst case can occur for significant periods variation into a noise less than 500m from adjacent situations of low background of time. assessment results in both an residential properties, a process noise levels are essentially The correct way to estimate under-prediction of the wind justified by citing noise ignored. hub height wind speed is to speed at the hub (and thus assessments that show them to The second leg of the stool is measure wind speeds from a turbine noise) and an over- be ‘ETSU compliant’ but with equally unsupported by science. meteorological mast at a series prediction close to the ground ‘headroom’ of less than 3dB ETSU uses the turbine of heights to find the so-called (and thus greater masking noise and even less than 1dB. This is 4 manufacturer’s noise output shear exponent that quantifies than is the case). This doubly lunacy . Given the uncertainties data as an input into a very the change in speed with height disadvantages anyone living near and scope for error associated simple model based on the for each and every period for the turbine and the result is with this ageing and eccentric ISO9613-2 standard to estimate which data exist and then use almost certainly for wind farms assessment methodology we the noise propagation at this to estimate the hub height to be consented at shorter would not be surprised to see a distance. This standard was wind speed. Figure 2 plots the separation distances than are substantial increase in turbine- designed for low height, non- shear exponent (alpha) against safe. related noise complaints in years wind speed dependant wind speed for a year’s worth of to come. Underlying all these concerns stationary noise sources where data at a meteorological mast in is a single issue that must be of wind shear, turbulence and the Midlands. References concern for the integrity of the wake effects are not significant. 1: ESU-R-97 (1996) The Assessment And Clearly, there is a spread of third leg of the stool in which Despite claims to the contrary, Rating Of Noise From Wind Farms wind shear exponents at each these two data sets are (ITSY for the dti) 153 pages ISO9613-2 has never been and every wind speed (negative compared. ETSU seems to independently and properly 2: For more details of the arguments in validated for use with modern this note see Cox, R., Unwin, D. and T Sherman (2012) Wind farm noise tall turbines in high wind shear assessment: where ETSU is silent, 41 conditions. ISO 9613 predicts a pages, and Cox, R. and Unwin D. with +/-3dB level of prediction Bingham, D. and R. Greenough (2013) uncertainty for the conditions for The ‘Bad Science’ behind Wind Turbine Noise Guidance (Powerpoint which it is valid, but, for high Presentation, 86 slides with notes). level noise sources under high Both are available from the author at wind shear, turbulence and high [email protected] wind speeds the degree of 3: Greenough, R and D Unwin (2013) A prediction uncertainty is likely to neglected source of uncertainty in be significantly greater. potential wind farm noise assessment using the ETSU_R-97 process. The rate of change of wind (Accepted for publication in Acoustics speed with height, known as Bulletin, May 2013) wind shear, enters into these 4: The Institute of Acoustics recognised assessment predictions twice. these concerns and reconvened a wind industry-dominated working group to Figure 2 First, through its effect via the develop draft a Good Practice Guide to refraction of the sound waves, it the process. Regrettably, the result, plays a major role in the values imply that the wind assume that the entire process launched in late May does not address propagation of outdoor noise, an decreases rather than increases contains no scientific error or any of the fundamental issues raised in this note. effect not considered by the with height), much of which is uncertainty. If true, this must current guidance. Second it due to a diurnal cycle in which make wind turbine acoustics the affects the wind speeds at the shear is at maximum at only exact science known to different heights used in the night in calm, settled conditions mankind other than hindsight. final comparison. ETSU assumes and at a minimum around Using conservative estimates of a constant and low level of wind midday. We are not aware of the error at each step we

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UNDERGROUND COAL GASIFICATION - Burning coal in situ and storing CO2

Underground coal The mainland of Britain still resources, particularly under river gasification, first tested in the has an estimated 100BT of estuaries and nearshore, and Durham Coal field in 1910, is useable black coal and identified the Firth of Forth as a the partial burning of the in-situ considerably more under the leading demonstration coal seam to produce a usable North Sea1, but coal production opportunity for an industrial gas for heat and power by traditional mining methods consortium to exploit UCG in generation (figure 1). The has decreased to 17.1MT/y in the UK. process has been demonstrated 2012, while coal imports in over 60 pilots throughout the increased by 37% to 44MT/y. world and a UCG power plant UCG is in a position to make a

Dr Michael B Green from the Soviet era has been major contribution to Britain’s Director, UCG Engineering Ltd operating in Uzbekistan for 40 energy supply; bringing security years. Recently a revival of of supply, high efficiency interest has occurred in the coal combined cycle gas turbine producing countries of Europe, generation (CCGT) and Asia, Australasia, North America independence from overseas and S Africa for power suppliers of fuel or technology. generation, hydrocarbons and The UK initiative on the chemical production, driven by feasibility of UCG (2000-2004) security of supply, advances in conducted by the then UK drilling technology and the Department of Trade and Figure 2: Exploration Areas for UCG potential for lower cost Industry (now DECC) examined (2012, courtesy UCG Ass) production. the environmental impact, coal A variety of companies, The UK did its own UCG resource, advanced drilling mainly UK and Australian have trials in the 1950s, it participated technology, economics and since taken up the challenge of in the EU trials of 1990s, and public perception of UCG in the UCG in the UK, and London 2 UK companies and universities UK . It concluded that UCG with also hosts the UCG Association are currently involved in CCS has the potential for the annual conferences, training commercial and research exploitation of UK coal courses and worldwide projects in China, India and the information service on UCG. EU. Furthermore, the UK Coal Authority leads most other countries in the licensing of UCG and has issued more than 18 provisional exploration licences for UCG in estuaries and offshore coal fields since 2008 (figure 2) in places like the Firth of Forth, the Humber and Swansea Bay. The Welsh Government and the North East Region continue to support UCG development in their areas.

South Africa has become the new focus for commercial UCG. The largest company Eskom, Figure 1: UCG with CCS for Power Generation and the petrochemical giant

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Sasol announced in June 2013 steam, could achieve hydrogen the formation of a one billion levels in excess of 70%, thereby Rand (£63M) joint UCG . . . the UK Coal Authority leads most partially decarbonising the development programme and a other countries . . . product gas without expensive major African coal mining acid gas separation techniques. company has committed £13M The project has recently been for the licensing of UCG these technologies in the UK, a lower cost than for competing extended as HUGE2. technology for sub-Saharan due to the current economic gas and coal alternatives. The Another exciting area, with commercial UCG projects. climate, but projects are moving resultant pipeline CO2 is then application to UCG, is the oxy- Roman Abramovich has recently forward overseas. available for underground firing of gas turbines, described announced an agreement to storage or use in enhanced oil Advances in technology by as a potential game changer, study UCG technology to recovery, for example, in the the oil and gas industry have because only power, water and convert coal to diesel fuel in the North Sea. The Government’s greatly enhanced the reliability compressed CO2 ready for Chukotka region of Russia in £1B power generation CCS and environmental control of storage are produced from the order to decrease its reliance on programme, announced in April the UCG process. The process cycle. A British Peace Prize imports. 2013, is likely to be undertaking wells are constructed and Winner and big players like FEED studies followed by UCG TECHNOLOGY AND connected by directional drilling; Toshiba and the US based demonstration (>300MW) of RISKS ignition and control use coiled Exelon are engaged in the two plants using these tubing engineering and prototype development. Given the right geological technologies. The results are advanced geo-mechanical conditions, the record of testing directly relevant to UCG-CCS. CONCLUSIONS modelling is used for site and demonstration leaves no selection and monitoring In addition, research into In summary, coal must be doubt that a commercial UCG support of the coal seam. UCG-CCS, is pointing to some clean to survive as a long-term project could be developed in Pressure control of the interesting and novel fuel. UCG, which achieves coal the UK and elsewhere, and the underground process and new approaches to achieve the same extraction and conversion to estimates of levelised cost of techniques for well low carbon result. One of these high pressure clean syngas electricity (LCOE), when abandonment minimise the is the option of storing CO in without men underground, can compared with the alternatives 2 spread of contamination. the abandoned cavity. An EU meet the challenge. Innovation for power generation (figure 3) supported modelling and by the EU, the UK and others in are lower. The commercial risks UCG has impressive economic study of UCG-CCS in UCG-CCS has identified process, largely result from the absence credentials in the area of low the Dobroujda Coal Deposit, cost and environmental impact of a fully operational UCG carbon. Firstly, gas turbines for Bulgaria has shown that deep improvements. UCG activity, project, although there are many power generation work coal seams (>1,200m depth) leading to commercialisation in feasibility and demonstration efficiently (>50%) with can permanently store 20-25% coal countries like S Africa, studies around the world. medium-calorific value UCG of the CO produced in the Central Europe and N America is Concerns about ground water syngas, (hydrogen, methane and 2 cavity alone, and more in the under way, and the UK offshore contamination and the public carbon monoxide) and the high surrounding stressed strata. coal resources are prime targets perception of all unconventional pressure gas reaching the Storage costs are low because for exploitation by UCG-CCS. gas (shale, CBM, UCG), both on surface can be decarbonised, the UCG process and and offshore are further risk partially or completely, by the monitoring boreholes are reused factors. So far, there has been a shift and acid removal processes References and CO2 transportation costs are lack of appetite for investment in (all well proven technologies) at 1 A Cluff Letter to Financial Times 6th virtually eliminated. Geological May 2013 and hydrogeological modelling 2 Review of the Feasibility of of the deposit by Bulgarian and Underground Coal Gasification in the UK scientists have shown that UK. DTI Publication, URN 04/1643, stress fields, contamination October 2004. pathways and subsidence can be satisfactorily evaluated, and

that the UCG and CO2 injection processes will be contained within the strata.

An EU study, led by Poland (HUGE, or Hydrogen Underground Gasification Europe) found that the sequential firing of the UCG Figure 3: Costs of Electricity (courtesy UCG Ass) process with air followed by

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PHYSICS AND CHEMISTRY SHOW THEIR WORTH

Many sectors claim to benefit the UK economy, but physics and chemistry are a rarity for actually providing evidence, according to Imperial College economist Professor Jonathan Haskell. His previous work on the contribution of science to economic growth was widely quoted by ministers prior to the government’s spending review of 2010. He was speaking at the launch, held at the House of Commons in June, of two series of case studies showing how curiosity-driven research leads to new technologies that affect our daily lives. He joked that he’s seen enough figures on contributions to the economy to account for 170% of GDP, but rarely any evidence to back up those assertions. Physics: Transforming lives, produced by the Institute of Physics, and the Royal Society of Chemistry’s Chemistry: We mean business provide just that. Dr Beth Taylor Director of Communications, Examples of applications of science, on cancer treatments derived from fundamental physics and on Institute of Physics the role of chemistry in healthcare, were discussed by physicist Professor Dewi Lewis and by University of York chemist Professor David Smith. The event was hosted by Alok Sharma MP, who said he was pleased to see that the case studies were produced as a collaborative effort between the research councils and learned societies. “What you have provided is demonstrating the fantastic link between academia, research, industry, the economy and the marketplace,” he added. Scientists from around the UK were on hand at the event, held on the Commons’ terrace, showcasing their research and its applications. Copies of the case studies are available from the Institute of Physics and Royal Society of Chemistry websites, iop.org and rsc.org.

CANCER TREATMENT (from IOP’s Physics: Transforming lives) Cancer refers to a wide group of diseases in which cells divide of DNA. If the damage is small, the cell’s natural repair mechanisms uncontrollably, producing a tumour that seriously disrupts surrounding can fix it. But a complex double-strand break – in which there are tissues. When cancers are particularly aggressive, these out-of-control multiple breaks close together in each helix – is too difficult, leaving cells can also spread to other parts of the body, causing yet more the cell unable to reproduce successfully. By carefully designing the damage. treatment plan to accumulate a high radiation dose in the tumour, while keeping the dose to normal tissue low enough for repair Radiotherapy involves directing high-energy radiation – such as X- mechanisms to work, the tumour can be destroyed. rays and beams of particles, including electrons and protons – at a tumour to destroy it. The aim is to damage the DNA of the cancer cells IMPACT to stop them proliferating, while ensuring that the radiation dose received by healthy tissue is small enough that it can recover. The One in three people will get cancer at some point in their lives. The particle accelerators that produce these high-energy beams were chance of getting cancer increases with age, with about two-thirds of originally developed for the study of particle and nuclear physics. cancers occurring in people over the age of 65. In 2010, there were around 157,250 deaths from cancer in the UK. Although cancer The chances of surviving cancer are greatly enhanced by early and survival rates have doubled in the past 40 years, the number of accurate diagnosis, and knowing its precise location and size. Here, sufferers increases each year because of advances in diagnosis and an too, physics has provided many of the most important tools. Exploring ageing population. the structure of the universe on the very small scale (atomic, nuclear and particle physics) or the large scale (astronomy and cosmology) More than half of cancer patients will receive radiotherapy as part of requires the development of new ways of “looking” at things that their treatment, and radiotherapy contributes about 40% to the cannot be seen with the naked eye. This ability to visualise what successful treatment of cancer. Half of the world’s 20,000 particle cannot ordinarily be seen has led to the advanced imaging that accelerators are in use in hospitals, and each can treat between 4500 underpins modern medical diagnostics. and 6500 patients per year. HOW DOES RADIOTHERAPY WORK? Increasingly, patients are being treated with more advanced radiotherapy treatments, such as proton-beam and gamma-ray When a charged particle or an X-ray passes through any substance, therapies. In 2012 approximately 70,000 patients worldwide received it knocks out electrons, leaving a trail of ionisation. When it passes proton beam therapy, but it is estimated that 137,000 patients per year through the body, this ionisation can break one or both of the strands could benefit from the treatment in the US alone. Worldwide there are

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around 150 Gamma Knife units, which have collectively treated around cellular membrane that is one-billionth of a metre wide. This diameter 500,000 patients with brain tumours. is about the same size as the width of DNA molecules, meaning the DNA can thread through the hole. The Department of Health recently announced a £250m investment to build two proton-beam therapy centres in the UK by When this happens, unique electrical signals are generated by the 2017. It is estimated that more than 1500 patients per year would individual units that make up DNA. These signals can be decoded and benefit from the establishment of a new National Proton Beam the DNA sequence determined. In this way, the device is designed to Therapy Service in the UK. Today there are 43 proton and carbon-ion determine the make-up of whole genomes from plants, humans or centres worldwide, and 23 more are planned or under construction. small organisms. The UK is a key supplier of component parts for these modern The company was founded on the basis of years of publicly-funded accelerators. fundamental research carried out by Hagan Bayley, a Professor of Early detection of cancer, for example through physics-based Chemical Biology at the University of Oxford, and colleagues at other imaging techniques, greatly increases the chances of successful institutions. The company has since amassed intellectual property (IP) treatment. collaborations with the University of Cambridge, Harvard University, Brown University, University of California and Boston University. Better diagnosis and shorter waiting times also mean that people living with the disease can have an enhanced quality of life. In addition Initial investigations into nanopores were carried out by his research to the human costs of the disease, cancer also exacts huge economic group, which was then based in the USA. In 2003, Hagan moved back costs. The direct healthcare expenditure on cancer in the UK is £5.6bn to the UK, encouraged by the construction of the Chemistry Research a year. There are also additional costs through time off work, the Laboratory (CRL) at the University of Oxford. The state-of-the-art facility impact on family and friends of continuing care, and the loss of was supported by capital expenditure by the UK Government and productivity due to premature death. other donors. FUTURE Work continues to refine imaging techniques so that radiation can be targeted to match the tumour shape ever more precisely. Cheaper and more compact accelerators and beam-delivery systems will make proton and light-ion therapy accessible to many more patients. New ideas, such as using nano-particles to increase the radiosensitivity of cancer cells while leaving healthy cells unaffected, will allow cancer to be treated with lower radiation doses and thus fewer side effects. In figures • 200 different kinds of cancer affect all parts of the body, and all can be fatal if left untreated • 324,579 people were diagnosed with cancer in the UK in 2010 • 157,250 deaths from cancer in the UK in 2010 • 70,000 patients received proton-beam therapy in 2012 worldwide • £5.6 bn: the annual direct cost of all cancers to the UK economy

1 • ⁄3 of people in the UK will develop some form of cancer during their lifetime In 2005, Hagan began investigating the idea of setting up a spin- 1 • ⁄2 of cancer patients will receive radiotherapy as part of their out company. Locating the company at Oxford made sense because of treatment easy access to the university and well-equipped science parks. Today, • 500,000 patients worldwide have undergone Gamma Knife Oxford Nanopore Technologies Ltd is a world leader in nanopore treatment for brain tumours technology and employs 140 people. The company aims to deliver • 43 proton and carbon-ion centres available worldwide; 23 more are devices for molecular analyses, one of which (MinION™) will be planned or under construction including two in the UK disposable and will connect to a computer USB. • 10,000 hospital particle accelerators worldwide, each treating 4500– Research at Oxford will contribute towards the exciting era of 6500 patients per year personalised medicine allowing people access to rapid, cheap and PERSONALISED MEDICINE accurate health information. (from RSC’s Chemistry: We mean business) In figures Personalised medicine involves selecting the best treatments for • 1997: first paper on the use of nanopores as sensors published individuals on the basis of their genetic make-up and an understanding • 2005: Oxford Nanopore Technologies Ltd set up of how proteins interact with pharmaceuticals. • 140 people employed across four locations Achieving this requires better access to information about DNA, • £105m investment raised from private funders RNA, proteins and a range of other molecules. It is important to • 350 patents/patent applications owned or licensed by the company analyse these in a research setting to understand disease, and in a • $2bn: cost of sequencing the first human genome clinical setting to direct treatment of patients. • >$5000: current cost of sequencing a full human genome Oxford Nanopore Technologies Ltd is developing the devices • >3bn: DNA base pairs in the human genome GridION™ and MinION™, using nanopores to analyse single molecules • £60m: funding committed by the Medical Research Council over four such as DNA, RNA or proteins. A nanopore is a hole, or channel, in a years towards personalised medicine initiatives

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DO QUALITY, INNOVATION AND PERFORMANCE COMPETE OR COMPLEMENT? Quality and innovation play vital roles for organisations to remain competitive. Quality aims for high and sustainable performance, while innovation aims for breakthrough. Although these concepts are diametrically opposed (performance equates to consolidation; innovation equates to creation), the need to ensure quality (offers that are fit for purpose) results in these concepts often being intertwined.

Prof Sa’ad Medhat, FIKE, CEO Professor Medhat is the founder of Creating value requires T-SHAPED TECHNOLOGIST personal qualities, beyond NEF with an established reputation organisations continuously to technical skills, that may be for driving forward initiatives from ACCREDITATION policy through to implementation. develop innovative and high Demonstrating to prospective indispensable. quality products and services, learners and employers that the T-shaded Technologist and deliver them on time and at provider supports skills that Accreditation is used to a lower cost than their empower creativity and problem demonstrate that a STEM competitors. This requires solving is a powerful (science, technology, employees to be creative, but differentiator. engineering, mathematics) also to ensure standards are Is accreditation by a university education or training met. or college enough? Should the programme produces fit-for- Equilibrium between quality benchmarks used be universal industry individuals. A matrix of and innovation is achieved by to achieve recognition and value capabilities, transferable skills, embedding cultural values and for the user? qualities and attributes describes enabling characteristics that drive Employers, particularly those what a T-Shaped Technologist creativity, efficiency and 2 Dr Sarah Peers, MIKE, Director of leading in SciTech sectors, are for the 21st Century looks like . Programmes responsibility. What are these, Dr Peers leads NEF’s professional beginning to be explicit in their These capabilities can be and can they be systemically development programmes for requirements in recruits as well broadly categorised as: STEM improvement and has nourished? extensive experience of engineering as improving the performance of • Technical knowledge and education at HE and FE combined This paper outlines the role the existing workforce1. When experience – largely discipline- with business. of accreditation. It also describes recruiting new graduates and and sector-specific ‘know-how’ an approach to achieving a technicians, employers look for combined with ‘know-why’, an balance of quality, innovation and performance through NEF: The Innovation Institute recognising traits which enhance is a professional body, individual capability. educational charity and a leading NEF: The Innovation Institute provider of SciTech innovation has developed two accreditation and growth services to business, frameworks, namely T-shaped education and government. Technologist, and the Innovation Guided by its Innovation and Knowledge Exchange (IKE), Council, NEF: The Innovation recognising that demarcation Institute influences policy and between work and study is Figure 1: supports its members, partners T-Shaped Technologist blurring. and stakeholders to achieve performance excellence and stimulate innovation. . . . We need to close the gap between education and industry, so as to increase employability and our ability to innovate. But how do we drive this? . . . Dr Jonathan Reeves, Group Head of Technical Innovation, Britvic

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understanding of STEM theory themselves so increasing self- overcomes the difficulty that Graduates from IKE behind practice esteem and self-confidence educational providers have in accredited training can obtain a translating specific requirements Certificate of Professionalism in • Transferable professional skills • Provides a differentiation for of diverse sectors as well as – including business acumen, the learner when competing Innovation. This provides enabling employers to articulate and the skills related to for positions. recognition to employees who their needs. knowledge transfer and have led and driven innovation. The value of the T-shaped innovation Technologist lies in articulating …Innovation is the lifeblood IKE ACCREDITATION • Transferable personal qualities capabilities of interest to an of any successful company… FRAMEWORK – including enterprise and employer. These capabilities can Ana Andres del Valle, IT R&D Concluding remarks initiative, and some highly be fostered and assessed. Manager, Jones Lang LaSalle valued behaviours. Something innovative has NEF advocates the synonymity with improved T-SHAPED TECHNOLOGIST embedding of the T-shaped In addition, the IKE performance and through that Key benefits to the T-Shaped Technologist model in framework supports employers, quality of the product is implied. Technologist Accreditation for programmes of STEM-related particularly those from large Is this always true? Can the providers, particularly in further training at schools, colleges and SciTech industries, to develop connection of innovation be education, include: universities. This supports the skills not currently being used. development of more than just This is yet another way in which enough for high quality? Is • Identifying the commitment to technical skills. Other attributes quality and performance can performance a determinant of develop attributes valued in such as initiative, learning to drive innovation. quality? the workplace learn, responsibility, teamwork, …We have been through many developments, from improving • Recognising capability to the love of their discipline, an design to quality management. These don’t guarantee performance deliver T-shaped learning, awareness of different cultures, improvement. The glue that holds quality and innovation together are also encouraged. The model which is forward thinking and and links to performance improvement is behaviours… able to address future skills for can be used to unearth hidden skills such as knowledge of Dave Drury, Chancellor, EDF Energy Campus new and emerging sectors another language, or a practical • Supporting employability technical skill from a past job or IKE Accreditation benefits There is an argument of a routes work experience, which add employers and education trade-off between quality, value for a potential employer. providers by: innovation and performance. They may compete within an • Signifying the value of creativity … We are passionate about teaching and learning to transform organisation, depending upon and innovation within a training lives. Helping learners to develop skills for success beyond college strategic direction and availability or CPD programme is essential and T-shaped Technologist accreditation supports in of resource, but when used in a this… • Maintaining a high level of systematic way they become Simon Friend, Head of Science and Technology, South Devon consistency in the quality of complementing forces that College training or CPD provision provide the organisation with a powerful position and unique • Identifying organisational ability • Providing STEM programmes capability. THE IKE ACCREDITATION to improve continually with a benchmark To address issues of • Offering reputational and References • Delivering a competitive performance and growth of 1 Open Innovation in STEM Learning, NEF competitive advantage. Report, Dec 2012 advantage which positions business and industry, NEF: The 2 T-shaped Learning for the New programmes as fit-for-purpose. Innovation Institute has Technologist, NEF White Paper, Dec developed the IKE Accreditation 2012 Graduates of T-shaped framework. This integrates programmes are eligible for a quality and innovation into a certificate showing they are a T- coherent package. shaped Technologist which: IKE Accreditation • Provides employers with demonstrates the value and assurance that the learner is relevance of innovation skills work-ready, with a level of within professional development commercial awareness and programmes. The framework with skills beyond the purely recognises the diverse needs of technical employers and sectors in terms • Delivers a much more of characteristics and skills rounded package for the required, both in new recruits or learners to promote the existing workforce. It Figure 2: IKE Accreditation Framework

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ENGINEERING TOMORROW’S WORLD Why Britain must Invest in Infrastructure Research

role to play, injecting new ideas Mapping the Underworld funding of £7 million from two and technologies that will both project, a 10-year of the UK’s research councils, shape and inform choices. multidisciplinary research the Engineering and Physical programme, that the Sciences Research Council Infrastructure is not just the Engineering and Physical (EPSRC) and the Economic and visible structures like highways, it Sciences Research Council Social Research Council (ESRC). has many layers – (EPSRC) began funding in communications networks, Developing new infrastructure 2005. The initial four projects energy production, storage and presents opportunities to emerged from an intensive transmission, knowledge transfer stimulate growth and create jobs workshop that drew on and learning and skills domestically, but it also gives UK academic and industry Professor David Delpy development, to name just a academia and industry the Chief Executive, EPSRC knowledge. These investigated few. Like the systems of a chance to demonstrate their both the use of multisensory human body, these perform innovative thinking, leadership tools to locate underground their own tasks, but are and skills to global markets. The utilities, and whether accurate interdependent and act UK has an outstanding 3D maps could be created to collectively to form the whole. academic research base strongly aid developers. The results of Understanding these linked to industry and providing the research have attracted relationships is a key challenge world-leading expertise in international interest and are for researchers, planners and infrastructure development, helping to determine new government. planning and construction. standards of training for utility Companies such as Arup, Laing There are demands for mapping. O’Rourke, and CH2M HILL are greener energy; better building A society’s infrastructure, How will our infrastructure exporting skills and generating design; smarter, faster like an ecosystem, is complex integrate with the rest of the wealth. Likewise, we have first- communications and better skills and interlinked. It has world and how do we model class skills in the development in our workforce, how can we components developed over this? We must ask planners, of the digital economy that has meet these? As science and time, as well as more dynamic developers, engineers, builders become pervasive. The Digital research bring about new elements which are constantly – and the general public – what City Exchange, at Imperial discoveries, how will they affect renewed. they want and need, factor in College London, is researching the texture and fabric of our realistic timescales for financing, how to digitally link utilities and Much of the UK’s physical society and infrastructure? We building and realising returns services within a city, creating infrastructure, roads, railways know things will look very and take account of the needs new technical and business and utilities, has been built up different in 30 years’ time, so of future generations. Different opportunities. over the last two centuries. how can we engineer models will take account of These were built to last. tomorrow’s world? To continue this trend we variables and how society may However, the country has grown must fund world leading The scale and potential be structured both physically and changed; investment in the research. EPSRC supports longevity of these structures is and economically. We have to skeleton that supports our around 350 research projects, such that we have to look future-proof. economy is now overdue. The worth more than £350 million, beyond the short term, we have Government’s National Lord Deighton, Commercial that relate to infrastructure to plan properly and, as we plan, Infrastructure Plan, which sets Secretary to the Treasury, across the engineering and we must look to several possible out the priority infrastructure recently announced two new physical sciences, from futures. investments, is beginning to research centres that will shape fundamental research to applied address this issue and the A successful example of this the way the UK’s infrastructure is activities. research community has a key approach to research is the planned and implemented, with

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EPSRC also funds research in the security services and By definition, infrastructure is as Energy Use in Buildings and clean energy generation and its government, invested in a new a long term challenge, requiring Transport, Energy Storage and more efficient use, and in Research Institute for Cyber highly-skilled experts in their Water. Security that will advise how to respective fields. EPSRC invests guarding our vital ICT services In tough times some might secure systems and safely over £250 million a year in and systems through say that investing in exploit the possibilities the virtual developing the infrastructure innovations in cyber security. infrastructure is something we world offers. leaders of tomorrow – from PhD A case in point is the £39 could delay until economic training centres to tailored million investment by EPSRC, Just as we all need regular conditions improve. I disagree; Fellowship packages for senior ESRC and industry in five End medical checkups, the we have to gear our economy researchers. They will focus on Innovation and Knowledge to compete with others, some Use Energy Demand (EUED) addressing the complex Centre (IKC) on Smart of whom are already dedicating research centres to look into the demands of the future. An Infrastructure and Construction time and effort to improving complexities of energy use example is the EPSRC at Cambridge, which is funded their infrastructure. across society – and a further sponsored Centre for Doctoral by EPSRC, the Technology £6 million has been set aside Training in Urban Sustainability We also have an obligation to Strategy Board (TSB), and for research into how to apply and Resilience at University the current generation and our industry, is using research into descendants, so that they will digital technologies to reduce College London, which is sensors and data management have the resources they need to energy demand in buildings. training the researchers we need to monitor how infrastructure tackle future challenges. We to stay in front of many of the Information technology has like London’s Underground have to play our part in the issues facing us. become ubiquitous and has system is ageing. Using global infrastructure and produce revolutionised the way society innovative manufacturing The latest call for the next scientific and engineering runs. This reliance also creates processes, the project aims to round of Centres for Doctoral solutions that will bring benefits vulnerabilities for our services bring more efficient, sustainable Training includes priorities for to Tomorrow’s World. and businesses. That is why and economic construction to National Infrastructure Systems EPSRC has, in partnership with new infrastructure. and other related themes such

EPSRC-SUPPORTED INFRASTRUCTURE RESEARCH Who are the EPSRC?

The EPSRC supports research towards a reliable, safe and resilient infrastructure that The Engineering and Physical supplies the water, energy, transport, waste and communications systems essential to our Sciences Research Council is the society. This is crucial in facing our changing environmental, demographic and economic UK’s main agency for funding conditions and requires innovative solutions to ensure a healthy, productive and research and training in the sustainable society that is able to support economic growth. engineering and physical sciences. • Integrated project planning is vital for complex infrastructure networks, and EPSRC- The EPSRC invests roughly £800m a funded projects such as Urban Futures, one of the activities under the £45 million year in research and postgraduate Sustainable Urban Environment Programme (SUE), and Liveable Cities, a training to help the nation handle the collaboration between four universities, are looking at how cities can be constructed next generation of technological and planned, taking a long term view of sustainability, managing natural resources change. The areas covered range and reducing carbon use. from information technology to structural engineering, and • The Infrastructure Transitions Research Consortium (ITRC) is a partnership between mathematics to materials science. seven UK universities that supports analysis and planning of national infrastructure This research forms the basis for systems. Its research addresses the major challenges facing the energy, transport, future economic development in the water, waste and ICT systems sectors. UK and improvements to everyone’s • The LANCS Initiative, a collaboration of four universities, Lancaster, Nottingham, Cardiff health, lifestyle and culture. and Southampton, is developing understanding of complex systems, including those in the transport and logistics sector.

• Researchers at the University of Cambridge have been working with industrial and academic partners to tackle some of the uncertainties associated with air traffic and Infrastructure Business Model the risks these pose to heavily loaded airports. They have also developed award Centres: EPSRC and the Economic winning technology that uses radio tags to track baggage as it passes through the and Social Research Council airport system. (ESRC) are co-investing £7 million in two Infrastructure Business Further information about these projects and more can be found by visiting: Model Centres at Newcastle and http://www.epsrc.ac.uk/Pages/default.aspx University College London.

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HOW MUCH FOOD TESTING DO WE NEED? Meeting of the Parliamentary and Scientific Committee on Wedesday 13th March HOW MUCH TESTING DO WE NEED?

HISTORICAL The worsening problem led diet, or high levels of heavy BACKGROUND to the passing of an Act to metals in seafood. prevent the adulteration of food Food fraud has been around The other part of the and drink in August 1860. This since food was traded and the Agency’s function “otherwise to legislation was not a success further the distance that food protect the interests of and it was not until 12 years travels the more likely it is to be consumers in relation to food” later that a more workable adulterated. Prior to the covers much of the work of statute came into force. The industrial revolution it was only Public Analysts and is the area in 1872 Act gave sampling officers truly exotic foods which were which the horsemeat scandal powers, required authorities to Dr Duncan Campbell routinely adulterated. The rests. Is it what it says on the Public Analyst for West Yorkshire appoint a public analyst, defined movement of people from rural burger box? and Past President of the what food and drugs were and Association of Public Analysts areas where their food was created the offence of “selling to produced into towns during the LOCAL AUTHORITY the prejudice of the purchaser 19th century led to basic foods ENFORCEMENT any food not of the nature, such as flour and milk being substance or quality demanded”. Local Authorities play a large targeted by unscrupulous This offence exists today in role in enforcing food traders. At this time sugar was a Section 14 of the Food Safety regulations. Where there is two luxury food as it was common Act 1990. The first public tier local government the district to use plaster of Paris in sweets. analysts had a difficult job, councils are responsible for On an occasion in Bradford in analytical chemistry was very enforcement of food hygiene November 1858 a pharmacist’s much in its infancy and what and the counties for food assistant made a mistake and was actually meant by standards. In areas with single supplied the sweet maker with adulteration had not been tier administrations both are white arsenic powder instead. defined. In 1898 it became a dealt with within the same Twenty people died in agony requirement for Public Analysts authority. During the media and another 200 people were to hold a qualification and that is frenzy around the horsemeat seriously ill. still the case today: the scandal there was much Mastership in Chemical Analysis confusion about terms so it is is a competence based worth just clarifying some of qualification administered by the them. Royal Society of Chemistry. Generally when the term Moving on about 100 years food safety is used what is we come to the creation of the meant is food hygiene and the Food Standards Agency. The microbiological safety of food. Food Standards Act 1999 sets Food standards covers non- the main objective of the agency microbiological aspects of food in carrying out its functions ie “to safety such as toxicological risks protect public health from risks from pollutants and other toxic which may arise in connection substances. It also covers food with the consumption of food fraud, labelling, authenticity, diet and otherwise protect the and health as well as foreign interests of consumers in bodies in food. relation to food”. Part of the local authority When we think of health we enforcement activity includes often think of the acute risks that taking samples, both for arise from food poisoning be it microbiological examination E. coli O157 or listeria. However, (food hygiene) purposes or for chemical analysis (food A cartoon from Punch of 20th November 1858 calling there are also chronic effects, be for action to prevent food adulteration. they from too much salt in the standards). As the horsemeat

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support the food enforcement HOW MUCH TESTING DO officer in the field”. WE NEED? . . . many criminal breaches are only There are some parallels Although central targets are detectable by analysis . . . between the horsemeat scandal set for the numbers of and the Sudan I scare; Sudan I inspections, none are set for is a carcinogenic dye which was sampling rates. In 2001 it was scandal progressed, media spectrometer (LC-MS-MS) and found in chilli powder in 2003. noted that this had resulted in attention focused on the the Real-time PCR techniques Laws were introduced across the an increase in the number of decline in sampling rates over used to detect the presence of EU to ensure that consignments inspections but a decrease in the last few years. Notable minute amounts of DNA. Most of chilli powder were tested on the number of samples taken. quotes derived from the Local public analyst laboratories carry entry. Then in 2005 Sudan I was These decisions are taken locally Authority Enforcement out other functions as well as found in Worcester sauce by but, as we have seen, food and Monitoring System (LAEMS) those of official food and feed scientists in Italy. It had been its ingredients travel long returns submitted to the Agency control. This ranges from air manufactured in the UK long distances. Levels of enforcement by local authorities included pollution monitoring to testing of after the problem had been both in terms of inspection and “Food protection tests slashed consumer goods, asbestos and identified and found its way into sampling vary widely across the by a third in Scotland” (Sunday legionella surveying and testing, many different foods. A huge country and there is no central Herald 17th Feb 2013). “For and providing scientific support recall operation was carried out strategic direction or funding to County Councils [in England] the to the emergency services. ensure that appropriate number of food samples taken with 580 products being There is some specialism in resources are in place where for analysis by public analysts withdrawn. In the wake of this laboratories but its scope is they are needed at a local level. has fallen by 47% in the three incident a review panel was set limited by competition for the years to March 2012” (Yorkshire up and one of its recommen- It is frequently stated that ever diminishing amount of Post 5th Feb2013). “Seven dations was for the Agency to local authority sampling is risk official work. million people [in England] live ascertain the UK laboratory based. In my experience this is in areas where [Local FOOD FRAUD capacity available to assist in not the case. Local authority Authorities] are not doing any major incidents such as the enforcement officers will make We have all probably been [Food Standards] sampling at Sudan I scare and pursue the the best use of the resources victims of food fraud at one all.” (Independent on Sunday matter within Government if it available. They do this within the time or another. We may only 17th Feb 2013). was deemed to be insufficient. constraints of available staff and suffer financially having paid a budgets. This is not the same as, This reduction in sampling premium for wild salmon, extra DNA testing using the firstly, assessing the risks posed has been mirrored by a virgin olive oil, organic produce Polymerase Chain Reaction was by the food business in their reduction in the number of or heather honey but getting a very much in the news during area and deciding how many Public Analysts and the closure cheaper but perfectly safe the horsemeat scandal. Ten suitably qualified staff are of laboratories with four closing product. An exception to this is years ago there wasn’t much required to carry out adequate or ceasing to carry out official in the supply of counterfeit or PCR analysis going on in Public inspections and audits. Then, in control work in the last 3 years. fake vodka where the liquid in Analyst laboratories. In 2006 the consultation with a Public the bottle contains one or more The analysis of samples is Agency helped fund PCR Analyst, deciding on the number toxic compounds such as only part of the controls on food instruments resulting in the of samples to be taken and the methanol, chloroform or xylene. but it is worth emphasising that equipment being in place in 11 money required to perform many criminal breaches of food The Food Fraud Task Force in laboratories. However due to appropriate analysis on them. laboratory closures and other law, deliberate or accidental, are its final report (September Some food businesses have factors only six laboratories were only detectable by analysis. 2007) noted “in some cases the only a local impact but many, able to analyse samples for the Analysis and interpretation of the food fraudster can apply highly either through their own presence of horsemeat DNA. results of that analysis in the sophisticated techniques and products or supermarket own context of the law is what Public make it very difficult, if not This is a reflection of the way brands, will be sold across the Analysts do. This requires a wide impossible, for the public to that official control laboratory country. Under the current range of skills and detect that food fraud has capability and capacity is funded system there is an unacceptably instrumentation, some of which occurred. Thus, as part of food in the UK which is solely through wide variation in the level of is familiar to anyone who has fraud control enforcement there local authorities spending money official controls. There is a need studied chemistry at school. At much be an equally on analysis. As demand has for local delivery but also for the other end of the spectrum sophisticated analytical service to fallen, so has the supply. central funding and strategic are sophisticated and highly direction. sensitive instruments such as a . . . only six laboratories were able to high performance liquid chromatograph coupled with a receive samples . . . tripe quadruple mass

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HOW MUCH FOOD TESTING DO WE NEED? CONTAMINANTS IN FOOD

INTRODUCTION Mycotoxins fermented soy sauces that Mycotoxins are toxic have been made via protein Contaminants are chemical compounds produced by hydrolysis using hydrochloric substances that have not been moulds (myco) growing on acid, and can also occur in intentionally added to food or plant products. There are several processed meat products, animal feed. Their presence in different types depending on the bread and crackers. 3-MCPD is food can pose a risk to animal plant and what part of the world carcinogenic and possibly or human health. They may be it is grown and harvested in. genotoxic. present in the environment Good agricultural practice should either in a naturally occurring or • Acrylamide occurs naturally in limit the development of Elizabeth Moran man-made form and can also cooked starchy foods, eg chips, President of the Association of mycotoxins on crops but factors Public Analysts be produced in food and feed bread, bakery products. It was such as wet or damp weather, during processing. first discovered in Sweden in poor drying or storage 2002. It is carcinogenic and is CONTAMINANTS conditions all lead to problems. also found in black olives and The bad winters of the last three The most common dried coffee. years in Europe have led to very contaminants found in food and high levels of mycotoxins in • Melamine is a white crystalline feed are indicated below: cereal crops. Some examples powder used as a heat- Heavy Metals are: retardant (eg in kitchen work Heavy metals include arsenic, lead, cadmium and mercury. . . . proportion of GM soya on the These metals can be naturally- world market has increased . . . occurring or present in the environment due to industrial • Aflatoxins – aflatoxin B1 is surfaces). It has been used contamination. Heavy metals produced by Aspergillus illegally as a protein substitute occur in the environment and moulds. This mould commonly in pet food and infant formula may be present at quite high grows on nuts, fruits and from China, which led to many levels in some foods like fish grains. Aflatoxins cause cancer pet deaths in the USA, but and shellfish, though normally in and liver damage and are then to the death and health a non-toxic form. Consumption particularly harmful to birds. problems such as kidney of foods containing toxic forms Aflatoxins consumed by dairy stones in infants in China. leads to chronic toxicity. cows can lead to the presence of aflatoxin M1 in milk. Dioxins Heavy metals bio-accumulate Dioxins are a group of over particularly in meat and fish and • Ochratoxin A – found on vine 200 chemical compounds are often found in dried herbs, fruits and coffee. containing chlorine which are spices and other foods. • Tricothecenes, Fumonisins and persistent in the environment. Nitrates Fusarium toxins are found on Their presence is mainly due to Ammonium nitrate is a cereal crops such as wheat, incineration and the chemical common fertiliser which can barley and oats. industry. They accumulate in often make its way into crops, Process Contaminants animals and fish and are found soil and water courses. Although in meat, fish, eggs and dairy Certain chemical compounds not in itself harmful, nitrate can products. may not be present in any of form nitrosamines which are the food ingredients but are Polychlorinated biphenyls carcinogenic. Nitrates are found produced during processing or (PCBs) in agricultural crops such as heat treatment as a result of winter lettuce and spinach and PCBs consist of over 200 chemical reactions. Some levels need to be carefully organo-chlorine compounds examples are: monitored. with 2 to 10 chlorine atoms. • 3-Monochloropropanediol (3- PCBs were widely used as MCPD) in non-naturally dielectric and coolant fluids, for

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food such as kitchen utensils, the long-term effects of . . . occur in foods cooked or processed containers and packaging can consuming contaminated food in certain ways . . . leach into food. Examples are are more difficult to see. primary aromatic amines (PAAs) Many organic (used in the in kitchen utensils and example in transformers, soya on the world market has chemical sense) contaminants formaldehyde in melamine capacitors and electric motors. increased. Unauthorised GM are carcinogenic, mutagenic and ware, eg picnic sets. Their use is no longer permitted products which have not teratogenic. Consumption of in most countries but they are undergone a safety assessment IMPORTED FOOD ISSUES very small amounts in foods persistent in the environment have also been detected in foods over many years can lead to and PCBs are harmful. in the European Union including Over the last few years build-up in the body. The variety in rice products from China. certain contaminant issues have Polycyclic Aromatic of foods consumed which are cropped up with food being Hydrocarbons (PAHs) Veterinary and Pesticide sourced from many countries imported into the UK from other around the world means that PAHs are synthesised as a Residues parts of the EU or from outside the range of contaminants the product of combustion and are Antibiotics and other drugs the EU (third countries). population is now exposed to is found in high levels in vehicle used in the treatment of animal Examples are aflatoxins in probably much greater than at emissions and cigarette smoke. disease should be withdrawn peanuts and figs, ochratoxin A in any time in history. The global They also occur in foods which from use in good time before dried fruit, antibiotic residues in scale and complexity of the food have been cooked or processed animals destined to enter the honey from China and illegal chain mean that it is very in certain ways, eg traditionally food chain are slaughtered. dyes in farmed fish and spices. difficult to monitor the levels of smoked foods, flame-grilled or Residues of these drugs are SPIRIT DRINKS contaminants in food and a barbecued food, processed found in meat and fish products great deal of emphasis must be cereal products, dried herbs, due to inappropriate use, not in The UK is currently dealing placed on traceability and herbal supplements and dried compliance with Good with a high occurrence of paperwork. However, in the UK, vegetables. Agricultural Practice. Examples adulterated and counterfeit spirit testing of many food and animal are the illegal use of drugs such Radiation drinks, particularly vodka. The feed products is carried out by as clenbuterol and hormones relatively high price of alcohol public analysts for local authority Foods are irradiated to kill and levels of permitted drug and the economic recession food safety enforcement officers, microbes in food which may be residues above the Maximum may partly explain this. Problems port health authorities and the harmful to health. If food has Permitted Residue Limit (MPRL). encountered include counterfeit Food Standards Agency. The been irradiated this must be products made with industrial results of analysis show that declared on the product label. Pesticide residues on food alcohol which can be extremely while the majority of food Irradiation has been abused in can arise for similar reasons harmful if consumed, causing contains contaminants below the past to make food which is such as the illegal use of blindness, paralysis and death. unsafe limits, many products do unfit for consumption ‘safe’. compounds like DDT or lindane Substitution of well-known continue to give rise to Commonly irradiated foods and levels of permitted quality brands with cheaper problems and constant vigilance include dried herbs and spices, pesticides above the Maximum versions is also a big problem, is required to ensure the safety food supplements, dehydrated Residue Limit (MRL) due to use particularly in pubs and night and security of the food we eat. Asian meals, soups, sauces and of excessive amounts of clubs. garlic. pesticide or use of pesticide too TESTING FOR close to date of harvesting. A maximum limit of 600 HEALTH EFFECTS OF CONTAMINANTS Illegal Dyes FOOD CONTAMINATION Bq/kg for radioactive Caesium Testing of food and feed for has been set for foods such as Farmers and producers add Compared with the contaminants is therefore a very wild mushrooms, cranberries colours to food to boost their nineteenth century few people important tool to be used and bilberries from non-EC appearance and market value. appear to die as a direct result alongside traceability and audit Eastern European countries These colours may be harmful of eating contaminated food. procedures and the UK should affected by nuclear fallout from to health and not approved for Some contaminants, such as ensure that the amount of the Chernobyl accident in 1986. food use. In 2003 Sudan red lead, cause acute or chronic testing carried out is adequate to dye was found in chilli powder effects. Aflatoxins were ensure the population is not Genetically Modified used in hundreds of ready responsible for causing acute exposed to grossly contaminated Organisms (GMOs) meals, sparking one of the liver failure and the death of food on a regular basis and that Many GMOs are authorised biggest product recalls ever in many children in a village in future widespread contamination for sale in food and feed in the the UK. Nigeria just a few years ago. But incidents are avoided. EU but their presence must be indicated. Separation of GM and Food Contact Materials . . . Good agricultural practice non-GM commodities such as Harmful chemical soya has become increasingly compounds in plastic-ware should limit the development of difficult as the proportion of GM which comes into contact with mycotoxins . . .

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HOW MUCH FOOD TESTING DO WE NEED? FSA’S ROLE IN FOOD TESTING AND ASSURANCE

ROLE OF TESTING over production, processing and target remedial action. We need supply chains, and by careful an effective level of testing. But Testing is part of a wider checking of these systems by it is not by itself the best or the framework of checks and LAs. Two key elements of this, primary means of achieving assurance on food that ensure which have proved effective in control. food is safe and what it claims practice, are risk-based food to be. This is the responsibility of safety systems – such as those WHAT TESTING IS food businesses to ensure that based on HACCP (Hazard DONE? this is the case. They do this Analysis of Critical Control Most food law enforcement through their own controls, Dr Patrick Miller Points), and traceability – so that is delegated to LAs under the Head of Science Strategy and checks and testing. every food business has an up- Governance, FSA Food Law Code of Practice, Of course government has a to-date audit trail at least one which requires them to have role – we don’t just leave the stage back and one stage risk-based sampling and forward. industry to it. Our role is to checking programmes in place. ensure there is effective, Testing can help underpin These include verifying food proportionate regulation and these measures. It is more safety and standards controls in enforcement that helps efficient to focus testing on raw food businesses, and testing to businesses comply with their materials and ingredients, and reflect local and national responsibilities, and to ensure there are rigorous, risk-based . . . FSA does not control checks that this is happening in practice, and action where it is local funding . . . not. key points in production to priorities. The FSA audits LAs to The Food Standards Agency ensure process control, than on make sure these programmes is the UK’s Competent Authority finished products – this allows are effective. We also support for food. As such we have a you to pick up issues earlier, LAs through facilitating exchange lead and co-ordinating role, and to avoid wastefully of good practice, training for which we fulfil by working in producing food that later needs officers, a fighting fund to help partnership with Local to be disposed of. with enforcement with Authorities (LAs), Public Alongside this we need to unexpected resource Analysts; Defra and other gather and share intelligence on implications, and grants for LA Departments, and with other risks. We also need to keep up tests against risk-based priorities. scientists, the food industry and with the science, to understand There are two consumers. what testing is telling us and complementary strands of Testing is an important part what the appropriate response activity. First there are the tests of this. But there are hundreds is – for example, how to and checks that LAs plan and of thousands of food businesses respond to the ability to detect fund at the local level, drawing in the UK – and any of the large increasingly low levels of on their detailed knowledge and retailers, for example, may have material that would have been experience of the food something like 30,000 product undetectable only a few years businesses in their area to target lines and it becomes clear that ago. local priorities. This work is we cannot test everything. Testing thus provides an funded from local budgets. FSA Neither should we rely on essential check that controls are does not control local funding testing as the first line of achieving the desired result; it but we work with local defence: that is provided by can help to provide assurance, government to highlight the effective control and assurance to identify problems, and to importance of food checks and

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hygiene rules are followed. We future priorities. European . . . meat authenticity as a priority . . . spend about £1m each year on countries share information on our own surveys on chemical adverse results through the EU’s and microbiological rapid alert system (RASSF), so the types of check we regard as two monitoring systems: LAEMS contamination of foods. We fund that where problems are priorities. (Local Authority Enforcement the UK’s statutory monitoring for identified, we can act quickly to Monitoring System) and UKFSS dairy and shellfish hygiene and remove them from the food The second strand is the (UK Food Surveillance System). radiological safety (about £8m chain. National Co-ordinated Sampling LAEMS covers annual summary in 2011/12), covering Grants Programme funded and The final piece of this picture information on LAs’ statutory thousands of tests, and we co-ordinated by FSA, working brings me back to my first point food enforcement activity and provide £1m of support to with Defra and other – which is testing and assurance outcomes (total numbers of National Reference Laboratories departments. This provides by the food industry on the inspections and of samples, and for food and feed testing, and additional funds for LAs to carry products it is selling. We have overall compliance levels). for training for LAs. out co-ordinated testing on seen in response to the UKFSS is used by an increasing products and issues which are a Defra’s food authenticity horsemeat contamination that number of LAs to record the priority at national level, based programme (which moved from industry has carried out, and details of individual food and on evidence and intelligence of FSA in 2010) has funded 17 reported, over 5400 tests for feed sampling activities and particular concerns. The focus is ‘snap-shot’ national surveys on horse in meat products in the results. This co-ordinated mainly on food safety risks and food mis-description and space of a few weeks, and that reporting gives the FSA and the what could make people ill, but compliance with food standards over 99% of these are not LAs a picture across the UK of the programme includes checks legislation. And there are affected. This has helped any non-compliant samples, and on information and authenticity national testing programmes on address some of the concern also where products get the all where we have reason to clear – which, let us not forget, believe there may be problems. . . . surveys on chemical and is the majority of cases, even In 2012/13 we provided £2 though testing targets areas of microbiological contamination million in this programme and potential concern – and helps we will provide a similar amount us to spot gaps and avoid of foods . . . for the 2013/14 programme, duplication. residues of veterinary medicines about the potential scale of the which includes meat authenticity TESTING AS PART OF and of pesticides in food and issue and about industry’s as a priority. Funding can cover THE WIDER PICTURE feed, carried out by the control of its processes. It is resource needed to carry out Veterinary Medicines Directorate unprecedented both in scale testing as well as the cost of the This adds up to a lot of and the Health and Safety and in industry’s willingness to tests themselves. testing, but this is by no means Executive, each covering share and publish its results. all that is done to check the Alongside this, the Health thousands of samples each year. This kind of transparency in safety and quality of the food Protection Agency (HPA) funds FSA provides input on the industry testing and assurance being sold and eaten in the UK. its own laboratories to provide a testing and priorities for these could be really valuable for resource for LAs to have testing LAs assess food premises to programmes, and we work future assurance across the food done on microbiological safety ensure they are properly run, closely with the Health system, improving the evidence in food, at no cost to the LA. identify areas for improvement Protection Agency on their base, and helping us all to target and ensure these are addressed, monitoring of foodborne illness. resources more efficiently. In 2011/12 local authorities including through prosecutions took 78,653 food samples, All this takes place in the Alongside this we need to where appropriate, and we which underwent 92,181 context of work across Europe, improve our systems for support them in this. They also analyses by Official Control in ongoing programmes and ad gathering and sharing check third country imports Laboratories – including 18,219 hoc exercises such as that intelligence on potential new entering the UK. This helps pick analyses on composition, currently under way on concerns, both with industry and up issues before they get into 11,879 on labelling and horsemeat. We share with other countries. And all this the production and retail chain. presentation, and 55,546 information with our European will still need to be backed up microbiological analyses. FSA carries out official and international partners, which by ongoing independent inspections at abattoirs and helps build up a picture of the checking and verification by the REPORTING meat plants to ensure meat food system and to inform regulators and by local With all this testing, it is authorities. essential that data are shared on . . . transparency in industry testing what’s being tested and on the results. LAs report information to and assurance. . . FSA on food and feed testing via

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100 YEARS OF THE BRITISH ECOLOGICAL SOCIETY At the British Ecological Society’s golden jubilee symposium of 1964, JB Cragg wrote that “science is essentially an art from in which a handful of inspired pioneers set the pace”. The pace of academic ecology in Britain was undoubtedly set by the founders of the British Ecological Society, the world’s first academic ecological society.

Julie Hodgkinson In the late 19th century years and the centenary is a publication shows how the Festival of Ecology Manager naturalists began not only to chance to highlight the work of scientists of the past influence British Ecological Society record what they saw but to try the Society and academic the scientists of today and how and explain the patterns and ecologists across the world. the science of ecology has distribution of what they developed. encountered and the POLICY FOR SCIENTISTS environment in which they On 25 June 2013 the existed. In 1904 the British Society will be launching the Ecology covers many diverse Vegetation Committee was set latest in its Ecological Issues scientific disciplines, a series of up to review, conduct and series entitled The impact of cross disciplinary meetings were establish a methodology for extreme events on freshwater held across the UK in the spring vegetation surveys. The impetus ecosystems. The series takes a on a variety of topics. These behind this Committee and its topical policy-relevant issue – in were the Marine Ecology work led to the establishment of this case, the consequences of Centenary Symposium, in the British Ecological Society on extreme floods and droughts on Edinburgh, Global change and 12 April 1913. This first meeting rivers, lakes and ponds – and biosphere interactions at the launched the world’s first provides a general introduction University of York and academic ecological journal, the Journal of Ecology to its 100 . . . great success in producing members. Since then the Society has expanded and now wall charts for schools . . . publishes five internationally peer reviewed journals, runs to the ecological science behind Evolutionary ecology of educational and policy it. It is aimed at non-specialists infectious diseases at the programmes, grants and and is a good example of our Society’s offices in London. meetings and provides a work in communicating the Nearly 300 scientists attended supportive network for over science of ecology to the meetings. 4,000 members. policymakers. INTECOL is the International The Society’s centenary was Ecological Association which inspired by the words of the first JOURNALS AND PUBLICATIONS hosts a major international president, Sir Arthur Tansley FRS, scientific meeting every four in that first issue of the Journal One hundred eminent years in partnership with a of Ecology, that the aim of the ecologists were asked to national ecological society. From new Society was to “foster and nominate the paper from the 18-23 August 2013 this promote in all ways the science Society’s journals that they felt meeting will come to London. of ecology”. The Society has most influenced themselves of There will be over forty been doing this for the past 100 the science of ecology. This has symposia on cutting edge culminated in the publication of ecological research, over twenty . . . themed events nationwide for 100 Influential papers published workshops on policy, public in 100 years of British engagement or skills all the family . . . Ecological Society journals. The development and eleven world

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class plenary lectures. Currently centenary. From 15 June to 4 east, learning more about the for schools and non formal around 2000 delegates from August 2013, the Society will be habitats of Wales, to exploring learning groups. These charts across the globe are registered celebrating with its first Festival the marine ecology of the highlight certain ecological to attend the meeting. of Ecology. In partnership with Scottish Islands, ecological issues and show the relevance over sixty organisations, the workshops from Newtownabbey of ecological science across FOR THE PUBLIC Festival includes over 120 to Kent as well as exhibitions, many different disciplines. The ecological themed events talks, activities and walks. wall charts are Food, food and Engaging the public in an nationwide for all the family. Partners include institutions such more food focusing on food appreciation and understanding Events range from a celebration as the RSPB and Wildlife Trusts security, The competition for life of the science of ecology is a of urban trees in Manchester to to international museums such on earth which is concerned fundamental part of the a bee survey across the north with the ecology of pests and as the National Museum of disease, How diverse is life on Wales to universities and small earth? on the diversity of volunteer led institutions. organisms and Is there life The Society had a garden at beyond earth? which shows the RHS Chelsea Flower Show how extreme environments on in May 2013 on the topic of earth can tell us about extreme alien species and which of these environments in other worlds. had been introduced since The charts were accompanied 1913. Over 2000 people came by a series of competitions. to the stand to learn more about Over 32,000 charts have been the science of ecology. distributed. EDUCATION The Centenary celebrations are only just beginning, for more The Society has had great information please go to Copyright Buglife success in producing wall charts festivalofecology.org

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SUPPORTING EXCELLENCE IN SCIENCE EDUCATION: What role can commercial companies play in supporting schools and colleges?

techniques as part of their course only technique they have access methods are on the syllabus but – but for the majority this is to, to answer these questions, is to see a method applied to their limited to a paper exercise. The a melting point measurement – own samples makes it real”. service gives students access to an important and useful The most important part is to the real thing – the same technique to learn – but is it work in partnership with the technology used by really relevant to modern pharmaceutical companies. teacher – provide the resources laboratory work life? Short and the right level of support to Inspire students with modern answer….no and not a very enable teachers to inspire their laboratory technology interesting technique (when students. performed in isolation) to excite The service is based on an students and encourage them to Using automated equipment outsourced model – common Dr Mark Jones consider a career in science and and protocols, we have the practice in industry but rarely Director, RLC-lab technology. capacity to support all schools in encountered in the education the UK – using commercial know sector. Bring the theory alive with real how to deliver a national RLC-lab is a commercial SME data – your sample – your outreach programme at low cost. company providing chemical The process is simple: data Universities and learned analysis and research support • The teacher registers online at An example of the data societies play a vital role in www.rlc-lab.com and requests services to a diverse range of format that the students can outreach programmes – providing barcoded plastic sample vials. companies in the generate when using the service guidance and numerous There is no limit to the number is shown below – HPLC analysis pharmaceutical and fine resources with emphasis on of samples or the number of of aspirin sample encouraging widening chemical sectors. experiments participation (WP) in regions • The student places a small where progression to Higher From the outset we were amount of their product in the Education is traditionally low. keen to develop a company vial and the samples are Once established we were based on commercial activities to returned to RLC-lab in the keen not to operate the service fund in-house research projects addressed packaging provided in isolation – we wanted to work and provide free support services with like-minded partners to add for schools and colleges. • RLC-lab performs the chemical analysis – the data are reported value and resources to ensure In 2011 we set up a unique online via a secure account for ‘best practice’ with respect to chemical analysis service for A- the school. Teachers and Following a successful pilot working with schools and to level Chemistry and BTEC students login to view and study, supported by the Royal address WP concerns. This has Science students. The service is download their data Society of Chemistry (RSC), the been achieved through our free to schools and colleges in service has now been rolled out partnership with Loughborough the UK. The recent SCORE report to all schools and colleges in the University and the Royal Society highlighted a list of concerns UK. of Chemistry. Our aim is to The aims are: about the lack of support for maximise uptake of the service The best measure of the • to give students access to practical science lessons in and to develop other STEM impact of the service is the modern laboratory technology schools and colleges. I would resources in partnership with feedback we receive from add another concern to that list – teachers. • bring the theory alive with real we need students to gain teachers. data – add value & excitement The service is sponsored by experience of relevant modern Jacquie Hanmer, Robert laboratory skills, as used in RLC-lab, Loughborough University • generate positive competition – Smyth Academy, said: “I cannot and the RSC. students comparing data industry, to compete in a global emphasise how wonderful it is market. Due to cost and resource for students to be able to see On a personal level I really • provide the teacher & students constraints UK students are real data on their products. I enjoy working with enthusiastic with an independent measure limited to older, seldom used used it as an example on open teachers and students. I would of their laboratory skills techniques. For example, when day and it generated huge encourage other SME companies performing a chemical synthesis to use their expertise and • build links between Schools, amounts of interest”. the key questions the student resources, based on a similar Universities and commercial needs to answer is a) has the Dr Claire Badger, collaborative model, to help partners reaction worked and b) how Haberdashers’ Aske’s School for inspire the next generation of At school the students are pure is the isolated compound. Girls, said: “This has been of real scientists, technologists and taught about advanced laboratory For the majority of students the benefit to our students … these engineers.

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SPEED National Science and Engineering Week Seminar on Thursday 21st March HOW TO MEASURE SPEED

Dr Michael de Podesta MBE National Physical Laboratory Viewing the world through over 18 orders of magnitude! The ‘clock’ is stopped by the the lens of precision Shown as dots are the speed of first runner breaking a beam of measurement brings our (a) sprinters, (b) bullets, (c) infrared light shone across the scientific vision into sharp focus. neutrinos, (d) bridges, (e) finish line. This records the It allows us to see clearly the continents and (f) sound. We winning time but does not beautiful patterns in nature, and will look in turn at how each of detect who has won! This is to compare them with our these speeds is measured. determined by a ‘photo-finish’ expectations – and so refine our system of beautiful ingenuity. A The timing of a sprint race is model of reality. Measurement is camera captures a picture of the easy to understand. A starter a simple idea but one which is finishing line – just the finishing fires a gun and the ‘bang’ is central to our scientific world line –1000 times each second. supposed to start the race fairly. view. The images of the finishing line However, sound travels through are then stitched together to So let us look at precision air at approximately 340 metres Michael de Podesta considering the make an image that looks like a measurement of speed. We per second so that a runner on possibilities of the NPL-Cranfield distorted photograph, but is in acoustic resonator – the most describe speeds as ‘fast’ or the far side of a 10 metre fact a technical record revealing accurate thermometer in the world. ‘slow’, but these assignations are running track would hear the the time at which each athlete anthropocentric. By ‘fast’ we gun approximately 0.030 crossed the line. mean some measurable change seconds later than the runner on has happened in a ‘heartbeat’ or a ‘blink of the eye’. And by ‘slow’ Measurement is the . . . difficulty in accepting that we mean something which comparison of an unknown shows only a small change in a quantity with a standard continents move . . . ‘long’ time, perhaps one ‘year’, amount of that quantity. So one orbit of the Sun, or a when we weigh 250 grams of the near side of the track. Such Bullets are faster than ‘lifetime’ (hopefully) one flour to make a cake, we are a gap – 30 milliseconds – is the athletes but they are still timed hundred orbits of the Sun. comparing the mass of flour difference between winning and photographically. Cameras not- with the mass of the But we see phenomena losing in many races. For this so-different from those international prototype of the taking place with a vast range of reason, the starting ‘pistol’ is commonly used to capture kilogram. When an engineer speeds. Things which appear now electronic, and it triggers a movies at 30 pictures per measures the temperature of instantaneous to humans are sound which is played from a second can be ‘super-charged’ steam to be 337°C, they are just ‘very fast’, and we find that loudspeaker directly behind to capture movies at up to one comparing the temperature of tiny differences in ultra-fast each runner. This ‘pistol’ also million frames a second. But the steam with the speeds can be of profound starts ‘the clock’. each image needs lots of light to temperature of the triple point significance. Similarly processes allow the passage of the bullet of water. This simple idea, which are slow enough can when applied with ingenuity appear to be stationary. But and thoroughness, transforms precision measurement can our vision of the world. reveal even the slowest of motions – and the results can again be of the most profound significance. The figure shows the range of speeds which are significant for human beings – a range of . . . tiny differences can be of profound significance . . .

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. . . brings our scientific vision into sharp focus . . .

to be recorded. It is at this point However, only 0.000 000 000 – where the apparently 000 016% of the neutrinos instantaneous pulse of a camera were detected (16111). flash appears as a slowly Nonetheless, instead of taking brightening and fading light that 2.436801 milliseconds to reach we truly leave the realm of the detector – they took just speed that is appreciable to 2.436741 milliseconds. humans. In the end this discrepancy was resolved by the discovery of a loose cable which delayed a signal by seventy nanoseconds in a way which no one had considered possible. But the lesson of this experiment is that precision experiments test our expectations of the world. It is A colour-coded photograph of two concrete components on a bridge only because of precision showing that the slab on the left (purple) has moved approximately 7 mm And so to the timing of with respect to the slab on the right. neutrinos, possibly the oddest measurement that anyone particles humans have dared to check our expectations will realise that bridges move all be quickly detected. This is discovered. They have a lower that nothing can travel faster the time. And temperature simpler and cheaper than mass than even the electrons than light. And if they had been changes cause bridges to installing and monitoring arrays which whizz around every atom right, the textbooks would have change shape too. Both of strain gauges and allows the in the universe. Neutrinos had to be re-written, and our vibrations and environmental detection of movement in interact so weakly with ordinary conception of the entire changes cause bridges and unexpected places. universe would have changed. other civil engineering matter that they routinely travel We appreciate that bridges So, although that didn’t happen, constructions to change over through the Earth without move, but the idea that that is the power of precision time – something which is of anyone noticing. As a student I continents can move is more measurement – to make, or obvious interest to engineers wrote an essay on the breath- challenging. And the story of break, our most strongly-felt concerned with the safety of taking experiment in which how we came to understand convictions about the world. such structures. neutrinos were first detected! that not only can they move, but Now we can time neutrinos So let us now consider Once again photography that they are still moving now is routinely. Recently it appeared something at the opposite end comes to our aid. Photographs no less astounding. From early as though neutrinos were of Figure 1 – something we taken from precisely the same suspicions based on the shapes travelling faster than 299 792 generally consider to stationary: location days, months or years of the facing coast of Africa and 458 metres per second – the Bridges. However, if you have apart can detect the slow America; through research speed at which light travels ever stood on a motorway motion of structures – a few showing matching rock and through a vacuum. bridge while a lorry passes you millimetres a year of motion can fossil types; to our modern The experiment in which this theories of plate tectonics. This appeared to happen is complex. gives us a real insight into how Protons (ionised hydrogen science advances. atoms) were accelerated in The fundamental difficulty in Switzerland and fired into a accepting that continents move target which emitted neutrinos. is because their motion is so The beam of protons was slow compared with a human vaguely pointed towards the lifetime – and the moving parts Gran Sasso laboratory in Italy, are so large compared with some 730.53461 kilometres human perceptions. There is no away, a distance known with an way we could become directly uncertainty of 20 cm. Over three aware of this motion. Or so it years approximately seemed. 100,000,000,000,000,000,000 neutrinos were emitted in well- Radio telescopes listen to timed bunches. This is a periodic signals from rotating stars called pulsars. A beam of number so large that it makes The path taken by neutrinos fired from CERN towards the Gran Sasso the UK national debt look small! Laboratory in Italy. radio waves from such a star

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described earlier, sound travels sound in a gas can enable a . . . sound travels through a gas at through a gas at quite a measurement of its temperature. comfortable rate. Fast enough For the last 6 years, my a comfortable rate . . . that we are not conscious of the colleagues and I at NPL have delay as someone speaks, but sweeps past the Earth every as the continents on which they been working to make such a slow enough that we can hear second, and these signals are sit are moving. measurement. Our ‘echoes’ in large rooms. What is analysed by radio telescopes measurements – the most around the Earth. When the The movement is slow – often not appreciated is that the accurate ever – will enable a signals from widely separated typically 20 mm per year or one speed of sound in a gas is new definition of the units of radio telescopes are compared, tenth the speed at which hair directly proportional to the temperature (the kelvin and the a small adjustment must be grows – but it is real and can be average speed with which the degree Celsius) in the near made for the delay as the beam monitored week by week. molecules of the gas are future. This will link the unit of sweeps from one telescope to moving. And because the temperature to measurements My own measurement the other. Analysis of this delay temperature of a substance is of molecular speed and energy shows that the time difference is speciality is the speed of sound. related to the speed of motion – and provide a foundation for changing because the position In contrast to the extremely slow of its molecules, a precise future improvements in of radio telescopes is changing and the extremely fast events measurement of the speed of temperature measurement.

SPEED FAST HORSES, ROBOTS AND NEUROTECHNOLOGIES: Discovering how to go fast on legs

Understanding how animals fraction of this cost will have its is used to stabilise the body, or move is one of the grand roots in mobility; movement is how we manage our noisy challenges of modern science. It central to maintaining both good muscles. Stability may be largely has broad impact on society: it circulation and mental health handled by the mechanics of affects our ability to explain the (Halliwell, 2005; Mental Health the body; sensory input may still biological world, to treat human Found. London). We hope to lay be incorporated, but on longer and animal disease, and to aid the foundation for medical time-scales; or, rapid locomotion those recovering from injury. The advances that improve our may be constrained by motor more we know about how ability to treat those facing a lack noise. biological systems control their of mobility, increasingly We are working to uncover Dr Andrew Spence movement, and how different important as our population Lecturer in Biomechanics, Structure the mechanisms by which organs contribute to locomotion, ages, and thus have a huge & Motion Laboratory, animals (including humans!) Royal Veterinary College the better we will be able to treat impact on the quality of life of achieve their extraordinary feats those with neurological disorders many millions of people. of dexterity, in the face of these or musculoskeletal injury, and to Locomotion is the signature constraints. To do so, we employ inspire new technologies, such as behaviour of animals. In the face advantageous techniques and legged robots. of an unpredictable technologies from diverse fields: Movement is critical to health environment, noisy signals from robotics, computer science, and quality of life. The total NHS sense organs and noisy forces mathematics, zoology, spending on musculoskeletal from muscles, animals are able evolutionary and cellular and and neurological disease in to move with speed, dexterity molecular biology. If we can 2007 was £7.4bn (Featherstone, and robustness. Yet for one of discover the mechanisms that 2010; www.policyexchange.co.uk). the most important types of enable legged animals to go Circulatory problems and mental movement, fast terrestrial fast, robustly and economically, it health together cost the UK locomotion on legs, we do not will have a dramatic impact on £17.2bn, and a significant know how sensory information medicine, technology, and our

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understanding of the world understanding of the control of the key to overcoming the we hypothesise the animal is around us. fast locomotion, and how problem of understanding the using, and therefore control the animals must overlay feedback coupled, complex phenomenon behaviour of the “animal.” We A COMPLEX, DYNAMIC on their tuned mechanics. of fast legged locomotion. can bolt on different legs, or add PROBLEM mass to different parts of the But this presents a major It is an extraordinary time to robot, to understand their effects When a horse gallops at 20 obstacle to our understanding of work in the neuromechanics of on locomotion. Furthermore, we metres per second its hooves how the nervous and movement, because several can then perturb the robot to may be on the ground for as musculoskeletal systems work new fields of science are the point of falling, and in doing little as 90 milliseconds (Fig 1). together to produce locomotion. converging to make possible so without using animals, we are This is not enough time for For us to interpret accurately more rapid progress. First, we contributing to the three R’s of signals to come from sense what the role of each of these are beginning to formulate animal welfare: replace, reduce, organs on the horse’s leg up into subsystems is, we need to quantitative, predictive refine. Where our robots are the spinal cord (or brain!), for examine independently and mathematical models of how decent models of moving the nervous system to perform a manipulate each subsystem, in animals move, that integrate animals, they can completely corrective computation, and for an intact, freely behaving from molecular processes in the replace the need for animal signals to be sent back out to animal, in an ethical way. brain and spinal cord, through experiments. muscles, to develop forces that Understanding how each muscles and the skeleton, all the compensate. This means that subsystem works in the context way out to the forces that limbs Third, slow motion video fast moving animals face a big of all of them is important not exert on the outside world. We cameras have become cheap, challenge: can they use this just because history teaches us are in the early stages, but the and open source libraries for feedback in the next step? Can automatic tracking and analysis they use it to change what other . . . seeking to build prosthetic limbs . . . of video using computer vision legs do? Or are they forced to software have matured. This ignore it altogether? means we can gather and that linking across subsystems is fact that we have mathematical analyse large data sets of more Exciting hints to how they a reliable way of gaining insight models that make testable and better quality motion than remain stable have come from into the whole system, but predictions, despite the ever before. These technologies basic biology. In a famous because disease and injury complexity of the problem, allow us to explore and model experiment, Jindrich and frequently affect only one of means that we have a solid the extraordinary feats of animals colleages (Journal of these subsystems, or organs foundation to work from. that escape the naked eye. Experimental Biology, 2000) within a subsystem, at a time. Second, legged robots have perturbed fast running matured to become fantastic cockroaches by placing a small AN INTEGRATIVE, physical models of moving cannon on their backs, and firing MULTIDISCLINARY, animals that can bring it as they ran quickly. They SYSTEMS APPROACH unprecedented insight into the discovered that the cockroaches So called “systems” mechanisms underlying recover not through reflexes, but approaches, where scientists locomotion (Fig 2). Two of the through mechanical tuning of think about how phenomena major limitations in animal their bodies, legs, and overall occur in a broader context, as locomotion research are that locomotion. Just like a car opposed to drilling down to 1) the experimenter cannot having a tuned suspension to smaller and smaller constituent control the behaviour of, or Figure 2 absorb the impact of potholes, parts, are not just proving critical systematically the body evolution can tune the to our understanding of cells conformation of, the animal, and A BRIGHT FUTURE mechanics of fast moving and molecules. They are 2) it can be unethical to perturb legged animals to handle accelerating our understanding A fourth and final technology freely running animals to the perturbations with the animal’s of how whole organisms, is driving a revolution in point at which they are likely to “chassis,” or body! This has including humans, move and neuroscience, and we are fall over, even though this is the major implications for our behave. And they may provide working to bring about another most important point for helping one in the neuromechanics of with, eg, understanding how animal locomotion. It is called humans fall over. optogenetics, and in many ways Robots can overcome these it is the stuff of science fiction. limitations. Using legged robots With optogenetics, specific that we know move in a similar sets of neurons can be switched manner to animals (like the on or off very quickly using light. RHex robot seen in Fig 2, a six By using genetic tools, we can legged, dynamic running specify which sets of neurons cockroach inspired robot), we express these light switches. can programme them to use One of them, Channelrhodopsin, Figure 1 exactly the type of controller that allows us to make neurons fire

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when we shine blue light on Furthermore, we can do it in our we can really tease apart how autoimmune disorders such as them. Another, Halorhodopsin, close mammalian cousin: the different systems (neural, multifocal motor neuropathy) allows us to silence neurons mouse. It is revolutionising mechanical) contribute to nerves. More and more, we are with yellow light. neuroscience because it allows locomotion. seeking to build prosthetic limbs that interface directly with the To understand the us to study the function of parts CONCLUSION patient’s body. Thus, the more neuromechanical basis of of the nervous system in a we understand our bodies and locomotion, we need to turn on causal manner. Optogenetics Over 100 types of peripheral the signals that the nervous and off specific parts of the and movement are a perfect neuropathy have been system uses to control them, nervous system on the combination because identified, and many of these the more we can help people millisecond time scale. The optogenetics can work quickly illnesses predominantly or with neurological problems or extraordinary, revolutionary and reversibly. By combining exclusively affect the sensory injury. An exciting aim indeed. capabilities of optogenetics optogenetics with a (viruses and bacteria, including mean that, for the first time in neuromechanical approach to shingles, cytomegalovirus, and human history, we have the locomotion, we can see an the Epstein-Barr virus) or motor technology to do this. exciting future ahead in which (spasticity, essential tremor,

SPEED SPEED – OF COMPUTERS

The majority of people alive today cannot remember life without computers. They know that computers dominate our lives, affect most of our everyday actions, and allow us to connect to the world via the internet and live digitally-dominated existences. They also know that, within their living memory, computer speed and storage have always increased, device size has always decreased, and nothing has ever looked like stopping the relentless advance of computer technology. Current petaflop machines (capable of performing over 1015 floating point calculations per second) allow us to make calculations of hitherto undreamed-of speed and accuracy, and the technological advantages of being able to perform such calculations are legion. Professor Alistair Fitt Pro Vice-Chancellor (Research & Knowledge Exchange), Oxford For more than 40 years the predictions singularity” where computers become so Brookes University, and Council of increasing computer power supplied by powerful that they develop a kind of member, Institute of Mathematics and its Applications the famous “Moore’s law” have served us consciousness has engendered serious well, but is there a limit to the march of academic debate, and cannot be ruled computing progress, and what are the out. If this were to happen, would it prove current important challenges? The huge to be a blessing or a curse for energy consumption of modern humankind? computers is one real issue, which will assume increasing importance as the COMPUTERS ALWAYS GET FASTER industry approaches exascale (1018 Flops) We can all argue about the identity of “the first capability. As increases in basic CPU clock computer”. The Chinese abacus of 200BC, the speed falter, ever more complicated 1822 Babbage difference engine, the enigma- technology is needed to ensure that cracking Bletchley Park COLOSSUS of 1943 and Moore’s law still holds, and this will the 1944 Los Alamos ENIAC machine that require huge future investment in calculated the details of the Hiroshima atomic bomb all have their claims to being “the first research and skills. Ultimately, theoretical proper computer”. One thing that we all agree on physics (and in particular quantum is that computers always get faster. theory) places limits on what may be achieved. How do we measure how fast computers calculate? Computing speed is usually measured Finally, and possibly most intriguingly, in Flops (Floating Point OPerations per Second), will computers ever “wake up”? The and historical increases in speed have been possibility of a so-called “technological awesome. The NASA Gemini guidance computer

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of 1963 ran at a peak speed of 2006. This leads to worryingly 7,000 Flops (7 KFlops), the first . . . mobile phone recently won a large carbon emissions: for megaflop (106 Flops) machine grandmaster chess tournament . . . example, the world’s data was the CDC 6600 in 1965, the centres currently emit more tons

CRAY2 of 1985 was the first of CO2 per annum than major gigaflop (109 Flops) computer not in vitro or in vivo, but financial consequences, which countries such as Argentina and and the 1996 INTEL ASCI RED instead “in silico”. Bioinformatics could lead directly to a global the Netherlands. If an exascale boasted a peak speed of over a (including gene sequencing), recession. What are the most machine is to become a reality, tera (1012) Flops. The November social science data analysis and important barriers to continual this will require major advances speed increases? Many believe 2012 speed champion is the the processing of digital classics in energy efficiency. Oak Ridge CRAY XK7, with a assets all require the huge that the main things that we The often-misquoted Moore’s peak speed of over 27 petaflops, computational power that is should be worrying about can law (an observation in a 1965 giving an awesome now at our fingertips. Our be summarised fairly simply as paper by George Moore, Intel’s 27,113,000,000,000,000 sums everyday devices are now so energy challenges, infrastructure co-founder) says that the per second. Figure 1 shows the powerful that an HTC mobile & skills, and natural limits. phone recently won a number of components in increase in computer power First, modern computers use integrated circuits doubles over the years: the “N=1” line grandmaster chess tournament. a great deal of energy. Put very approximately every two years. gives the speed of the world’s These are all wonderful roughly, CPUs expend energy Though Moore’s law has proved most powerful computer at that achievements, but they beg an doing two activities: floating point time, the top line gives the sum obvious question, namely operations and moving data uncannily accurate for over 40 of the power of the top 500 whether or not this relentless around. Though each of these in years, there is a great deal of computers, and the third line technological advance can itself uses only minute amounts evidence to show that this is traces the evolution of the continue, and if so, for how of energy, a petaflop machine unlikely to continue for much speed of the world’s 500th- long. does each of them in such vast longer. As a result, some of our fastest computer. The figure also quantities that its energy biggest challenges concern the WILL COMPUTER SPEED provision of the necessary compares supercomputing ALWAYS INCREASE? requirements are ferocious. The speed with our current familiar 2011 USA McKinsey/Uptime infrastructure and skills as devices: for example, it takes an Many economists have report on data centres estimated Moore’s law fails. Moore’s law average of only 6-8 years for the debated what might happen if that the electricity consumption has held for many years world’s most powerful machine computer speed were to stop of an average data centre is essentially because of increases to become relegated to 500th increasing, and the general equivalent to that of 25,000 in underlying CPU clock speed, place, and my current laptop consensus seems to be that a households, and the worldwide and that has now clearly would have been the world’s halting of the speeding-up data centre consumption stopped. As a result, Moore’s law most powerful machine in late process could have negative doubled between 2000 and can only be achieved now via 1993. What can we do with all this computing power? Many important calculations that were completely beyond us just a few years ago can now be carried out. Highly sophisticated climate change models can help to predict what we need to do to conserve our planet. The calculations carried out by the Large Hadron Collider to confirm the existence of the Higgs boson require the interpretation of mind-boggling amounts of data, and the power of current CFD (Computational Fluid Dynamics) calculations mean that F1 racing teams now rely more on simulation than wind tunnel testing to inform car design. The current capabilities of computational biology and medicine mean that important experiments can be carried out (Courtesy of Jack Dongerra, Tennessee)

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multicore processors, and electron leakage from wires an intimate and sentient, strategic plan forward is hyperthreading and the use of will have to be dealt with. The superhumanly intelligent entity. becoming ever more massively parallel architecture. challenges are truly enormous. One result of this could be that complicated and the stakes Unfortunately much of industry biological science finds ways to could not be higher. uses legacy systems that have “TECHNOLOGICAL improve on the natural human been developed over many SINGULARITY” – THE KRAKEN WAKES intellect. Some aspects of years. The UK software business Technological Singularity theory (worth over £3bn per annum) Finally, it is worth debating are rather scary. Some of its faces the huge challenge that whether computers will ever exponents refer to the “post- almost all software will need to become “conscious”. As humans human” era. It has been noted SPEED change to reflect the new we set great store by the fact that that there is no reason why a National Science and architectures. Research and skills we are conscious, living beings – conscious, superhumanly Engineering Week Seminar are crucial to these changes, and but what are the essential intelligent computer should be on Thursday 21st March worldwide investment is urgently differences between our brains friendly to humankind. Serious required. and a computer? Could it be that scientists across the world We also heard from Lord believe that it is only a matter of Drayson (a previous Minister . . . worldwide investment is time before the singularity occurs. for Science) about his urgently required . . . development of superfast CONCLUSIONS electric cars. This included a Inevitably, there are natural we are no more than extremely film of him accelerating from For many years Moore’s law limits to what can be achieved. sophisticated robots? Many have 0-100mph in just over 3 and increased miniaturisation Nothing can grow exponentially debated this exotic question seconds! have combined to guarantee forever, and we are already without coming to a conclusion. that computer speed and The final talk was from facing barriers imposed by basic Nevertheless, eminent computer scientists regularly discuss so- capacity increase. However, the Professor Steve Jones (UCL), physics. Transistors will soon called “Technological Singularity” days of the improvement via the well known geneticist have to be produced on a theory, which countenances the hardware are drawing to a close. and writer. He gave an quantum scale and be just a possibility that, at some time in We still need investment in amusing account about the few atoms large; circuit etching the near future, superhumanly supercomputer hardware and rates of migration of snails is limited by the 50nm intelligent computers that are in data centres, but even more we (and hence their genes), and wavelength of UV light, and some sense “awake” will need investment in research, then segued into human hitherto unforeseen quantum develop. Further, large computer infrastructure & skills, and populations, and in particular complications such as the networks and their associated software development. The the surname “Jones”. Heisenberg uncertainty principle users may combine to become future is still rosy, but the

AN OASIS IN THE DESERT – The growth of a Science Base in Qatar

The UK Science & Innovation Network has recently appointed an officer to cover the Middle East Gulf region. Based at the British Embassy in Doha, Dominic McAllister covers UK S&I links with Qatar, Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, Oman and Bahrain. He writes about his early experiences of Qatar. You can follow him on twitter @UKScienceQatar.

Coming to a new posting in expectations, but returning after from gas and oil reserves are Dominic McAllister the Middle East after three years 15 years has been an education. principally responsible. Doha is UK Science & Innovation Network in Seoul has been a big shift for The rate of modernisation in literally emerging from the (Gulf) my family. We aren’t new to the Doha was the first revelation. A desert (in many places the region – my daughters are forward looking royal family, a pavements are still sand). The proud of the fact they were born relatively cohesive society, and a traditional souk has been rebuilt, in Riyadh. We had some steady investment of income but is now air-conditioned. The

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peaceful waterfront Corniche outside engineering are a keen to solicit UK advice to of the Programme, the result of provides an escape for families minority. Qatari women ensure research funds are spent which will be announced at weekends. dominate research, but often wisely and to show the Qatari shortly. have cultural restriction on people the value of this A second revelation was the Qatar’s infrastructure travelling and studying overseas. investment. impact of modernisation on a development also provides an The domestic science base will culturally conservative UK/Qatar research interests innovation platform for new always be small, but is population. The Qataris are a are strong and are set to technologies. This week BHR conveniently concentrated minority in their own country. expand. David Willetts visited Group are leading a water around Doha which presents an Estimates suggest they are Qatar and UAE in March and technology mission to Doha opportunity to develop a 300,000 from a total of 1.9 agreed plans to establish high composed of SMEs with streamlined science, technology million. Doha is an expatriate city level education and research expertise in telemetry, pressure and innovation sector. with all the conveniences of a dialogues. The UK Government management, leak detection Western society. Modernisation The research environment is looking to develop a range of and water quality that can has affected the Qatari divides between a traditional research partnerships linking UK augment existing water supply population in both positive and centre based at the segregated research strengths to Qatari and systems. Their objective is to negative ways: easier access to Qatar University and a modern UAE development needs. In get innovation specified in the higher education is leading to centre based around the co- Qatar Imperial College has a tender documents for new new employment opportunities educational international branch research partnership through its water supply projects. The for women; changing diets and campuses at Education City Carbonates and Carbon Storage Embassy is also pursuing similar the advent of fast food have which is home to the Qatar Research Centre on QSTP (£47 technology initiatives in green resulted in growing obesity Foundation (QF). Qatar million over 10 years) – this is construction, rail and food levels – Gulf States have some University has expanded Imperial’s largest overseas security. Qatar scores highly on of the highest levels of diabetes research into: environmental investment. It is also a partner in a range of business indicators and other metabolic diseases studies (ESC), gas processing the Qatar Biobank Pilot Project (stability, effective government, (genetic factors also play a part); (GPC) and advanced materials at the Hamad Medical relative absence of corruption fast cars and an array of driving (CAM). Education City hosts Corporation (£6 million over 3 and a booming economy) styles result in one of the international branch campuses years), a robotic surgery centre, making it a good destination for highest levels of road deaths; from UCL, HEC Paris, a stroke repository, and a R&D investment. Doha is also and lack of Arabic sources of Georgetown, Carnegie Mellon, cardiovascular research centre. fast becoming an ICT hub. information on the internet and Weill Cornell Medical, North- Imperial has links with the new Qatar is keen to associate in the media is leading to a western, Texas A&M, and Virginia SIDRA Research and Medical new science investment to an decline in the use of Arabic in Commonwealth. These focus on Centre. The British Library has Arab Scientific heritage with its the Qatari home. The challenge undergraduate training (except signed a £8.7 million Gulf- links to Western enlightenment. for Qatar’s leaders will be to UCL), but are keen to develop archive project with the Qatar The Doha Museum of Islamic modernise while maintaining a postgraduate courses to support National Library to digitise and Arts has been working with UK Qatari identity. They have a lot research. QF is currently catalogue BL records of the partners to stage exhibitions: of ambition. Qatar will host the launching the Hamad bin Khalifa region and to carry out 1001 Inventions – The World Cup in 2022 and is University which will provide conservation research. Enduring Legacy of Muslim bidding to host the Olympic postgraduate training and The UK has a good record Civilisation (Shell) and Arabik Games in 2024. Over the next research in partnership with (second only to the US) in Roots (Royal Society). ten years Qatar will invest up to European and US partners. attracting grants from the Qatar Astronomy has strong Arabic £147 billion in new Education City hosts a number National Research Fund (QNRF) links. Lord Rees, Astronomer infrastructure including sports of research centres focusing on: National Priorities Programme in Royal, visited Doha in February stadia, a metro system, new environment and energy partnership with local research to give the keynote speech at roads, and new utilities (QEERI), ICT (QCRI), centres. In April two UK/Qatar the 1st Doha International (electricity, water, ICT). biotechnology (QBRI) and research projects – to expand Astronomy Conference jointly cardiovascular medicine (QCRC). organised with St Andrews Qatar also plans to invest the Qatar Exoplanet Survey and It hosts the Qatar Science and University and Qatar has 2.8% of its expanding to help manage the weight of Technology Park (QSTP) and will announced plans to set up a government budget on research. Qatari school children – won be the home of the new SIDRA space museum. It wants to diversify from its oil QNRF exceptional funding worth Research and Medical Centre. and gas industry base and sees £3.85 million. In its five years of Prospects for closer investment in science and R&D investment to date has operation 43 UK institutions UK/Qatar and UK/Gulf R&D technology as key to the lacked an over-arching plan, but have linked up with Qatari collaboration look bright. The development of a knowledge this is changing. In October partners to secure 47 QNRF challenge for SIN Gulf, the economy. The biggest challenge 2012 Qatar launched its R&D grants worth up to $1 million Embassy, the British Council remains the size of Qatar’s strategy in four key areas; each over 3 years. Up to 35% and others will be to raise human capital. Tertiary education energy & the environment, of this grant can be spent in the awareness among UK uptakes are low and those healthcare, ICT, and social UK. A number of UK institutions stakeholders of this significant pursuing science-based degrees sciences & humanities. Qatar is are bidding into the sixth round opportunity.

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UK SCIENCE AND INNOVATION NETWORK IN USA A Special Scientific Relationship: Strengthening the Eight Great Technologies through International Collaboration

Earlier this year, David Willetts, the Minister for Universities and Science, identified “Eight-Great Regenerative medicine should Technologies” in which the UK can become a global leader: Agri-Science, Big Data, Regenerative be a target for bringing in the Medicine, Advanced Materials and Nanotechnology, Synthetic Biology, Robotics and brightest of this group. Autonomous Systems, Energy and Energy Storage, and Commercial Applications of Space. Q: What project are you Ensuring the UK is at the forefront of these technologies will require strong international currently undertaking? collaboration and UK scientists working together with the best in the world. The UK Science and A: Personally, developing Innovation Network (SIN) supports this by working with eminent scientists abroad to try and approaches to tackle kidney help remove some of the barriers to international scientific collaboration. A reflection of the disease. There are no effective strength of UK science is that there are many British scientists in prestigious positions abroad. therapies aside from a kidney This helps SIN tremendously in achieving its goals of promoting UK science and facilitating transplant to treat chronic kidney collaborative research in support of HMG’s agendas for prosperity and growth. Los Angeles and disease. We know how the SIN Chicago interviewed two leading British scientists who are currently working in the United kidney works, we know how the States in the “Great Technologies” of Regenerative Medicine and Nano-Technology. machine is formed during development, but we don't know as much about the normal resonate from high school what mechanisms would you systems that maintain kidney student to clinician. Questions recommend? function and repair acute raised by research and its A: A Funding mechanism that damage. The normal application have ramifications challenges UK and US scientists mechanisms of kidney well beyond biomedicine to to develop teams that are development, maintenance and business, law and public policy. greater than the sum of the repair, provides knowledge for Regenerative medicine is the parts with translational designing new therapeutic type of global challenge that is regenerative medicine as the approaches to treat kidney the lifeblood of a great clear target. The difficulty here is disease. University. what is this word "translational". Q: What’s the greatest future Q: What are the greatest Not all regenerative medicine is challenge in the regenerative ready for the patient. Retinal Dr Andrew McMahon challenges in US-UK medicine and stem cells field? Director, University of Southern collaboration in this field of pigment epithelial implants for A: To turn knowledge into cures. California Broad Center for research? macular degeneration are. Cell transplantation for chronic kidney To change the therapeutic Regenerative Medicine and A: The simplest is funding. Why disease is not. We should not options available to treat injury Stem Cell Research should any investigator put time hobble the development of new and disease. Regenerative and effort into developing any Interview by Sally Mouakkad, therapies for the broad range of medicine may employ cells partnership that has no SIN Los Angeles degenerative diseases by directly to treat disease – the sustainable future? If there is to insisting that all funding ends up bone marrow transplant is a Q: What attracted you to your be success in fostering at an in patient end-point. At the familiar example. But, equally, current post at the Broad collaborations, this has to be same time we should ensure regenerative medicine utilises Center? underpinned by funding that is that the patient is clearly part of stem cell approaches to model earmarked for this. Given a A: The opportunity to harness the basic research strategy. disease, increasingly with the means by which collaboration the full potential of the Meetings help to develop use of patient specific cell types might be fostered, other issues University towards a collective funding mechanisms to support that can replicate disease in a raise their head – intellectual goal of regenerative medicine. At trainees moving across countries. dish. There is enormous property sharing, regulatory body a scientific and translational Clinical research is generally potential to gain insights from oversight and of course distance level, regenerative medicine stronger in the US where the this type of disease modelling – there remains no substitute to engages basic researchers, physician scientist has been a and to develop screens for face-to-face meetings for engineers, clinicians and strength of the medical system. drugs and biologics in well cementing collaborations. computational scientists. The Enabling young clinicians in the controlled laboratory conditions biological processes involved Q: Where is there the greatest UK with a strong interest in the with the right model. The provide compelling examples for opportunity to strengthen US- research pipeline to train in the approaches underpinning our educational mission that UK relations in this field, and US would be particularly useful. regenerative medicine have

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made man the primary model Q: What are nanoscale A: CNM is one of the excellent way to do research. system. Up until now we have materials and why study Department of Energy’s scientific Team science and establishing a used surrogate systems in the them? user facilities – we provide free critical mass of researchers in hope that they reproduce expertise and access to our one place allows us to work A: At a very small, or “nano” human biology. The limit is our equipment to around 450 together to solve grand scale, materials behave ingenuity to model our own industry and academic users per challenge problems. The main differently. The study of systems ex vivo. year from all over the world. To commonalties in both countries nanomaterials is much more gain access, users write a short are the desires to discover, learn than miniaturisation – we are peer-reviewed proposal. If and train the next generation of discovering how changes in size approved, there is free access scientists. change a material’s properties. providing research is published For instance, red stained glass Q: Physics can be a difficult in the scientific literature. What’s actually contains gold subject to engage the public unique about the CNM is that nanoparticles that alter the with. How important is users gain not only access to wavelength of light as it passes outreach in your work? equipment but also expertise of through. Sunscreen contains world-leading scientists who will A: We take outreach very nanoparticles of titanium oxide add value and provide support seriously and are committed to that interact with light and to the projects. engaging with the public. prevent UV reaching the skin. Argonne has held open days Research efforts over the past Q: How international are the where the public can come on decade have enabled us to activities? What is the extent site and see firsthand what we make single nanoparticles – of the interaction with the UK? Dr Amanda Petford-Long do – these have attracted up to current research efforts are Director, Centre for Nanoscale A: We have a very international 20,000 visitors in a single day! focused on putting different Materials, Argonne National Lab base of users and currently have At CNM we participate in nanoparticles together to make 18 projects from 7 UK “Introduce a Girl to Engineering Interview by Jack Westwood, devices and turn nanoscience institutions – although we would Day” where young women are SIN Chicago into nanotechnology. like to encourage more, linked up with a mentor at CNM Materials scientist Dr Petford- Q: Nanoscience was recently especially from industry. The and given projects to work on – Long moved from Oxford to identified as one of the “Eight challenge is in letting the we hope to inspire young Argonne National Laboratory in Great Technologies” that international community know women to consider the physical 2005 and has been Director of Britain excels at – what about our capabilities, and that sciences as a career choice. We the Center for Nanoscale challenges will nanoscale it’s free for researchers to use. also engage with politicians and Materials (CNM) for 3½ years. materials help solve? Prof Greg Wurtz from King’s dignitaries, which is an important Dr Petford-Long is a Fellow of College London was formerly part of our work – we recently A: When you look at the list of the Royal Academy of chair of our users’ executive gave a tour to the Chicago’s the 8 technologies, nanoscience Engineering and maintains committee and is currently British Consul-General and we really does cut through all of strong ties to the UK. working with a researcher here hope to use opportunities like them, and will truly help solve to set up a joint student these to build our links outside Q: What attracted you to grand challenge problems. programme between Argonne the US. Argonne and your current Energy is a big one for us. By and King’s College London. It position? reducing the distance that Q: Some of the best outreach would be great to see more UK electrons have to move, sometimes comes from more A: Argonne was looking to researchers using the CNM as nanomaterials will produce unusual activities – CNM expand their electron we have a concentration of batteries with greater storage recently helped to solve one microscopy efforts to maximise facilities and expertise that is not capacity. It turns out that the of Art History’s great debates their strong research in magnetic available in universities. Perhaps smaller things get, the bigger – how did this come about? materials. The opportunity was a this is something the Science instruments you have to use to great fit for me as there is a and Innovation network will be A: We teamed up with the Art look at them and the more data large concentration of this able to help us achieve. Institute in Chicago to figure out you produce – CNM is therefore research at Argonne and at what kind of paints Picasso used generating truly “big data” and Q: How similar or different is nearby Northwestern University –a longstanding debate amongst managing this is a huge priority. the way science in done in and the University of Chicago. I Art Historians. A tiny flake of Nanoscience is also important the UK vs the US and how do was lucky enough also to be paint was removed from one of outside the physical sciences – they complement each other? able to take a Professorship at Picasso’s pieces and given to us we are helping to develop a Northwestern that allowed me A: In the universities, there’s a for analysis. We used our unique novel cancer treatment with to continue teaching, which is lot of similarity. There is a X-ray nanoprobe to look at the nanoscale magnetic discs which something I loved at Oxford. The realisation in both countries that composition of the paint in the attach to tumour cells and CNM has been a perfect fit for it is now difficult to work in flake which revealed that Picasso destroy them. So our scope of me – I have my own research isolation: the days of a single had used ordinary house paint work at CNM is pretty vast! group, which works on magnetic researcher bravely fighting alone rather than more expensive and ferroelectric nanostructures Q: What makes the CNM are largely behind us. A key artists’ paint and solved the and microscopy and I am close unique and how does it difference is the extensive mystery! to many of my major industrial compare to other research network of National labs in the collaborators. facilities? US, and I believe this is an

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EQUIPPING THE YOUNG FOR LIFE IN WORK Ian Morris Director, British Fluid Power Association

opportunity to experience a packaging machine first hand, or see a litho press working. Indeed the metrology equipment seen in one school would leave many companies green with envy and all of it was being used, not just gathering dust. To increase the utilisation many companies send their staff to these schools in the evenings Machine Shop and Printing for additional training; this brings A lot is being said, and done, suggests that if the student is as the JCB are still very much in income to both the school and in Great Britain at this time to enthused and this is maintained the minority, although one could those members of staff that encourage the young to take then success will be the result. reflect that the technical schools wish to take up the opportunity. greater interest in forging their which we used to have were This short article is not Creating such an atmosphere career in our manufacturing/ based on a similar ethos. One intended to exercise the many in education is undoubtedly engineering/science industries. day maybe learning from the philosophies and theories which special and has been shown to Indeed those very industries are past will become acceptable. abound regarding be so in some areas of the UK. crying out for technically trained apprenticeships and training, but The pictures were taken The many benefits of exposure staff at all levels. Technicians, to show how technical training is mainly in the mechanical to industrial processes at an age engineers, scientists are in great achieved in two schools in engineering section of both when the working world is to a demand and it is fair to say that Northern Italy. The pictures were schools, but they show the scale large extent a mystery cannot be many of the UK’s major taken in Bologna and Verona at of commitment not just from overestimated. The JCB businesses are stepping up to the education system but from Academy and others have the industries which actively started to redress the situation in . . . success is surely the best base . . . support the process. Many the UK and must be applauded industrial processes were for their work. It was clear that the plate and training in ever two unrelated schools. These evident from Building, Electrical, other countries are very much increasing numbers. However, are schools not colleges of Mechanical Engineering, Printing, further down a long road. success is surely the best base further education, but both have Computing, Control Systems and from which to build further a long history of exposing their much more. success thus this piece is not students to the industrial world. . . . many intended to criticise but to add Some outstanding examples This is not exclusive to Italian companies send something to the good work were the machines which had education and equally good already in place. been donated by companies their staff . . . examples of such teaching may giving the students the Recently the P&SC held a be seen at UK establishments, discussion on skills in the STEM such as the JCB Academy in area and relating the effects Rocester which has across science and engineering, demonstrated the benefits of although there is no one best preparing the young for work. way the common agreement However, establishments such

. . . exposing their students to the industrial world . . . Controls room and Metrology

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SKILLS Meeting of the Parliamentary and Scientific Committee on Tuesday 23rd April SKILLS – An industrial perspective

Society depends on the economy, there is therefore public and private sector clients. nurturing of learning and expectation of a need for a 20- With its origins as a customs development of each of us, as 25% rise in this workforce by laboratory and privatised in individuals. In today’s society 2030 (representing almost 60% 1996, LGC has since grown we should be able to rely on of the new jobs, pre-2017) to nationally and internationally a good science, technology, meet demand. Yet we face from a £15m, non-profit engineering and mathematics science-skilled workforce organisation to a >£200m, 20% (STEM) education to help us shortages already of 200,000, profit organisation. Its workforce understand, develop and rising to >500,000; technician has increased 20% during the Julian Braybrook manage the increasing shortages have already been last year to almost 2000 people Director of Strategy and Development, Measurement technological changes that documented. (70% UK-based and 30% Research, LGC face us. As an economy, we http://www.lgcgroup.com/ trade in a global market . . . strong interdisciplinary against countries which have pursued STEM-growth over collaboration . . . ‘Do not train to learn much longer periods of time. Whilst the skills required by international), an almost 8-fold The challenge critical to our by force or harshness; this workforce differ between rise since privatisation. Around economic growth therefore is the different sectors and career two-thirds of its workforce is but direct them to it to create a sustainable levels within them, it is possible science graduate or post- by what amuses their workforce with STEM to identify broad translational graduate level representing qualifications. skill requirements: many disciplines from academia, minds, so that you public sector organisations, the The Government’s Industrial • technicians able to work may be better able to third sector and industry, with its Strategy highlights those with cutting edge scientific science quality having been discover with accuracy economic sectors seen to offer techniques retained as an important future value to our economy the peculiar bent of • graduates able to adopt a ingredient of success. through growth: common scientific language the genius of each’, During this time certain • advanced manufacturing of statistical enquiry, when common skills shortages have Plato. and related services undertaking and become evident across the (especially the aerospace, communicating discovery organisation in our automotive and life science and innovation applicants/recruits: industries, but also the • researchers able to emerging industries) • sufficient key principles of understand the need for core practical training • digital/creative industries strong interdisciplinary collaboration and • ability for self-motivated • knowledge-intensive traded commercial opportunity and problem solving services (professional and related financials. business services) • attention to detail LGC, formerly Laboratory of • enabling industries (energy, • strong written and oral the Government Chemist, is a low carbon economy and communication skills science-based company engineering/construction operating in a variety of • exposure to an industrial industries). international markets which environment. With a current 20% of the underpin the safety, health and As a fast-growing organisation workforce in science-based roles security of the public and the in changing market sectors, there across all sectors of the UK regulation of industry, for both are additional, more particular, skills requirements and . . . skills shortages have become evident . . .

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challenges that are currently was a BTEC in Applied Science Government Chemist, has In summary, I would like to being faced: (Forensic Science) equivalent to traditionally recruited post- highlight the following points: two A levels – awarding body, graduates and provided them • well-developed business • Business needs to be an EDEXCEL – and the NVQ was with in-house training to develop skills such as integral partner in the also equivalent to A level or the ethos and capability for high development of a demand- communication, negotiation, level 3 standard – awarding accuracy reference led STEM framework which sales and business body, PAAVQSET. The Royal measurements and reference incorporates clear career development Society of Chemistry (RSC) standards. pathways based on labour Registered Science Technician • key project management Recruitment has however market information Award was added by ourselves skills to deliver quality data become increasingly more of a • There is a need to gather as external validation of the in time and at cost challenge over the last 10 years, deeper skills intelligence programme, as we didn’t just nationally, such that we have across ALL business sectors • the pace of technological want to deliver what was had to recruit internationally to with a view to identifying development and growth needed, rather something that find the necessary skills and best practice for STEM means skill demands have was an example of best practice. aptitude. At the same time, the engagement and career had to be resourced in a nature of work also changed development . . . an opportunity for school leavers . . . with an increasing maturity of • There should be an available skills; so the staff mix increase in focus on the timely fashion to avoid the LGC enriched the 18-month was reviewed to draw on teaching of core sciences potential for outstrip of apprenticeship framework by Masters level students with in- and mathematics supply offering training in a range of house training on the job and • STEM learning needs to be other areas, including courtroom • dependence on a secure potential for PhD programmes flexible and transportable training and general forensic supply of strategically with academia (four LGC staff for easy movement within awareness, crime scene and important skills leads to a currently completing PhDs in- career pathways and disaster victim identification natural nervousness over awareness, blood pattern . . . apprentices out-performed the on-going and future recognition and exposure to a supply of scientists. body bequeathal centre. original expectations . . . Two case studies from the Many of the apprentices out- house, with different academic between employment company highlight the performed original expectations institutions). We also fund a platforms. Learning should approaches that we as an to levels comparable with number of Collaborative Awards also be more investigative industry have faced. graduate examiners. LGC has in Science and Engineering and enquiry-based, with the LGC Forensics, the UK’s therefore developed a new (CASE) studentships at other relevance of STEM in largest, full-service forensic career structure within the academic institutions. We have a everyday life emphasised, science provider, now operates business to allow successful Knowledge Transfer Partnership so that the changing demands of the economy in a highly commoditised graduate apprentices to continue programme to bring in particular can be met marketplace. Fashionable sector- to develop with us. As of today, expertise to underpin a future specific, multi-disciplinary 80% of our cohort have potential service offering. By the • There needs to be greater qualifications at Masters level employment with LGC as junior summer of 2013, our first opportunity for work have generally shown examiners or with other apprenticeship will also have experience and the development of training themselves to be insufficiently employers in the science sector been placed. and qualifications, especially appropriate. We therefore or have accepted places at Currently, recruitment is for technicians. wanted to make a change to the University this autumn. Due to somewhat better, nationally, way that we recruit forensics its success, LGC will have perhaps due to changes in the SKILLS scientists; we saw an extended its apprenticeship pharmaceutical and financial opportunity for school leavers, programme into 4 of 5 of its Meeting of the Parliamentary sectors or with the introduction with the right training, to offer a Divisions by summer 2013. and Scientific Committee on of academic course and future real contribution to our business. Tuesday 23rd April LGC Science and career potential considerations, We therefore recruited our first We also had presentations Technology measurement but a longer-term provision of cohort of 20 apprentices. from Diana Garnham research, the home of the measurement science skills, say (Science Council) and Bill LGC chose the optional units designated UK national through a suitable broad-sector Twigg (SEMTA). from the lab technician metrology institute (NMI) for post-graduate institute, may offer framework so that the technical chemical and bioanalytical huge potential benefit to the UK A summary of these will be certificate (teaching qualification) measurement, and of the and our business. published in our next issue.

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WATER PURITY Meeting of the Parliamentary and Scientific Committee on Tuesday 14th May WATER QUALITY – a Water Company Perspective At Anglian Water, we’re putting water at the heart of a whole new way of living, encouraging everyone to Love Every Drop.

We supply water and physical and chemical standards; plumber to carry out work in a wastewater services to more not just as it leaves the water way that will not affect the than six million domestic and treatment works but right up to quality of water. business customers in the east the point of consumption – The next most common of England and Hartlepool. usually the kitchen tap, and this cause is pollution from brings a whole set of challenges Clive Harward Our population has grown by agricultural sources, for example and risks in itself. Head of Water Quality and 20% in the last 20 years, but Environmental Performance, pesticides. While many of these Anglian Water we still provide the same Compliance with drinking substances can be removed by amount of water today as we water standards is extremely our treatment processes, some did in 1990 – almost 1.2 billion high at 99.96%. However the pesticides, for example litres every single day – by small number of compliance metaldehyde (used to control minimising leaks and failures is often associated with slugs), would cost billions of encouraging customers to use issues outside a water pounds to remove. In these water wisely. company’s direct control. The cases a combination of controls most common cause of Our region stretches from the and regulations are needed, as compliance failures are Humber north of Grimsby to the well as a catchment based associated with the impact that Thames estuary and then from approach to help prevent the customers’ premises have on Buckinghamshire to Lowestoft pollution at source. the quality of the water leaving on the east coast. Our their tap. This can be due to the BEHAVIOURAL CHANGE 112,833 km of water and plumbing system, fittings and wastewater pipes supply and Our Love Every Drop strategy devices used in the home, for transport water across an area of is about securing water supplies example taps, water softeners, 27,500 square km. for local people and businesses, storage tanks, incorrectly promoting local knowledge We’re the largest water and installed rain water harvesting about water use and climate wastewater company in England and solar heating systems. and Wales by area. change, and changing how We work closely with WRAS people think about and use DRINKING WATER – the Water Regulations water. QUALITY AND HEALTH Advisory Scheme – to help We currently have two ensure that products and fittings Safe drinking water is behaviour change campaigns that are approved for use do not fundamental to public health supporting this strategy. Keep it have a negative impact on water and we take our responsibilities quality. We are also a founding Clear aims to reduce pollution for supplying water which is member of WaterSafe, the incidents from sewer blockages, safe, clean and wholesome national approved plumber and Drop 20 encourages extremely seriously. scheme which brings together customers to reduce their water Wholesome drinking water is all the UK approved plumber use by 20 litres per day and has defined in regulations and has schemes under a single contributed to saving 60 Ml of to meet stringent umbrella so that customers can water in 2012. microbiological, aesthetic, find a trained, competent Half of the blockages in Anglian Water’s sewer network . . . 1.2 billion litres every single day . . . are avoidable, caused by people putting unflushable items (wipes

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addition of new substances to This means that alternative . . . supplying water which is safe, clean this list. This proposal control measures, such as and wholesome . . . recommended two hormones product substitution or more (17alpha-ethinylestradiol (EE2), advertising of pharmaceutical and sanitary waste) and fats, oils less in the shower (16 litres). 17beta-estradiol (E2)) and a take-back schemes need to be and grease (FOG) down toilets Using billboards, radio adverts, painkiller (Diclofenac) be added explored, to prevent pollution at and sinks. 60% of sewer leaflets and conducting (among others). The excretion source. flooding in homes and of such compounds by humans roadshows we are encouraging JOINED UP POLICY environmental pollution is recognised as the main everyone to take part, and have MAKING incidents are as a result of a already given away 5,000 water source of these pharmaceuticals, blockage. By reducing avoidable butts to make it easy for as they enter rivers via Overall water quality in the blockages we reduce the risk of customers to act. discharges from wastewater UK is very high. However there these incidents. treatment plants. are a number of factors beyond ENVIRONMENTAL the direct control of water We undertook extensive In order to understand the WATER QUALITY companies that can have a research with our target prevalence and fate of these detrimental impact. We need audience – householders and As science develops we are substances in wastewater, a joined up policy, and concerted food serving establishments able to detect more substances national study was action by all parties, to tackle (FSEs) to understand current in the environment at lower commissioned by the water these environmental challenges. behaviours and the barriers and levels. The real challenge is to industry and supported by Policy needs to prevent pollution motivators for change. We then evaluate their ecological impact, regulators, known as the at source rather than rely on devised interventions to make it and determine whether they Chemical Investigations expensive and unsustainable easy for customers to act. present a risk to public health Programme (CIP) from 2009 to and therefore need to be 2013. Over 70 substances were treatment to remove it. Each location starts with a controlled. Recent studies have monitored at 162 treatment EU chemicals legislation personalised mailing to focused on potentially eco-toxic, plants, with over 200,000 (REACH) contains mechanisms customers giving advice on how persistent or bio-accumulative samples analysed. suited to controlling substances to dispose of FOG and substances. at source, which is hugely unflushables responsibly. The study showed that the important. However REACH Outdoor and local media Environmental policies have vast majority of substances were assesses only environmental advertising and a community reduced exposure to harmful removed during conventional impacts not drinking water engagement programme is then impacts. In our experience undertaken through a long-term . . . the local messenger that residents prevention is better than cure, partnership with a lead voluntary “know and trust” . . . and therefore we would like to organisation – the local see products assessed for their messenger that residents “know environmental contaminants in wastewater treatment. However impact on drinking water quality and trust”. air, water and food over the the level of reduction from the as well as on the environment We also work with decades. However, some process depended on a number before being approved for restaurants and food outlets to contaminants are still a problem, of factors, such as the type of market. advise them on the correct way and several new health risks are treatment employed. Achieving Standards setting the level of to dispose of fats, oils and emerging. For example, new higher levels of removal to meet chemicals allowed in water must grease. chemicals, products and proposed environmental be based on strong evidence, changing lifestyle all play a part. standards are likely to be Overall the programme is taking account of the full particularly challenging. achieving sustained behaviour European legislation sets out environmental impact alongside Experience within the water change with an average of 51% a list of substances such as financial and carbon costs. We industry has shown that a blockage reduction achieved metals and pharmaceuticals would like to see a detailed technology that is successful at across the eight locations which present a significant risk regulatory impact assessment one site, or for one substance, is targeted to date, compared to to or via the aquatic before the introduction of any not necessarily successful for previous years. environment. The substances, new standards for the another. Also the costs to such as metals and permissible levels of priority Our water efficiency remove these substances at pharmaceuticals, are designated substances in the environment. behaviour change campaign, treatment plants run into billions as Priority Substances (PS) or Drop 20, focuses on the of pounds and generate Priority Hazardous Substances benefits of simple changes in significant carbon emissions. (PHS), and are required to be behaviour to reduce water monitored in the environment. consumption, from fixing . . . Standards must be based on dripping taps (saving 3 litres a In early 2012 the European strong evidence . . . day) to spending two minutes Commission proposed the

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WATER PURITY WATER PURITY – MYTHS AND CHALLENGES

contamination of purified water magnesium, even if it is just a case of environmental waters can cause major problems in the trace amount. These minerals they would be expected to have laboratory. Even if organic and are the ones that define achieved good (ecological) inorganic chemical impurities are whether water is hard or soft, status as described in the EU removed down to the limits of and they play a role in taste. Water framework Directive. detection, bacterial growth can Water supply companies still occur, even though very pure WHAT IS REQUIRED TO achieve healthy water by water provides an extremely DETERMINE identifying the unhealthy harsh environment with ACHIEVEMENT OF contaminants in their water and Kevin Prior MBA FRSC FCIWEM apparently negligible nutrient THOSE CRITERIA? CChem CSci CWEM then taking action to remove content. To avoid metallic Chair, Royal Society of Chemistry them. Consumers can further In order to determine if water Water Science Forum contamination of the water, purify if they wish. has achieved the required laboratory water purifiers are standards the following constructed using plastics. The The public discussion about measures are required. There bacteria can use these materials water will switch from the notion must be: that are in contact with the pure of ‘pure’ to ‘healthy’. ‘Healthy’ • Appropriate evidence based water as a carbon food source water is attainable, whereas pure quality standards to sustain them, and then when water is not. And just what is they die they release further healthy water? ‘Healthy’ water • Appropriate risk based contaminants into the water. If has a pH that does not monitoring and testing this bacterial growth is not adversely affect human • By accredited laboratories minimised, it can cause biological processes; the INTRODUCTION significant difficulties in the day- optimum appears to be • With competent technical to-day operation of the between pH 7 and pH 8. staff Water purity is a complex laboratory. Harmful contaminants such as All these need to be term and is often approached in disinfection by-products eg reviewed at appropriate intervals. a subjective manner. WHAT DO PEOPLE MEAN trihalomethanes, and any BY “PURE WATER”? harmful chemicals or metals, Examples of evidence based What are we talking about: whether man made or naturally quality standards include World water contamination or perhaps From a drinking water occurring, have been identified Health Organisation’s drinking environmental pollution? In the standpoint, most references to and removed with the water standards and UK United States, the EPA defines "pure water" emphasise bacteria appropriate treatment. Environmental Quality Standards. "pure" water as water free from content and not the chemical all types of bacteria and viruses. contaminant concentrations. WHAT DOES A WATER EUROPEAN DRINKING In the UK drinking water has to There is no such thing as SCIENTIST MEAN BY WATER DIRECTIVE be “wholesome”. But there is pure water. The very concept of “PURE WATER”? This Directive (98/83/EC) more to purity than just that. ‘pure’ water is misleading. Pure From a water scientist’s concerns the quality of water water does not exist in nature. Water is a compound made perspective, water purity is intended for human Water is the universal solvent. up of hydrogen and oxygen, so considered within the context of consumption and forms part of Even as it falls to earth as rain it pure water would be water that its anticipated use. Drinking the regulation of water supply picks up particles and minerals contains nothing but hydrogen water should be wholesome and sanitation within the in the air. And as soon as it hits and oxygen. However, pure and meet all regulatory European Union. The Directive the ground it captures minerals water of this sort does not requirements whereas water protects human health by laying from the soil and rock upon normally exist except in the destined for use by industry, down healthiness and purity which it lands and then makes controlled environment of a agriculture or horticulture should requirements which must be its way into streams and rivers. laboratory. Even in a laboratory be “fit for use”. The quality met by drinking water within the pure water is hard to come by. Most water will contain standards are determined for Community. It applies to all For example, bacterial certain ions, such as calcium and the most part by the user. In the water intended for human

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consumption apart from natural and inspection system for both WATER SECURITY both greywater and rainwater mineral waters and waters which drinking water and environmental reuse. For the first time, Water quantity as well as are medicinal products. waters and aquatic emissions. guidance introduces embedded quality (purity) has also to be water quality parameters for In setting contaminant levels The analytical laboratories are taken into account when water reuse applications. the Directive applies the accredited to ISO/IEC considering water security or Compliance with these precautionary principle. For 17025:2005 General sustainability. parameters is designed to example, the EU contaminant Requirements for the For water to be considered ensure public health is not levels for pesticides are up to 20 Competence of Testing and renewable it has to be used at compromised. times lower than those in the Calibration Laboratories. less than the regeneration rate. WHO drinking water guidelines, The guidelines in BS 8525 In addition Drinking Water In other words, renewable because the EU directive not have taken the standards Laboratories are required to resources are limited. The faster only aims at protecting human included in the Bathing Water comply with the Drinking Water you use them the quicker they health but also the environment. Directive and developed values Technical Standards (DWTS) run out. As demand for water based on detailed research into issued by the DWI (in England rises combined with increasing WHO CONTAMINANT specific applications where and Wales) and DWQR (in urbanisation, alternatives to LEVELS greywater is to be used. Scotland). DWTS is necessary in removing water from the The WHO contaminant levels addition to ISO 17025 to ensure environment have to be The guidance recommends are already set so that there fit for purpose results. considered. that whilst frequent water would be no potential risk if the sampling is not necessary, it is These standards also set out contaminant was absorbed good practice to observe water the required competencies of continuously over a person's “the reliable availability of quality during maintenance people involved in determining if lifetime. EU drinking water an acceptable quantity and checks. There is more detailed the necessary standards have standards and cases where quality of water for health, information in the Environment been met. Demonstration that these standards are temporarily livelihoods and production, Agency publication Greywater the competencies have been exceeded by a small margin coupled with an acceptable for domestic users: an achieved and verified by a third should be interpreted in this level of water related risks” information guide. party can be done by gaining context. relevant profession accreditations Mike Muller, Graduate The Water Sciences Forum WHO specifies health related such as Chartered Chemist School of Public and within the RSC role in ensuring guideline values rather than one (CChem) status within the Royal Development Management water purity and water security is fixed blanket limit, irrespective of Society of Chemistry. Other University of the non-partisan and to act as an substance toxicity. scientific based professional Witwatersrand South Africa “honest broker.” registers accreditations include For example WHO states Water Scientists should those granted by the Science “Because of their low toxicity, the The options for increasing identify the evidence needs and Council. health-based value derived for water availability in urban areas gaps, enable debate, and help AMPA 1 alone or in combination The Professional Registers include: influence policy. consist of the three designations with glyphosate is orders of • Rain water harvesting magnitude higher than below: CONCLUSION concentrations of glyphosate or • Aquifer recharge Chartered Scientist (CSci) is Water Purity means “not AMPA normally found in drinking a well-established award, with • Affordable sanitation harmful.” Scientists and water under usual conditions. technologists cannot impose over 15,000 scientists having • Desalination and similar The presence of glyphosate and solutions on citizens which achieved it since its launch in processes AMPA in drinking water does not 2004. Candidates will typically be guarantee water purity. Water represent a hazard to human in senior scientific or managerial • Reuse and recycling Policies need to be based on health. For this reason, the sound science and evidence to roles, qualified to at least QCF There are existing regulatory establishment of a formal be successful. Consumers, level 7 and applying their quality standards for: guideline value for glyphosate knowledge in their roles. citizens, politicians and scientists and AMPA is not deemed • Drinking (potable) water must all work together to necessary.” This also applies to Registered Science standards achieve success. Technician (RSciTech) is a new metaldehyde where many Reference award to provide recognition for • Environmental standards millions of pounds have been 1 Aminomethylphosphonic acid spent trying to remove totally those working in technical roles. • Environmental emissions harmless levels. Registered Scientist (RSci) is While there are no SAMPLING AND TESTING a new award to provide regulations covering the quality recognition for those working in of reused water, the British Within the UK there exists a scientific and higher technical Standards Institute (BSI) has risk based regulatory sampling roles. produced some guidelines for

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WATER PURITY MURKY WATERS: phosphorus mitigation to control river eutrophication

inputs to rivers from sewage and concentrations from c 0.6 to c of P applied to agricultural land agriculture can be particularly 0.08 milligrams per litre. as fertilizer or manure is problematic in stimulating algal exported directly out of the To mitigate agricultural P growth. Our UK lowland rivers watershed (through P loss from inputs, best management are particularly vulnerable to the soil in runoff when it rains practices have been adopted, eutrophication, owing to the and removal of P in grain and which address P source controls high population density and animal produce). The remaining (eg the rate, method and timing intensive agriculture, which 70-80% of the applied P enters of P applied as fertilisers or generate large fluxes of nutrients catchment and water body P manure) and transport controls Professor Helen Jarvie to our rivers. This is exacerbated stores, which build up over time (eg conservation tillage, contour Centre for Ecology & Hydrology, by high demands for water and release ‘legacy’ P, as the P Wallingford. ploughing and riparian buffers). abstraction for domestic supply, storage capacity becomes Although these have been very industry and irrigation which, saturated, or after changes in successful in reducing P Professor Helen Jarvie is a coupled with climate variability land use, land management or concentrations in field runoff, Principal Scientist in Water and a move to drier summers, wastewater treatment. This there has often been Quality at the Centre for Ecology reduces river flows and the means that, even when disappointingly little and Hydrology, Wallingford, and capacity for rivers to dilute and remediation measures reduce P improvement in downstream Adjunct Professor in Fluvial attenuate these nutrient inputs inputs, P release from legacy water quality as a result of Sciences at the University of at times of greatest stores can mask downstream agricultural remediation. More Arkansas, USA. eutrophication risk. Over the last improvements in water quality. widely, despite decades of P- few decades, reducing P inputs The variable residence and based mitigation, many to rivers has become the main recycling times of P within these restoration programmes have international strategy for limiting terrestrial and aquatic stores not yet achieved the expected freshwater eutrophication and is a key target for the EU Water Eutrophication (enrichment . . . not yet achieved the expected Framework Directive, in order to of waters with phosphorus (P) achieve “Good Ecological Status” ecological improvements . . . and nitrogen (N), causing in our rivers. nuisance excessive growth of magnitude and extent of water suggest that the legacies of past aquatic plants), is one of the Upgrades to treatment of quality and ecological land-use management may biggest causes of surface water sewage effluent (which strip P improvements, for example, in continue to impair future water quality impairment, and is of from the final effluent before Chesapeake Bay, the Great quality over timescales of years pressing national and global discharge into rivers) have Lakes, or the Gulf of Mexico. or decades. concern. Eutrophication can yielded some dramatic This disappointing response to P Secondly, ecological cause reductions in plant improvements in river P remediation has puzzled responses do not necessarily biodiversity and toxic algal concentrations over the last catchment managers, but two conform in simple and blooms; loss of dissolved couple of decades. The Centre important factors are starting to predictable ways to reduced P oxygen (from the death and for Ecology & Hydrology’s River emerge: decay of large amounts of plant Thames Initiative studies have concentrations. Algal response biomass), resulting in death of shown how P stripping from Firstly, the continued long- can become decoupled from P fish and invertebrates; increases final sewage effluent has term release of P from ‘legacy P’ concentrations during in costs of water treatment for reduced P concentrations in stores. Legacy P stores have remediation. The example from potable supply; and reduced rivers across the Thames basin. accumulated in soil, river the River Kennet illustrates the amenity value of our rivers, lakes For example, on the River sediments, wetlands, riparian challenges we face: before the and coastal areas. Of particular Kennet in the upper Thames floodplains, lakes, groundwater upgrades to effluent treatment, concern are nuisance algal catchment, P stripping at and estuaries, as a result of the baseline P concentrations in blooms and P is often the Marlborough sewage works in inefficient use of P in past and the river downstream were c 0.6 limiting nutrient for freshwater 1997 resulted in a dramatic on-going land-use management. milligrams per litre, but there algal growth. This means that P reduction in baseline ambient P Annually, only around 20-30% was healthy chalk stream

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ecology, including abundant targets are met. While increasing limiting algal growth. Reducing they drain. Correspondingly macrophyte (higher plant) P concentrations can increase the invertebrate grazing there are extremes in flow that growth which provides an algal biomass, it does not pressure, for example by come with the climate instability important habitat for fish and necessary follow that by, stocking rivers with fish (such as that the UK is experiencing. In invertebrates. However, within a reducing P concentrations, brown trout), which predate on this context, extreme drought couple of years of effluent recovery will follow the same the invertebrate grazers, can conditions may be particularly remediation (which resulted in a trajectory. These are complex result in proliferation of algae. problematic and very difficult to seven-fold decrease in baseline and inter-linked ecological There are also important address within environmental river P concentrations), attached systems and it is often difficult physical habitat controls; for management. Further, there are algae had proliferated and to ascertain the cause of these example, cutting down riparian other co-limiting nutrients, such shaded out the macrophytes, unexpected ecological tree cover increases light as nitrogen, to consider. While P resulting in a major degradation responses. For example, P availability to the river, which can has an important role in in the aquatic ecology. This concentrations may not have also promote algal growth. promoting nuisance algal response to dramatically been reduced sufficiently to Similarly, channel management, growth, if we want to reduce the lowered P concentrations seems reach the critical thresholds for which impedes river flow and impacts of eutrophication, we counter-intuitive, but this is just algal growth limitation, and there reduces water flow velocity can also need to consider a wider one of numerous examples, are other ecosystem feedbacks also promote algal accrual while range of controls, including where P remediation does not and drivers that can come into standing waters such as lakes physical habitat, other nutrients always yield the desired play. Grazing by invertebrates and canals may seed algal and top-down controls linked to ecological outcomes, even when provides a ‘top-down’ control on growth within rivers to which food web (invertebrate and fish

(a) (b)

WHICH DO YOU PREFER? These photographs challenge our perception about what constitutes ‘Good Ecological Status’:

(a) This appears to be the cleanest of the three water bodies, and is used for boating and recreation. However, the lack of algal growth is actually a consequence of upstream industrial discharges, which result in the presence of a mix of heavy metals and organic micro-pollutants, including herbicides, which limit algal growth.

(b) This is a canal, which receives very high phosphorus (P) inputs from sewage effluent (with canal water P concentrations at c 2 milligrams per litre), but supports a high diversity of aquatic plants, and is classed as a ‘Site of Special Scientific Interest’ in terms (c) of reed bed habitat.

(c) Visually, this appears to have the worst water quality. ecological status and the aesthetic appearance of our rivers and However this highly turbid river, with high levels of phytoplankton (ii) the need to open up the dialogue for wider community (floating algae), actually has the highest ecological classification in consultation to assess what sort of river environments we want, terms of macroinvertebrate biodiversity score. that are achievable and that we are willing to pay for.

So appearances can be deceptive; these photographs illustrate Source: I. J. Bateman, University of East Anglia; see Bateman, I.J (i) the divergence between quantitative measures of chemical and et al. (2006) Journal of Agricultural Economics, Vol. 57, 221–237.

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interactions), to promote more ‘Which do you prefer?’). nuisance algal growth in rivers makers, the decisions cannot be resilient ecosystem functioning. Initiatives such as the Catchment and their associated downstream taken within science: decisions Restoration Fund and the rise of ecosystems. However, the about allocation of resources We also need to consider third sector organisations such complex recovery trajectories & and priorities for remediation what sort of river environments as the Rivers Trusts are also lags in response to remediation need to be made within the are desirable to the wider helping wider community are not an excuse to do nothing; context of wider societal goals, community and also achievable engagement by promoting and balancing competing and affordable. Many of our nor are they an excuse to campaigns to restore and demands for environmental rivers have been physically impose more restrictions on any protect river environments. improvement, food security, impacted by human activity over one stakeholder. To address These include a broader remit of depletion of easily-mined many hundreds of years. The legacy P, the priority must now restoring a wider range of mineral P reserves and River Basin Management be to ‘draw-down’ existing P ecological functions and increasing costs of fertilizer Planning process (required legacies and prevent future services, including aquatic and production, and the under the EU Water Framework legacy P build-up through source riparian habitat management. development of sustainable and Directive), is helping to engage controls, which balance P inputs Such approaches not only vibrant rural and urban wider stakeholder involvement and recycling more efficiently. benefit the aesthetic and communities and economies. in identifying how water quality Nutrient (including P) mitigation amenity value of river impairment impacts is just one important part of a environments but also promote communities and what larger toolbox of measures to more tightly coupled nutrient constitutes healthy river promote more resilient river cycling, and ecosystem resilience environment. This dialogue is of ecosystem functioning. Simple, For more information, see: to perturbations. great importance because there pragmatic, and easily applicable Jarvie, H.P., Sharpley, A.N, can be considerable divergence In conclusion, we face an management tools linked to Withers, P.J.A, Scott, J.T., between what is visually “inconvenient truth” that P- public perceptions of “good” Haggard, B.E., Neal, C. (2013). perceived as good water quality based nutrient mitigation, long water quality are also needed, Phosphorus mitigation to control and an attractive river regarded as the key strategy in and policies on eutrophication river eutrophication: murky environment, and the eutrophication management, in control need to be based on waters, inconvenient truths and quantitative measures used to many cases has not yet yielded best-available scientific ‘post-normal’ science. Journal of define “Good Ecological Status” the desired improvements in understanding. However, while Environmental Quality, 42, (see accompanying Figure water quality and reductions in science can help decision p295-304. HOW WELL IS WATER?

Water represents an technologies and infrastructure Adviser chairs the UK Water opportunity for growth because that does so. Great research Research and Innovation every business, household and needs to be taken up by Partnership which aims to help person needs water no matter innovators and innovations need private, public and third sectors where in the world they are. The to lead to marketable products address both the water security UK has an excellent research and new ways of managing challenge and the national and track record in water and an water resources. The new international economic growth excellent reputation for products and services will have and social development delivering high quality drinking to take account of the extreme opportunities. Recently, Dan water and waste water variations in rainfall that lead to Osborn spoke to the All Party management. But this is no time floods on the one hand and Parliamentary Group on Water Recently, Dan Osborn, from the to rest on our laurels. The droughts on the other that will about the global context of water Natural Environment Research challenges from environmental be a continuing and perhaps and the progress UKWRIP Council spoke to the All Party change, population growth and increasing feature of the UK members are making to address Parliamentary Group on Water demographic developments “waterscape”. Thus, the growth and resilience issues about the global context of water (such as ageing) mean that the Government Chief Scientific associated with water. and the progress UKWRIP UK must examine critically its members are making to address water security position and take growth and resilience issues the opportunities presented by a . . . increasing feature of the UK associated with water. global need to supply water and “waterscape” . . . deploy and refurbish the

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THE GLOBAL ECONOMIC that implementing appropriate water the UK depends on for research to innovation and a AND BUSINESS measures set out under its food and manufactures is water study in hand to see how other CONTEXT section on “Water cycle originating overseas, the way UK countries succeed in getting catchment management: businesses approach water innovative products and services The World Economic Forum integrating nature into water, innovation and the creation of into the market place. This will annually assesses risks to the waste water and flood new business opportunities is recommend what steps the UK world economy on an annual management was important to less well tied into the outputs needs to take if it wants to basis and water has risen near UK businesses and society” and outcomes from research emulate best practice. the top of the tree (see could lead to savings of about than it is in other countries. http://www.weforum.org/reports /global-risks-2013-eighth- £5bn. Views of stakeholders and edition). Water supply is seen as business on such matters can . . . growing interest in water the top societal risk and many of be seen at (http://www.you and waste-water . . . the other top risks are linked to tube.com/playlist?list=PLDKjigqX water. Failure to take action to ww5hWDCKQMVA2CSUhV- UKWRIP (chaired by the There is a growing interest in address such issues could cost DaEkUS ). Government Chief Scientific water and waste-water in an at least $250bn for water supply THE ENVIRONMENTAL Adviser) was formed to see urban context where the UK alone. Overall, water issues rank CONTEXT whether links between research, could take a global lead if the alongside the challenges (and innovation and the market place right kinds of investments in opportunities!) that climate The UK as a whole could not could be improved. UKWRIP has demonstration facilities can be change presents. The magnitude be more aware of the variability the twin aim of helping achieved. This may need of the risk is, in turn, equivalent in weather and rainfall patterns (a) improve the UK’s water support from both the public in many respects to those posed that have happened over the security and (b) the UK get a and private sector and there are by the lack of liquidity and the past few years. There have been larger share of the global water models to base action on in financial crisis itself. dramatic swings from drought to market. UKWRIP members are other business sectors such as . . . global water market is worth from the private, public (research energy. UKWRIP’s Infrastructure and innovation; policy and Action Group (funded by UKWIR about $500bn . . . regulation) and third sectors. – the water utilities research Private sector groups cover the arm) has already reported on Business opportunities in flood, low rainfall to high. utilities, the supply chain and where the major priorities water (and other natural Impacts have been many and those business sectors that have should be in this kind of area. systems on which we depend various with farmers and city- a major reliance on water UKWRIP private sector without often realising the dwellers all suffering shocks as (farming, retailers). A full account members have pointed to a lack importance of that dependence) water has disappeared and then of UKWRIP set out in 2011 can of training opportunities in water have been recognised in the UK reappeared – sometimes in be found at: and very swiftly this has been by the Ecosystems Market Task unexpected places. (http://www.bis.gov.uk/assets/bi Force (EMTF) and the World addressed by the Research This variability is something spartners/goscience/docs/t/11- Business Council for Sustainable Councils opening opportunities we may have to get used to 1390-taking-responsibility-for- Development (WBSCD). In its for post-graduate training in because of where the UK is water). 2050 Vision (see: water and infrastructure. The located in the flow of global air UKWRIP is meeting a range strong private sector http://www.wbcsd.org/vision205 masses and ocean currents. 0.aspx) WBSCD call for of members’ needs as it is the involvement in multi-disciplinary Research supported by Research only UK forum in which all bids to Doctoral Training Centres externalities such as carbon, Councils UK is helping water and ecosystem services interested parties can meet to funded through the Engineering understand this variability. identify issues and organise and Physical Science Research more broadly to be incorporated Recent initiatives cover both actions. There are network Council signals a new approach into market thinking and flooding, drought and intense opportunities; Action Groups to the UK’s water security and practices. The global water rainfall events. (business, infrastructure, food, economic growth is gaining market is worth about $500bn water use, climate and momentum. annually and grows as the UK WATER RESEARCH environment); ways to lower population and its expectations AND INNOVATION barriers on the road from do. PARTNERSHIP (UKWRIP) The EMTF was funded by Despite the importance of . . . dramatic swings from drought Defra and for its specialist water to the UK, the degree to aspects by the Natural which this resource varies in to flood . . . Environment Research Council. availability and recent findings EMTF said (recommendation 5) showing that about 65% of the

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WATER PURITY: Microbial Aspects, Especially Cryptosporidium

Despite the fact that the long-term adverse health effects Cryptosporidium outbreaks most common and widespread may also arise following linked to drinking water before health risk associated with Cryptosporidium infections, such the regulatory change (34% of drinking water globally is as irritable bowel syndrome. For 62 outbreaks) was substantially microbial contamination, water some severely immunocompro- greater than after (4% of 132 purity is an expectation in the mised patients, infection can outbreaks) (Figure). There is UK: we do not expect our have devastating results, also evidence of beneficial drinking water to transfer including chronic diarrhoea and impact in a reduction of infections and make us ill. infection of the hepto-biliary tree sporadic cases of Professor Rachel Chalmers However, there are occasions leading to liver failure. There is cryptosporidiosis in the spring, Head, Cryptosporidium and settings where infections no proven specific therapy for when combinations of rainfall Reference Unit, Public may occur; water of poor quality cryptosporidiosis in these patients. events and seasonal Health Wales Microbiology can cause outbreaks, and occurrences in animal Contracted mainly by person- contributes to background rates husbandry (eg calving, lambing) to-person or farm animal of disease, whether this is contributed to contamination of contact, Cryptosporidium can through water used for drinking, water supplies with human- also be spread through food or domestic purposes, food infectious strains. It is notable water. Ingestion of even single production or recreation. from the Figure that while numbers of oocysts has a high drinking waterborne outbreaks Cryptosporidium is a probability of causing illness. have declined, outbreaks linked microbial contaminant, a Historically, more drinking to recreational waters have protozoan, which has caused waterborne outbreaks in the UK increased; swimming pools are drinking and recreational were caused by Cryptosporidium now the most common settings waterborne outbreaks of than any other pathogen. One associated with Cryptosporidium gastrointestinal illness reason for this is because it is outbreaks. Here, secondary (cryptosporidiosis) in the UK resistant to chlorine which disinfection (UV, ozone, for and elsewhere. This protozoan controls most other pathogens. example) as well as both has a complex life cycle and However, following the swimming pool user and infection can cause introduction of regulatory operator awareness of cryptosporidiosis in animals continuous monitoring for Cryptosporidium are proven (especially young livestock) as Cryptosporidium at high-risk interventions that need to be well as humans, resulting in water treatment works in promulgated in the UK. Notably, large numbers of the “oocyst” England and Wales in 1999 the there are no specific regulations stage being shed in their faeces. occurrence of drinking governing swimming pools in Although usually self-limiting, waterborne outbreaks of the UK. symptoms can be prolonged cryptosporidiosis decreased: (often 2 weeks, sometimes structured surveillance To return to drinking water, longer) and unpleasant. There is conducted since 1992 shows where contamination and a growing body of evidence that that the proportion of outbreaks can have far-reaching

Figure: Proportion of reported Cryptosporidium outbreaks by setting or vehicle (Public Health England and Public Health Wales data)

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effects, affecting large numbers emphasis on preventing or management arises as many Development Goals sanitation of people and industries that reducing the entry of pathogens aspects are often outside the target, which requires reducing use mains water (food and into water sources and reducing direct responsibility of the water the proportion of people without health care to name but two). reliance on treatment processes supplier, for example where access from 51 per cent to 25 Those 1999 regulations, which for their removal is the preferred catchments and source waters per cent by 2015.

relied heavily on end-point strategy. As a faecally-derived are beyond the drinking-water Bibliography: testing, have since been contaminant, Cryptosporidium supplier’s jurisdiction. Thus, it is Davies AP and Chalmers RM. Clinical replaced with broader drinking can arise from farmed or wild essential that a collaborative Review: Cryptosporidiosis. British Medical water quality regulations that in animals through direct multiagency approach be Journal 2009; 339: 963-967. 2007 introduced new provisions contamination of source waters adopted to ensure that agencies Statutory Instrument 1999 No 1524. for risk assessment and risk with dung, indirect through slurry with responsibility for specific Water Industry, England and Wales. The Water Supply (Water Quality) mangement, based on WHO and run-off, or from people via areas within the water cycle are (Amendment) Regulations 1999. water safety plan methodology sewage. With this in mind, it is involved in the management of outlined in the WHO water critical for Cryptosporidium water quality. Communication Lake IR, Nichols GL, Bentham G, Harrison FCD, Hunter PR, Kovats RS. quality guidelines. A control that multiple barriers are has been identified by the Chief Cryptosporidiosis Decline after Regulation, fundamental ethos of the WHO in place to secure the safety of Inspector of Drinking Water as England and Wales, 1989–2005. guidelines is that water quality drinking water supplies. These one area for improvement. Emerging Infectious Disease should promote public health. 2007;13(4):623–625. include protection of water Improved control of drinking This is translated in practical The Water Supply (Water Quality) sources, proper selection and waterborne cryptosporidiosis can fashion by the adoption of water Regulations 2000 (Amendment) operation of a series of be, and continues to be, safety plans, providing a risk- Regulations 2007 treatment steps, mainly effective achieved within the current based approach supported by WHO Guidelines for drinking-water quality filtration supplemented by UV regulatory framework. evidence-based awareness of - 4th ed. Geneva 2011 disinfection where necessary, Nevertheless, there may still be potential vulnerability of the Chalmers RM, Robinson G, Elwin K, Xiao and management of distribution a background risk in some source water and supply to L, Ryan U, Modha D, Mallaghan C. systems to maintain and protect mains supplies requiring a high Detection and characterisation of the contamination, underpinned by treated water quality. Where one level of vigilance throughout the Cryptosporidium rabbit genotype, a newly effective preventative identified human pathogen. Emerg Infect or more of these barriers are system. Furthermore, many management. Water safety plans Dis 2009a; 15: 829-830 absent or fail, outbreaks of private water supplies are poor comprise: Chalmers RM, Robinson G, Elwin K, cryptosporidiosis may, and quality, and recent estimates of Hadfield SJ, Thomas E, Watkins J, • a system assessment to indeed have, occurred. Current risk of Cryptosporidium infection, Casemore D, Kay D. Detection of determine whether the drinking- testing identifies the oocysts, and likelihood of diarrhoea, from Cryptosporidium species and sources of water supply (from source only as “genus Cryptosporidium” very small supplies are contamination with Cryptosporidium hominis during a waterborne outbreak in through treatment to the point regardless of whether they are unacceptably high especially north west Wales. J Water Health 2010; of consumption) as a whole can alive or dead, or of a species among children. There are 8(2): 311-325 deliver water of a quality that that infects and causes illness in health benefits to be gained http://dwi.defra.gov.uk/about/annual- meets the health-based targets; humans or not. Yet additional from improving the quality of report/2011/index.htm tests for the resolution of such supplies, a goal • operational monitoring of the Hunter PR, de Sylor MA, Risebro HL, species, which improve the risk control measures in the drinking- underpinning regulations Nichols GL, Kay D, Hartemann P. assessment by including water supply that are of introduced in England and Quantitative microbial risk assessment of particular importance in securing infectivity potential for humans, Wales in 2010. cryptosporidiosis and giardiasis from very have been shown to be of small private water supplies. Risk Analysis. drinking-water safety; Globally, the impact of 2011 Feb;31(2):228-36. added-value. This is a specialist Cryptosporidium has been • management plans molecular test provided by Risebro HL, Breton L, Aird H, Hooper A, brought into sharper focus Hunter PR. Contaminated small drinking documenting the system reference laboratories. More assessment and monitoring recently. The Global Enteric water supplies and risk of infectious aspirational is current research intestinal disease: a prospective cohort Multicenter Study (GEMS) has plans and describing actions to as part of the AQUAVALENS study. PLoS One. 2012;7(8):e42762 identified that in children under be taken in normal operation project, led by the University of 5 years in sub-Saharan Africa The Private Water Supply Regulations and incident conditions, East Anglia and funded by EU 2010 including upgrade and and south Asia, most attributable Framework 7 Kotloff KL, Nataro JP, Blackwelder WC, et improvement, documentation cases of moderate-to-severe (www.aquavalens.org), al, Burden and aetiology of diarrhoeal diarrhoea were due to just four and communication. investigating the further disease in infants and young children in pathogens including developing countries (the Global Enteric The plans are supported by a development of assays based on Cryptosporidium. Interventions Multicenter Study, GEMS): a prospective, system of independent whole genome sequencing data, targeting these pathogens could case-control study. Lancet. 2013 May 13. surveillance that verifies that the to improve the accuracy of doi:pii: S0140-6736(13)60844-2 substantially reduce the burden above are operating properly. testing for waterborne pathogens. of moderate-to-severe diarrhoea. http://www.who.int/water_sanitation_heal th/publications/2013/jmp_report/en/inde A management approach One area of particular However, the world remains off- x.html that places the primary difficulty in source water quality track to meet the Millennium

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HOUSE OF COMMONS SELECT COMMITTEE ON SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

The Science and Technology CURRENT INQUIRIES The written and oral evidence received is on Committee is established under Standing Order No 152, and the Committee’s website. A Report is being Forensic Science Services (FSS) follow-up charged with the scrutiny of the prepared. expenditure, administration and policy of the Government Office for On 22 November 2012, the Committee Water Quality Science, a semi-autonomous announced an inquiry: FSS Follow-up. The organisation based within the Department for Business, Committee invited written submissions by 10 On 19 December 2012, the Committee Innovation and Skills. January 2013. announced an inquiry: Water Quality. The The current members of the Committee invited written submissions by 8 Science and Technology Committee On Wednesday 30 January 2013 the are: February 2013. Committee took evidence from Alison Fendley, Jim Dowd (Labour, Lewisham West Executive Director, Forensic Archive Ltd, Dr Gill On Wednesday 27 February the Committee and Penge), Stephen Metcalfe (Conservative, South Basildon and Tully, Consultant, Principal Forensic Services Ltd, took evidence from Richard Aylard, Thames East Thurrock), Andrew Miller Water, Marco Lattughi, Environmental Industries (Labour, Ellesmere Port and and Helen Kenny, Former Branch Secretary for the Neston), David Morris FSS, Prospect Trade Union. Commission, and Mike Murray, Association of the (Conservative, Morecambe and Lunesdale), Stephen Mosley British Pharmaceutical Industry; and then from On Wednesday 6 February 2013 the (Conservative, City of Chester), Professor Andrew Johnson, Centre for Ecology Pamela Nash (Labour, Airdrie and Committee took evidence from Professor Martin Shotts), Sarah Newton and Hydrology, Rob Collins, Blueprint for Water (Conservative, Truro and Falmouth), Evison, Director, Northumbria University Centre for Graham Stringer (Labour, Blackley Coalition, and NERC; and then from Dr Sue Forensic Science (NUCFS), Dr John Manlove, and Broughton), David Tredinnick Kinsey, Marine Conservation Society, and (Bosworth), Hywel Williams (Plaid Manlove Forensics Ltd, and David Richardson, Cymru, Arfon) and Roger Williams Professor Richard Thompson, Plymouth University. (Liberal Democrat, Brecon and Chief Executive, LGC Forensics; and then from Radnorshire). Chief Constable Chris Sims, Association of Chief On Monday 4 March 2013 the Committee Andrew Miller was elected by the Police Officers (ACPO), Gary Pugh, Director of took evidence from Ian Barker, Head of Water, House of Commons to be the Chair of the Committee on 9 June 2010. Forensic Services, Metropolitan Police Service and, Land and Biodiversity, Environment Agency, Nick Kevin Morton, Director of Scientific Support Cartwright, Environment and Business Manager, Services, Yorkshire and the Humber. Environment Agency and Regina Finn, Chief Executive, Ofwat. On Wednesday 13 February 2013 the Committee took evidence from Karen Squibb- On Wednesday 6 March 2013 the Committee Williams MA, Strategic Policy Adviser, Crown took evidence from Peter Gammeltoft, European Prosecution Service, Michael Turner QC, Chairman, Commission. Criminal Bar Association, and Richard Atkinson, On Wednesday 13 March 2013 the Chair of Criminal Law Committee, Law Society. Committee took evidence from Richard Benyon

On Wednesday 6 March 2013 the Committee MP, Parliamentary Under-Secretary for Natural took evidence from Professor Bernard Silverman, Environment, Water and Rural Affairs, Chief Scientific Adviser, Home Office and Andrew Department for Environment, Food and Rural Rennison, Forensic Science Regulator. Affairs, Rory Wallace, Head of the Water Framework Directive Team and Dr Caroline On Wednesday 13 March the Committee took Whalley, Priority Substances Policy/Technical evidence from Jeremy Browne MP, Minister of Advisor. State for Crime Prevention, Home Office and Stephen Webb, Former Director, Finance and The written and oral evidence received in this Strategy Directorate, Crime and Policing Group, inquiry is on the Committee’s website. A Report Home Office. was published on 13 June.

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Clinical Trials Climate: public understanding and its policy implications On 13 December 2012 the Committee announced an inquiry: On 28 February 2013 the Committee announced an inquiry: Clinical Trials. The Committee invited written submissions by 22 Climate: public understanding and its policy implications. The February 2013. Committee invited written submissions by 22 April 2013. The Committee expects to hold oral evidence sessions in 2013. On Wednesday 13 March the Committee took evidence from Professor Sir Michael Rawlins, Chair of the Academy of Medical REPORT Sciences Regulation and Governance Review, Dr Keith Bragman, Water quality President, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Medicine, and Dr Fiona Godlee, Editor in Chief, British Medical Journal. On 13 June 2013 the Committee published its First Report of Session 2013-14, Water quality: priority substances, HC 272 On Monday 22 April the Committee took evidence from Catherine Elliott, Director, Clinical Research Interests, Medical GOVERNMENT RESPONSE Research Council, Sharmila Nebhrajani, Chief Executive, Association Government Response to the Committee’s report ‘Educating of Medical Research Charities, Professor Peter Johnson, Chief tomorrow’s engineers: the impact of Government reforms on Clinician, Cancer Research UK and Representative from the 14-19 education: Government Response to the Committee's Wellcome Trust; and then from Dr Bina Rawal, Director of Research, Seventh Report of Session 2012-13’ Medical and Innovation, Association of the British Pharmaceutical Industry, Dr James Shannon, Chief Medical Officer, GlaxoSmithKline On 15 May 2013 the Committee published the Government and Mr William M. Burns, Member of the Board of Directors, Roche. Response to the Committee’s report on Educating tomorrow's engineers. On Wednesday 15 May the Committee took evidence from Professor Karol Sikora, Medical Director of Cancer Partners UK and FURTHER INFORMATION

Dean, University of Buckingham Medical School and Simon Further information about the work of the Science and Denegri, NIHR National Director for Public Participation and Technology Committee or its current inquiries can be obtained from Engagement in Research and Chair, INVOLVE; Tracey Brown, the Clerk of the Committee, Stephen McGinness, or from the Senior Managing Director, Sense About Science and Dr Helen Jamison, Committee Assistant, Darren Hackett, on 020 7219 2792/2793 Deputy Director, Science Media Centre; and Sir Kent Woods, Chief respectively; or by writing to: The Clerk of the Committee, Science Executive, Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency; and Technology Committee, House of Commons, 7 Millbank, Dr Janet Wisely, Chief Executive, Health Research Authority; Bill London SW1P 3JA. Enquiries can also be e-mailed to scitechcom@ Davidson, Acting Deputy Director and Head of Research Standards parliament.uk. Anyone wishing to be included on the Committee’s and Support, Department of Health and Peter Knight, Deputy mailing list should contact the staff of the Committee. Anyone Director, Head of Research Information and Intelligence, wishing to submit evidence to the Committee is strongly Department of Health. recommended to obtain a copy of the guidance note first. Guidance On Monday 3 June the Committee took evidence from Rt Hon on the submission of evidence can be found at www.parliament.uk/ David Willetts MP, Minister of State for Universities and Science, commons/selcom/witguide.htm. The Committee has a website, Department for Business, Innovation and Skills, and the Rt Hon the www.parliament.uk/science, where all recent publications, terms of Earl Howe, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Quality, reference for all inquiries and press notices are available. Department of Health.

The written and oral evidence received is on the Committee’s website. A Report is being prepared.

The European and UK Space Agencies On 15 February 2013, the Committee announced an inquiry: The European and UK Space Agencies. The Committee invited written submissions by 12 April 2013. The Committee expects to hold oral evidence sessions in 2013.

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HOUSE OF LORDS SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY SELECT COMMITTEE

The members of the Committee Scientific infrastructure Committee’s website. The Committee expects to (appointed 16 May 2013) are Lord Dixon-Smith, Baroness Hilton of The Committee has launched an inquiry into report on 1 July 2013. Eggardon, Lord O’Neill of Clackmannan, Lord Krebs (Chairman), scientific infrastructure. The call for evidence Higher Education in Science, Technology, Baroness Manningham-Buller, Lord closed on Friday 21 June 2013. The inquiry will Patel, Lord Peston, Baroness Perry of Engineering and Maths (STEM) subjects Southwark, Lord Rees of Ludlow, the collect evidence on the large and medium-sized Earl of Selborne, Baroness Sharp of The Committee’s report was debated on the scientific infrastructure currently available in the Guildford, Lord Wade of Chorlton, floor of the House on 21 March Lord Willis of Knaresborough and UK. It will consider: future needs and strategic Lord Winston. (http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/ld201 planning, funding and governance arrangements, 213/ldhansrd/text/130321-0003.htm). international partnerships and partnerships with industry. Oral evidence will be taken up to the Sports and exercise science and medicine summer recess and the Committee hopes to In May 2012, the Select Committee launched publish its report in the Autumn. a short inquiry into sports and exercise science and medicine. It wished to consider how the Open access legacy of London 2012 could be used to improve The Committee undertook an inquiry into the understanding of the benefits exercise can implementation of the Government’s open provide, and in treating chronic conditions. The access policy. It issued a targeted call for Committee explored how robust this science is evidence to key stakeholders for this short and how lessons learnt from the study of athletes inquiry. The Committee took oral evidence in can be applied to improve the health of the January 2013 and published its findings in population generally. The Committee held a February 2013 (http://www.publications. seminar on 29 May 2012, and took oral evidence parliament.uk/pa/ld201213/ldselect/ldsctech/1 during June from sports and exercise scientists 22/12202.htm) and clinicians, UK Sport, and officials and The report was debated on 28 February Ministers from the Department of Health and the (http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/ld201 Department for Culture, Media and Sport. The 213/ldhansrd/text/130228-0002.htm). Committee published its report on 17 July 2012. The Government response was received in It followed this up with a letter to RCUK October 2012. The report will be debated in the expressing concern about its revised open House. access policy in March (http://www.parliament.uk/business/committees FURTHER INFORMATION /committees-a-z/lords-select/science-and- The written and oral evidence to the technology-committee/news/open-access- Committee’s inquiries mentioned above, as well response-to-rcuk/). as the Calls for Evidence and other documents Regenerative medicine can be found on the Committee’s website. The Committee launched an inquiry into Further information about the work of the regenerative medicine before the summer Committee can be obtained from Chris Clarke, recess. A group from the Committee visited the Committee Clerk, [email protected] or 020 California Institute for Regenerative Medicine. 7219 4963. The Committee Office email address Oral evidence was taken from October 2012 to is [email protected] . March 2013. Transcripts of these sessions and written submissions made are available on the

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HOUSE OF COMMONS LIBRARY SCIENCE AND ENVIRONMENT SECTION

Scientists and other staff in the RECENT PUBLICATIONS Bees and Neonicotinoids Science and Environment Section provide confidential, bespoke SN/SC/6656 briefing to Members and their Badger Culling Based on the findings of a May 2012 offices on a daily basis. They also SN/SC/5873 provide support to Commons European Food Safety Authority assessment (a Select Committees, and produce The previous Government decided in 2008 longer notes and research papers literature review), the European Commission will which can be accessed on line at not to introduce a badger cull as part of bovine soon be bringing forward the detail of a proposal http://www.parliament.uk/topics/to TB control measures in the light of findings of the pical-issues.htm to suspend the use of three common UK Randomised Badger Culling Trial. This neonicotinoids (Imidacloprid, Thiamethoxam and Opposite are summaries of some concluded that a reactive cull of badgers resulted recently updated published Clothianidin) for two years from December 2013. briefings. in significant increases in bovine TB and a This follows the Commission's successful appeal proactive cull, while controlling TB in the cull area, For further information contact: after its plans failed to achieve the required Dr Patsy Richards contributed to an increase in TB in surrounding Head of Section qualified majority in the Standing Committee on Tel: 020 7219 1665 areas, and would not be cost effective. Not all the Food Chain and Health (SCoFCH). email: [email protected] agreed. Sir David King, the chief Scientific Adviser at the time, reviewed the findings and concluded The UK abstained in the initial vote in the that a proactive cull would be cost effective. Standing Committee and then voted against the measure in the appeals Committee. The UK After the election the Government indicated Government does not believe that field trial that a badger cull would be introduced as part of evidence supports the Commission's ban or that TB control measures. It announced a consultation there has been sufficient analysis of the impacts in September 2010, which set out its proposals. of the alternatives that will be used. However, These include introducing proactive culls over Defra’s field trials, run by the UK Food and 150km2 areas where farmers would be licensed Environment Research Agency (FERA), have been to control badgers by shooting. Farmers would publicly criticised by the European Food Safety bear the costs of culls. The Government would Authority (EFSA) as containing “several bear the costs of licensing and monitoring. The weaknesses”, “deficiencies” and “contradictory consultation also included proposals on TB statements”. The Authority has therefore monitoring in cattle and further biosecurity concluded that the study does not affect its measures. In December 2011 the Government January 2013 conclusions. announced that it intended to go forward with a badger cull trial. The trial will be carried out in two Environmental groups such as Buglife and pilot areas. Results from the trial will be Friends of the Earth have welcomed the ban but considered before culling is rolled-out more cautioned that a two-year suspension is not widely. The two trial areas, in West sufficient for bee colonies to recover and that Gloucestershire and West Somerset, were other impacts on bees need to be considered as announced in January 2012. Licences were part of a national plan. The British Bee Keepers granted by Natural England for the two areas in Association is particularly concerned about the autumn 2012. Following concerns from the NFU impacts of the replacement insecticides and on the late start of the cull and the potentially farming methods which will be used. The increased costs to farmers, a cull was postponed Humboldt Forum for Food and Agriculture until 2013. The announcement was made in recently estimated that the overall cost of a ban February that the cull would go ahead from 1st could be as high as €4.5 billion and, over a five- June 2013, following a new estimate of badger year period, put 1 million arable production jobs numbers in the two areas being published. at risk across the EU.

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A range of DIY retailers have already removed products Carbon capture and storage containing the three neonicotinoids and Waitrose has removed SN/SC/5086 neonicotinoid products from its supply chain. Carbon capture and storage (CCS) is a potential way of Nuclear power ‘decarbonising’ electricity generation, through capturing and storing SN/SC/6228 the carbon dioxide (CO2) produced. As a form of ‘low-carbon’ generation under the current Energy Bill, CCS would allow the The July 2011 white paper on electricity market reform, now continued burning of fossil fuels. However, the ‘emissions being implemented through the Energy Bill, outlines government performance standard’ introduced by the Bill also allows unabated policy towards nuclear power. This acknowledges: “The reforms set gas to 2045; some feel this is not set low enough to incentivise out in this White Paper will drive increased levels of intermittent CCS. renewable generation, and higher levels of inflexible generation, such as nuclear.” There is therefore broad continuity in nuclear CCS generation is not yet proven on a large scale, and nor is policy by recent UK governments. In March 2013 planning consent storage long-term, despite a series of UK Government and EU was granted for a new nuclear power station at Hinkley Point, initiatives aimed at incentivising its development. In March 2013 Somerset – the first project to be granted a nuclear site licence for Peterhead (Aberdeenshire) and the White Rose Project (Yorkshire) 25 years. were named as the two preferred bidders in the latest UK CCS Commercialisation Programme Competition. Safety considerations will always be much to the fore, prompted by memories of Chernobyl and Fukushima. A report by the Chief Food Banks and Food Poverty Nuclear Inspector, Dr Mike Weightman, provided some reassurance SN/SC/6657 on the safety of existing and future nuclear stations, while Food banks (or “foodbanks”) provide free food to people in counselling against complacency. However, disposal of radioactive acute need, including some who have been referred by health and waste remains an issue, and work is still under way to identify a social care professionals. In the UK, food banks are run by a range suitable site for long-term geological storage of waste. of volunteer-based organisations redistributing food donated by Nuclear power currently contributes 19% of the UK’s electricity consumers, retailers and the food industry. The largest network of supply and recent studies of its economics appear favourable – at food banks is organised by The Trussell Trust which has over 345 least when future carbon costs are factored in, which are low for banks UK-wide. Food bank use has been increasing steadily since nuclear power and some renewables and comparatively high for 2005, with figures from The Trussell Trust showing that their bank fossil fuels. Nuclear decommissioning costs can appear relatively use has increased from 128,000 users in 2011/12 to almost small, at least when substantial discounting of future costs is 350,000 in 2012-13. included in the economics. Nevertheless, negotiations between the A variety of factors are likely to have contributed to this growth. Government and EDF over the price to be paid for electricity Global food prices hit an all-time high in early January 2011 and generated by Hinkley C have not yet been concluded. have remained relatively high since that time, making food in the It is highly likely that nuclear power will continue to make an UK proportionately less affordable for low-income households. important contribution to the UK’s electricity needs. It will do so Combined with this, the recession has seen unemployment within a “mixed economy” of gas, coal and renewables like wind increase significantly and earnings grew at less than the rate of farms. inflation last year. The number of people claiming benefits has increased, but the eligibility rules have been tightened and the level Energy Bill 2013 - update for Report stage and number of emergency Crisis Loans reduced. Many SN/SC/6653 commentators have speculated that these benefit reforms are The Energy Bill 2012-13 to 2013-14 is a ‘carry-over’ Bill, which having the biggest impact on the growth of food banks, but the means it has been continued from the previous Parliamentary Government has refuted any link. session in the Commons. This short note provided an update to some of its more controversial areas for the Bill’s Report and Third ACTIVITIES Reading stage in the Commons on 3 and 4 June 2013. It updated The Science Section is currently undertaking a co-location pilot Library research briefings following Committee Stage and for with both the House of Commons Energy & Climate Change Select Second Reading, as well as on the draft Bill. The issues covered Committee and the Science & Technology Select Committee. The include a decarbonisation target, energy tariffs, biomass, new specialists on each of the three teams have been able to share nuclear, demand reduction and community energy schemes. knowledge, expertise and briefings, benefiting the Members whom these teams advise and brief, and the outputs of the teams.

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Two library clerks met the French President's Special Envoy on First POST fellow in the Library the Protection of the Planet, Mr Nicolas Hulot, to discuss issues UCL Energy Institute PhD student Mike Fell has been based in surrounding international environmental negotiations. the Science and Environment Section since March this year. Funded The section organised a tour of the Natural History Museum for through the POST/EPSRC fellowship programme, he has been the Parliament’s scientists and engineers group, which included working on answering Members’ enquiries and writing/updating meeting the head of zoological collections, discussing the research Standard Notes. conducted on the collection, and meeting scientists and “This has been a great opportunity for me to get some insight archaeologists working in the Department of Palaeontology. into the day-to-day workings of Parliament. In this section I am Members of the section conduct outreach activities, such as constantly seeing examples of how science and environment issues speaking to NHS consultants, and to the public, in a Parliamentary impact on the lives of people and the Members who represent Outreach event on how to interact with Parliament, in a Public Bill them. I’ve enjoyed providing briefings which will help resolve real Workshop held in Central Hall, Westminster. problems and inform evidence-based policy.”

PARLIAMENTARY OFFICE OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY (POST)

RECENT POST PUBLICATIONS Monitoring Internet Communications June 2013 POSTnote 436 Livestock Vaccines Internet communications are often monitored to investigate May 2013 POSTnote 433 criminal activity. Recent attempts to update UK regulation of UK agriculture is constantly faced with the threats and economic investigatory powers have generated controversy. This POSTnote consequences of various diseases of livestock. Vaccination of explains the use of different internet monitoring methods and livestock is one approach to disease prevention and control. This discusses the impact of evolving technologies. POSTnote examines the use of vaccines and outlines the pros and cons of using vaccination in livestock. Selection of Marine Conservation Zones June 2013 POSTnote 437 Managing Online Identity Marine Conservation Zones may contribute to the protection and May 2013 POSTnote 434 recovery of the marine environment. This POSTnote examines the The Government plans to digitise more public services by 2015 process and approach used to select and designate zones, and to improve efficiency and reduce costs. As more daily activities, difficulties in identifying and managing suitable areas. services and transactions are conducted online, increasing amounts of personal data are used on the internet. This POSTnote describes Uncertainty in Population Projections online identity, government projects to secure online access to June 2013 POSTnote 438 public services and the issues arising from a more online society. Population projections inform policy formulation across a wide Environmental Impact of Tidal Energy Barrages range of areas. While short-term projections are generally reliable, longer-term figures are subject to ever greater uncertainties. This June 2013 POSTnote 435 POSTnote examines the sources of these uncertainties and explores A tidal energy barrage across the Severn Estuary could produce projection methods which aim to take them into account. up to 5% of the UK’s electricity demand. It would help meet renewable energy targets but would have significant environmental CURRENT WORK impacts. This POSTnote summarises evidence on environmental Biological Sciences – HIV Prevention in the UK, Minimum Age impacts associated with the operation of tidal energy barrages and of Criminal Responsibility, Epigenetics and Health, Khat, the effectiveness of compensatory measures. Greenhouse Gas Emissions from livestock, Cosmetic Procedures, Organ Transplants and Regulation of Pre-Implantation Genetic Diagnosis.

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Environment and Energy – Invasive Non-native Plant Species, Presentations were made by: Professor Barry Carpenter, University Intermittent Electricity Generation, Demand Side Response, Urban of Oxford, Dr Rhona Tutt, SEN Consultant and Sharon Godden. Green Infrastructure, Insect Pollinator Declines, Antimicrobial Science of Bovine Tuberculosis Disease Control Resistance in the Environment and Negative Emissions On 20th May, POST organised a private briefing session to give Technologies. parliamentarians the opportunity to debate bovine TB control with Physical sciences and IT – Autonomous Road Vehicles, Big Data, relevant experts prior to the proposed cull. The event was chaired Computer Science Education. by Lord Oxburgh. Brief presentations were made by Professor Ian CONFERENCES AND SEMINARS Boyd, the Defra Chief Scientific Adviser, Mr Nigel Gibbens, the Defra Chief Veterinary Officer and two independent scientists, Professor Integrated Approaches to Managing Floods and Droughts in a Christl Donnelly, Imperial College and Professor Rosie Woodroffe, Changing Climate Zoological Society London, prior to an extended Q&A session. On 24th April, POST organised a parliamentary seminar to Professor Donnelly and Professor Woodroffe were members of the discuss the opportunities and challenges for more integrated Independent Scientific Group on Cattle TB. approaches to managing floods and water resources given The Science of Health and Wellbeing changing flood and drought risks. The event was chaired by Lord On 4th June, POST organised a parliamentary exhibition in Whitty. Presentations were made by: Professor Ed Maltby, Emeritus collaboration with seven of the leading public sector bodies that Professor of Wetland Science, Water and Ecosystem Management, fund research on health and wellbeing in the UK. All research University of Liverpool, Richard Benyon MP, Defra Parliamentary disciplines – from physics to philosophy – are relevant to health Under-Secretary for Natural Environment and Fisheries, Professor and wellbeing and experts were on hand to discuss their latest Jim Hall, Director of the Environmental Change Institute, University research and their exhibits with parliamentarians. The event was of Oxford and Member of the Adaptation Sub-Committee of the UK chaired by Adam Afriyie MP. Presentations were made by: Professor independent Committee on Climate Change, Professor Alan Rick Rylance, Chief Executive, Arts and Humanities Research Council Jenkins, Deputy Director of the Centre for Ecology & Hydrology and and Chair of Research Councils UK and Professor David Walker, Science and Director for the Water Research Programme and Ian Deputy Chief Medical Officer, Department of Health. Barker, Head of Land and Water at the Environment Agency.

Future Environmental Applications and Implications of STAFF, FELLOWS AND INTERNS AT POST Synthetic Biology Fellows On 30th April, POST hosted a Foresight Action Network spring Brett Edwards, Bath University, Wellcome Trust meeting in conjunction with the Natural Environment Research Dave Parker, University of Bristol, Royal Society of Chemistry Council (NERC) to explore and develop a better understanding of Luke Gibbon, University of Strathclyde, Wellcome Trust where these technologies may be used to the benefit of the Amy Zhang, University of Cambridge, Royal Society of Chemistry environment, and also where there might be negative impacts and Paul Coleman, BBSRC identify where further research is needed to protect the Rory O’Connor, Centre for Ecology and Hydrology, British Ecological environment from identifiable risks. The outputs from the workshop Society will be made available on the NERC website. To inform the group Steve Aston, NERC discussions, presentations were made by: Professor Richard Owen, Eleanor Walton, York University, BBSRC University of Exeter, Professor Bill Adams, University of Cambridge Becky Wilebore, University of Cambridge, NERC and Dr Marco Palomino, University of Exeter. Anne Claire Pawsey, University of Edinburgh, EPSRC Christophe Mazur, Imperial College London, Grantham Institute Special Educational Needs Staff On 14th May, POST organised a parliamentary seminar in Dr Martin Griffiths, POST Physical Sciences and ICT adviser, is conjunction with the All Party Parliamentary Group on Education to leaving POST in August 2013. discuss an overview of how children and young people with special educational needs are defined and identified, where and how their INTERNATIONAL ACTIVITIES needs are being met and the roles of those who are responsible Dr Aaron Goater was invited to the annual meeting of the for their education and training. Research from various disciplines PISCES bioenergy consortium in Mombasa, Kenya, from 10th to has recorded significant shifts in the profile of children’s needs, 14th June. often resulting from new causal bases including premature birth. Presentations also covered the likely outcomes and impacts of the Children and Families Bill on provision for children with special educational needs. The event was chaired by Fabian Hamilton MP.

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SELECTED DEBATES EDUCATION AS-levels and A-levels 16.4.13 HoC 33WH Seema Malhotra Educating Engineers 16.5.13 HoC 26WH Andrew Miller Listed opposite (grouped by Student Visas 6.6.13 HoC 1707 Adrian Bailey subject area) is a selection of Debates on matters of scientific interest which took place in the ENERGY AND CLIMATE CHANGE House of Commons, House of Energy Generation 17.4.13 HoC 102WH Andrew George Lords or Westminster Hall Nuclear Power 22.4.13 HoL GC312 Viscount Hanworth between 7th January and 27th Off-gas Grid Households 16.4.13 HoC 1WH Sarah Newton March. Severn Barrage 22.4.13 HoL GC329 Lord Cope of Berkeley UN Framework Convention on Climate Change 18.4.13 HoC 141WH Tim Yeo

ENVIRONMENT, FOOD AND AGRICULTURE Badger Cull 5.6.13 HoC 1519 Mary Creagh Common Agricultural Policy 18.6.13 HoC 763 David Heath Food Waste 24.4.13 HoC 327WH Mark Pawsey Marine Management Organisation (Data Accuracy) 20.5.13 HoC 1023 Alison Seabeck Marine Conservation Zones 20.5.13 HoC 116WH Damian Collins Pollinators and Pesticides 6.6.13 HoC 1745 Joan Walley

HEALTH Accident and Emergency Waiting Times 5.6.13 HoC 1586 Andy Burnham Drug-resistant Tuberculosis (Developing Countries) 4.6.13 HoC 191WH Jim Fitzpatrick Genetic Medicine 13.6.13 HoC 595 George Freeman Global Fund to Fight AIDS, TB and Malaria 4.6.13 HoL 1127 Lord Fowler Herbal Medicines 24.4.13 HoL GC442 Lord Pearson of Rannoch

MISCELLANEOUS Economy: Culture and the Arts 13.6.13 HoL 1741 Baroness Wheatcroft European Commission's 4th Railway Package 25.4.13 HoC 1035 Simon Burns Girls and ICT Careers 24.4.13 HoC 978 Chi Onwurah Intellectual Property Bill (Second Reading) 22.5.13 HoL 848 Viscount Younger of Leckie Lethal Autonomous Robotics 17.6.13 HoC 729 Nia Griffith Plug-in Vehicles (Select Committee Report) 25.4.13 HoC 375WH Louise Ellman Science and Research 4.6.13 HoC 158WH Dr Julian Huppert

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SCIENCE DIRECTORY THE FOLLOWING ORGANISATIONS HAVE ENTRIES IN THE SCIENCE DIRECTORY:

Association of the British Pharmaceutical Eli Lilly and Company Ltd Marine Biological Association Society of Maritime Industries Industry EngineeringUK Met Office Universities Federation for Animal Welfare AIRTO The Food and Environment Research Agency MSD The Welding Institute AMPS GAMBICA Association Ltd National Physical Laboratory Biochemical Society The Geological Society Natural History Museum Research Councils UK The British Ecological Society Institute of Food Science & Technology NEF: The Innovation Institute Biotechnology and Biological Sciences British In Vitro Diagnostics Association Institute of Marine Engineering, Science and Nesta Research Council (BBSRC) (BIVDA) Technology (IMarEST) PHARMAQ Ltd Economic and Social Research Council British Measurement and Testing Association The Institute of Measurement & Control The Physiological Society (ESRC) (BMTA) Institute of Physics Prospect Engineering and Physical Sciences Research British Nutrition Foundation Institute of Physics and Engineering in The Royal Academy of Engineering Council (EPSRC) British Pharmacological Society Medicine Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew Medical Research Council (MRC0 British Psychological Society Institution of Chemical Engineers The Royal Institution Natural Environment Research Council British Science Association Institution of Civil Engineers The Royal Society (NERC) British Society for Antimicrobial Chemotherapy Institution of Engineering Designers The Royal Society of Chemistry Science and Technology Facilities Council British Society for Immunology The Institution of Engineering and Technology Society for Applied Microbiology (STFC) Cavendish Laboratory Institution of Mechanical Engineers Society for General Microbiology Chartered Institute of Patent Attorneys LGC Society of Biology Clifton Scientific Trust The Linnean Society Society of Chemical Industry The Council for the Mathematical Sciences L'Oréal Society of Cosmetic Scientists

Association AIRTO AMPS of the British Contact: Professor Richard Brook OBE FREng Contact: Pharmaceutical AIRTO Ltd: Association of Independent Tony Harding Industry Research & Technology Organisations Limited 07895 162 896 for all queries whether for c/o The National Physical Laboratory membership or assistance. Contact: Dr Louise Leong Hampton Road Branch Office Address: Head of Research & Development Teddington Merchant Quay, 7th Floor, Southside, 105 Victoria Street, Middlesex TW11 0LW Salford Quays, London SW1E 6QT Tel: 020 8943 6600 Salford Tel: 020 7747 7193 E-mail: [email protected] M50 3SG. Fax: 020 7747 1447 Website: www.airto.co.uk E-mail: [email protected] Website: www.amps-tradeunion.com Website: www.abpi.org.uk AIRTO – The Association for Independent Research and Technology Organisations – is the foremost We are a Trades Union for Management and membership body for organisations operating in the The ABPI is the voice of the innovative pharmaceutical Professional Staff working in the pharmaceutical, industry, working with Government, regulators and other UK’s intermediate research and technology sector. chemical and allied industries. stakeholders to promote a receptive environment for a AIRTO’s members deliver vital innovation and strong and progressive industry in the UK, one capable of knowledge transfer services which include applied and We also have a section for Professional Divers working providing the best medicines to patients. collaborative R&D, frequently in conjunction with globally. We represent a broad base of both office and The ABPI’s mission is to represent the pharmaceutical universities, consultancy, technology validation and field based staff and use our influence to improve industry operating in the UK in a way that: testing, incubation of commercialisation opportunities working conditions on behalf of our members. • assures patient access to the best available medicine; and early stage financing. AIRTO members have a We are experts in performance based and field related • creates a favourable political and economic environment; combined turnover of over £2Bn from clients both at issues and are affiliated to our counterparts in EU • encourages innovative research and development; home and outside the UK, and employ over 20,000 Professional Management Unions. • affords fair commercial returns scientists, technologists and engineers.

The British British Ecological In Vitro Contact: Kate Baillie, CEO Society Diagnostics Association Biochemical Society Charles Darwin House The British Ecological Society (BIVDA) 12 Roger Street Contact: Martin Smith, Policy Manager Contact: Doris-Ann Williams MBE London WC1N 2JU British Ecological Society British In Vitro Diagnostics Association Tel: 020 7685 2433 Charles Darwin House, 12 Roger Street, (BIVDA), 1 Queen Anne’s Gate, Email: [email protected] London, WC1N 2JU London SW1H 9BT Website: www.biochemistry.org Email: [email protected] Tel: 020 7685 2500 Fax : 020 7685 2501 Tel: 020 7957 4633 The Biochemical Society exists to promote and Website: www.BritishEcologicalSociety.org Fax: 020 7957 4644 support the Molecular and Cellular Biosciences. We Ecology into Policy Blog E-mail: [email protected] have over 6000 members in the UK and abroad, http://britishecologicalsociety.org/blog/ Website: www.bivda.co.uk mostly research bioscientists in universities or in Twitter: @BESPolicy industry. The Society is also a major scientific BIVDA is the UK industry association representing publisher. In addition, we promote science policy The British Ecological Society’s mission is to advance companies who manufacture and/or distribute the ecology and make it count. The Society has 4,000 debate and provide resources, for teachers and members worldwide. The BES publishes five diagnostics tests and equipment to diagnose, pupils, to support the bioscience curriculum in internationally renowned scientific journals and monitor and manage disease largely through the schools. Our membership supports our mission by organises the largest scientific meeting for ecologists in NHS pathology services. Increasingly diagnostics are organizing scientific meetings, sustaining our Europe. Through its grants, the BES also supports used outside the laboratory in community settings publications through authorship and peer review ecologists in developing countries and the provision of and also to identify those patients who would fieldwork in schools. The BES informs and advises and by supporting our educational and policy Parliament and Government on ecological issues and benefit from specific drug treatment particularly for initiatives. welcomes requests for assistance from parliamentarians. cancer.

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British British Measurement Nutrition & Testing Association (BMTA) Foundation Contact: Professor Judy Buttriss, Contact: Jonathan Brüün Contact: Peter Russell Director General Chief Executive Company Secretary British Pharmacological Society BMTA Imperial House 6th Floor 15-19 Kingsway The Schild Plot, 16 Angel Gate, East Malling Enterprise Centre City Road, London EC1V 2PT New Road London WC2B 6UN East Malling ME19 6BJ Tel: +44(0) 20 7557 7930 Tel: : 020 7239 0171 Tel: 01732 897452 Email: [email protected] Fax: 020 7417 0114 Fax: 01732 897453 Email: [email protected] E-mail: [email protected] Websites: www.nutrition.org.uk Website: www.bps.ac.uk Website: www.bmta.co.uk www.foodafactoflife.org.uk The British Pharmacological Society is the primary BMTA is the trade and technology association for The British Nutrition Foundation (BNF) was UK learned society concerned with research into laboratory-based organisations and testing and drugs and the way they work. Our 3000+ members established over 40 years ago and exists to deliver calibration service providers. We have over 100 work in academia, industry, regulatory agencies and member companies representing the interests of authoritative, evidence-based information on food the health services, and many are medically over 450 UKAS accredited laboratories. BMTA qualified. We cover the whole spectrum of provides its members with a wide range of liaison, and nutrition in the context of health and lifestyle. pharmacology, including laboratory, clinical, and lobbying, technical event and information services. The Foundation’s work is conducted and toxicological aspects. Inquiries about the discovery, BMTA is also very active in training initiatives and development and application of drugs are provides its members with access to European communicated through a unique blend of welcome. issues through our membership of EUROLAB. nutrition science, education and media activities.

British Science The Association British Contact: Sir Roland Jackson Bt, Psychological Chief Executive Contact: Judith Willetts, CEO British Science Association, Vintage House Society Wellcome Wolfson Building, 165 Queen’s Gate, 37 Albert Embankment London SW7 5HD. London SE1 7TL. Contact: Tanja Siggs E-mail: Tel: 020 3031 9800 Policy Advisor - Legislation [email protected] Fax: 020 7582 2882 The British Psychological Society Website: www.britishscienceassociation.org E-mail: [email protected] St Andrews House Imran Khan will be Chief Executive from 2.4.13 Website: www.immunology.org 48 Princess Road East Leicester LE1 7DR Our vision is a society in which people are able to access The BSI is one of the oldest, largest and most active Tel: 0116 252 9526 science, engage with it and feel a sense of ownership immunology societies in the world. We have over Email: [email protected] about its direction. In such a society science advances 4,000 members who work in all areas of Website: www.bps.org.uk with, and because of, the involvement and active support immunology, including research and clinical of the public. practice. The British Psychological Society is an organisation Established in 1831, the British Science Association is a The BSI runs major scientific meetings, education of over 48,000 members governed by Royal registered charity which organises major initiatives across programmes and events for all ages. We Charter. It maintains the Register of Chartered the UK, including National Science and Engineering Week, disseminate top quality scientific research through Psychologists, publishes books, 11 primary science the British Science Festival, programmes of regional and our journals and meetings and we are committed to local events and the CREST programme for young people Journals and organises conferences. Requests for bringing the wonders and achievements of in schools and colleges. We provide opportunities for all information about psychology and psychologists immunology to as many audiences as possible. from parliamentarians are very welcome. ages to discuss, investigate, explore and challenge science.

British Society Cavendish Chartered for Antimicrobial Laboratory Institute of Chemotherapy The Administrative Secretary, The Cavendish Laboratory, Patent Attorneys Mrs Tracey Guise J J Thomson Avenue, Cambridge CB3 0HE, UK. Contact: Lee Davies – Chief Executive E-mail: [email protected] Executive Director The Chartered Institute of Patent Attorneys http://www.phy.cam.ac.uk British Society for Antimicrobial Chemotherapy 95 Chancery Lane, London WC2A 1DT Griffin House The Cavendish Laboratory houses the Department of Physics Tel: 020 7405 9450 53 Regent Place of the University of Cambridge. Fax: 020 7430 0471 Birmingham B1 3NJ The research programme covers the breadth of E-mail: [email protected] T: 0121 236 1988 contemporary physics Website: www.cipa.org.uk W: www.bsac.org.uk Extreme Universe: Astrophysics, cosmology and high Members of CIPA practise in intellectual property, Founded in 1971, and with 800 members energy physics especially patents, trade marks, designs, and worldwide, the Society exists to facilitate the Quantum Universe: Cold atoms, condensed matter theory, copyright, either in private partnerships or industrial acquisition and dissemination of knowledge in the scientific computing, quantum matter and semiconductor companies. Through its new regulatory Board, CIPA field of antimicrobial chemotherapy. The BSAC physics maintains the statutory Register. It advises publishes the Journal of Antimicrobial Materials Universe: Optoelectronics, nanophotonics, government and international circles on policy Chemotherapy (JAC), internationally renowned for detector physics, thin film magnetism, surface physics and its scientific excellence, undertakes a range of the Winton programme for the physics of sustainability issues and provides information services, promoting educational activities, awards grants for research Biological Universe: Physics of medicine, biological the benefits to UK industry of obtaining IP and has active relationships with its peer groups systems and soft matter protection, and to overseas industry of using British and government. The Laboratory has world-wide collaborations with other attorneys to obtain international protection. universities and industry

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Clifton The Council Eli Lilly and Scientific for the Company Trust Mathematical Sciences Ltd Contact: Dr Eric Albone Contact: Lindsay Walsh Contact: Thom Thorp, Senior Director, Clifton Scientific Trust De Morgan House Corporate Affairs 49 Northumberland Road, Bristol BS6 7BA 57-58 Russell Square Tel: 01256 315000 Tel: 0117 924 7664 Fax: 0117 924 7664 London WC1B 4HS Fax: 01256 775858 E-mail: [email protected] Tel: 020 7637 3686 Eli Lilly and Company Ltd, Lilly House Website: www.clifton-scientific.org Fax: 020 7323 3655 Priestley Road, Basingstoke, Hants, Email: [email protected] RG24 9NL Email. [email protected] Science for Citizenship and Employability, Website: www.cms.ac.uk Science for Life, Science for Real Website: www.lilly.co.uk

We build grass-roots partnerships between school and The Council for the Mathematical Sciences is an Lilly UK is the UK affiliate of a major American the wider world of professional science and its authoritative and objective body that works to develop, pharmaceutical manufacturer, Eli Lilly and Company applications influence and respond to UK policy issues affecting of Indianapolis. This affiliate is one of the UK’s top • for young people of all ages and abilities mathematical sciences in higher education and pharmaceutical companies with significant research, and therefore the UK economy and society by: • experiencing science as a creative, questioning, investment in science and technology including a • providing expert advice; human activity neuroscience research and development centre and • engaging with government, funding agencies and bulk biotechnology manufacturing operations. • bringing school science added meaning and other decision makers; notivation, from primary to post-16 • raising public awareness; and Lilly medicines treat schizophrenia, diabetes, cancer, • locally, nationally, internationally • facilitating communication between the osteoporosis, attention deficit hyperactivity (currently between Britain and Japan) mathematical sciences community and other disorder, erectile dysfunction, depression, bipolar Clifton Scientific Trust Ltd is registered charity 1086933 stakeholders disorder, heart disease and 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.

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.

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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: Rosemary Cook CBE (CEO) 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 Tel: 01904 610821 Fax: 01904 612279 E-mail: [email protected] society. We are a charitable organisation with a E-mail: [email protected] Website: www.instmc.org.uk worldwide membership of around 50,000, Website: www.ipem.ac.uk Reg Charity number: 269815 working together to advance physics education, IPEM is a registered, incorporated charity for the The Institute of Measurement and Control provides a research and application. advancement, in the public interest, of physics and forum for personal contact amongst practiioners, engineering applied to medicine and biology. It publishes learned papers and is a professional We engage with policymakers and the general accredits medical physicists, clinical engineers and examining and qualifying organisation able to confer clinical technologists through its membership register, the titles EurIng, CEng, IEng, EngTech; Companies and public to develop awareness and understanding organises training and CPD for them, and provides Universities may apply to become Companions. of the value of physics and, through IOP opportunities for the dissemination of knowledge through publications and scientific meetings. IPEM is Headquartered in London, the Institute has a strong Publishing, we are world leaders in professional regional base with 15 UK, 1 Hong Kong and 1 Malaysia licensed by the Science Council to award CSci, RSci and Local Section, a bilateral agreement with the China scientific communications. Visit us at RSciTech, and by the Engineering Council to award Instrument Society and other major international links. www.iop.org. CEng, IEng and 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 2123 Westbury E-mail: [email protected] Wiltshire BA13 3TA Website: www.ice.org.uk Tel: 01373 822801 Fax: 01373 858085 Representing over 80,000 professional civil engineers around E-mail: [email protected] the world, ICE actively contributes to the development of Website: www.ied.org.uk public policy at all levels of government in areas concerning infrastructure, engineering and our quality of life. Established in 1818, ICE is recognised worldwide for its The only professional membership body solely for excellence as a centre of learning, as a qualifying body and those working in engineering and technological as a public voice for the profession. Our members design, product design. Engineering Council and Chartered build and maintain the infrastructure that keeps our country Environmentalist registration for suitably qualified running. members. Membership includes experts on a wide Under our Royal Charter, we have a duty to provide range of engineering and product design independent, expert advice on infrastructure issues for the benefit of the public and to serve wider society. We are seen disciplines, all of whom practise, manage or by Parliament and industry alike as the authoritative voice of educate in design. infrastructure.

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, South Africa and the US.

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Marine Biological Association

Contact: Dr Elizabeth Rollinson, Contact: Julie McManus Contact: Dr Matthew Frost Executive Secretary 255 Hammersmith Road, London, W6 8AZ Marine Biological Association, The The Linnean Society of London Laboratory, Citadel Hill, Plymouth, PL1 2PB Burlington House, Piccadilly, Tel: 020 8762 4489 Tel: 07848028388 London W1J 0BF E-mail: [email protected] Fax: 01752 633102 Tel: 020 7434 4479 ext 12 E-mail: [email protected] Website: www.loreal.co.uk E-mail: [email protected] Website: mba.ac.uk Website: www.linnean.org For over 125 years the Marine Biological The Linnean Society of London is a professional L’Oréal employs more than 3,500 scientists Association has been delivering its mission ‘to learned body which promotes natural history in all around the world and dedicates over 500 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 is particularly active in the areas of biodiversity, million euros each year to research and conservation and sustainability, supporting its innovation in the field of healthy skin and hair. depends, and to disseminate to the public the knowledge gained.’ The MBA has extensive mission through organising open scientific The company collaborates with a vast number meetings and publishing peer-reviewed journals, as research and knowledge exchange programmes well as undertaking educational initiatives. The of institutions in the UK and globally. and a long history of providing evidence to support 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 independent voice to government on behalf of the and advise on scientific and public policy issues. marine biological community. A Forum for Natural History

Met Office National Physical Contact: Rob Pinnock Laboratory Contact: John Harmer European External Scientific Affairs Met Office Worldwide Licensing & Acquisitions Contact: Fiona Auty 127 Clerkenwell Road MSD National Physical Laboratory London EC1R 5LP. Hertford Road Hampton Road, Teddington Tel: 020 7204 7469 Hoddesdon Middlesex TW11 0LW E-mail: [email protected] Herts EN11 9BU Tel: 020 8977 3222 Website: www.metoffice.gov.uk Tel: 01992 452850 Website: www.npl.co.uk/contact-us e-mail: [email protected] The Met Office doesn’t just forecast the weather on www.merck.com The National Physical Laboratory (NPL) is the United television. Our forecasts and warnings protect UK Kingdom’s national measurement institute, an communities and infrastructure from severe MSD is a tradename of Merck & Co., Inc., with internationally respected and independent centre of weather and environmental hazards every day – excellence in research, development and headquarters in Whitehouse Station, N.J., U.S.A. they save lives and money. Our Climate Programme knowledge transfer in measurement and materials delivers evidence to underpin Government policy. MSD is an innovative, global health care leader that science. For more than a century, NPL has Our Mobile Meteorological Unit supports the is committed to improving health and well-being developed and maintained the nation’s primary Armed Forces around the world. We build capacity around the world. MSD discovers, develops, measurement standards - the heart of an infrastructure designed to ensure accuracy, overseas in support of international development. manufactures, and markets vaccines, medicines, consistency and innovation in physical All of this built on world-class environmental and consumer and animal health products designed science. measurement. to help save and improve lives.

Natural NEF: The Nesta History Innovation

The Science of Nature Museum Institute Contact: Simon Morrison Contact: Joe Baker Contact: Robyn Burriss Executive Director of Communications The Director’s Office Bective House, 10 Bective Place, London, 1 Plough Place Natural History Museum SW15 2PZ London EC4A 1DE Cromwell Road, London SW7 5BD Tel: 0208 786 3677 Tel: 020 7438 2608 Fax: 0208 271 3620 Tel: +44 (0)20 7942 5478 E-mail: [email protected] E-mail: [email protected] Fax: 020 7438 2501 Fax: +44 (0)20 7942 5075 Website: www.thenef.org.uk E-mail: [email protected] Nesta is the UK’s innovation foundation with a mission to Website: www.nhm.ac.uk The Innovation Institute is the leading provider of innovation and help people and organisations bring great ideas to life. growth solutions to business, education and government. We do this by providing investments and grants and Through our strategic programmes we help our clients and mobilising research, networks and skills. We maintain and develop the collections we care for and stakeholders to: use them to promote the discovery, understanding, Nesta doesn’t work alone. We rely on the strength of the responsible use and enjoyment of the natural world. I Achieve performance excellence partnerships we form with other innovators, community I Drive entrepreneurship organisations, educators and investors too. We are part of the UK’s science base as a major science I Diversify products and markets We are an independent charity and our work is enabled infrastructure which is used by our scientists and others from I Develop innovative cultures by an endowment from the National Lottery. across the UK and the globe working together to enhance I Influence policy to stimulate innovation knowledge on the diversity of the natural world. Nesta Operating Company is a registered charity in Our charitable arm, the New Engineering Foundation, supports Our value to society is vested in our research responses to England and Wales with a company number 7706036 challenges facing the natural world today, in engaging our vocational scientific and technical skills development at strategic and charity number 1144091. Registered as a charity in visitors in the science of nature, in inspiring and training the level. In addition, our Institute of Innovation and Knowledge Scotland number SC042833. Registered office: 1 Plough next generation of scientists and in being a major cultural Exchange is a professional body and “do tank”, led by the Place, London, EC4A 1DE. tourist destination. Innovation Council to support the role of innovation in society. www.nesta.org.uk

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Prospect PHARMAQ Ltd Contact: Sue Ferns, Contact: Dr Benjamin P North Contact: Dr Philip Wright Chief Executive Director of Communications and Research, PHARMAQ Ltd Hodgkin Huxley House New Prospect House Unit 15 Sandleheath Industrial Estate 30 Farringdon Lane 8 Leake St, London SE1 7NN Fordingbridge London EC1R 3AW Tel: 020 7902 6639 Fax: 020 7902 6637 Hants SP6 1PA. Tel: +44 (0) 20 7269 5710 E-mail: [email protected] E-mail: [email protected] Tel: 01425 656081 www.prospect.org.uk E-mail: [email protected] Website: www.physoc.org Website: www.pharmaq.no Prospect is an independent, thriving and forward- The Physiological Society brings together over 3000 looking trade union with 120,000 members across PHARMAQ is the only global pharmaceutical company scientists from over 60 countries. Since its the private and public sectors and a diverse range of with a primary focus on aquaculture. We provide foundation in 1876, our Members have made occupations. We represent scientists, technologists environmentally sound, safe and efficacious health significant contributions to the understanding of and other professions in the civil service, research products to the global aquaculture industry through biological systems and the treatment of disease. The councils and private sector. Society promotes physiology with the public and targeted research and the commitment of dedicated Prospect’s collective voice champions the interests of people. Our product range includes vaccines, anaesthetics, Parliament alike, and actively engages with policy the engineering and scientific community to key antibiotics, sea lice treatments and biocide disinfectants. makers. It supports physiologists by organising opinion-formers and policy makers. With We also recently acquired a diagnostics company, world-class conferences and offering grants for negotiating rights with over 300 employers, we seek PHARMAQ Analytiq, which offers a range of diagnostics research. It also publishes the latest developments in services that help to safeguard fish welfare and improve the field in its two leading scientific journals, The to secure a better life at work by putting members’ productivity in the global aquaculture industry. Journal of Physiology and Experimental Physiology. pay, conditions and careers first.

Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew Contact: Director’s Office, Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, Richmond, Contact: Dr Gail Cardew Surrey, TW9 3AB Director of Science and Education Tel: 020 83325112 Fax: 020 83325109 The Royal Institution Email: [email protected] 21 Albemarle Street, London W1S 4BS Contact: Iffat Memon Website: www.kew.org Tel: 020 7409 2992 Fax: 020 7670 2920 Public Affairs Manager E-mail: [email protected] The Royal Academy of Engineering RBG Kew is a centre of global scientific expertise in plant and fungal diversity, conservation and sustainable use, Websites: www.rigb.org, www.richannel.org 3 Carlton House Terrace housed in two world-class gardens. Kew is a non- Twitter: ri_science London SW1Y 5DG departmental public body with exempt charitable status Tel: 020 7766 0653 and receives approximately half its funding from government through Defra. Kew’s Breathing Planet The core activities of the Royal Institution centre E-mail: [email protected] Programme has seven key priorities: around four main themes: science education, Website: www.raeng.org.uk • Accelerating discovery and global access to plant and science communication, research and heritage. It is Founded in 1976, The Royal Academy of Engineering fungal diversity information perhaps best known for the Ri Christmas Lectures, • Mapping and prioritising habitats most at risk promotes the engineering and technological welfare • Conserving what remains but it also has a public events programme and an of the country. Our activities – led by the UK’s most • Sustainable local use of plants and fungi online science short-film channel, as well as a UK- • Banking seed from 25% of plant species in the eminent engineers – develop the links between wide Young People’s Programme of science and engineering, technology, and the quality of life. As a Millennium Seed Bank Partnership mathematics enrichment activities. Internationally national academy, we provide impartial advice to • Restoring and repairing habitats • Inspiring through botanic gardens Government; work to secure the next generation of recognised research programmes in bio- and engineers; and provide a voice for Britain’s Kew’s mission is to inspire and deliver science-based plant nanomagnetism take place in the Davy Faraday conservation worldwide, enhancing the quality of life. engineering community. Research Laboratory.

The Royal Society for Society Applied The Royal Society Contact: Dr Peter Cotgreave Microbiology Director of Fellowship and Scientific Affairs of Chemistry The Royal Society, 6-9 Carlton House Terrace Contact: Philip Wheat London SW1Y 5AG. Contact: Dr Matthew Brown Society for Applied Microbiology Tel: 020 7451 2502 Fax: 020 7930 2170 Government Affairs Manager Bedford Heights, Brickhill Drive Email: [email protected] Royal Society of Chemistry, Burlington House Bedford MK41 7PH Website: www.royalsociety.org Piccadilly, London W1J 0BA Tel: 01234 326661 Tel: 020 7440 3306 Fax: 01234 326678 Fax: 020 7440 3393 E-mail: [email protected] The Royal Society is the UK academy of science Email: [email protected] Website: www.sfam.org.uk comprising 1400 outstanding individuals Website: http://www.rsc.org SfAM is the oldest UK microbiological society and representing the sciences, engineering and http://www.chemsoc.org aims to advance, for the benefit of the public, the medicine. It has had a hand in some of the most The Royal Society of Chemistry is a learned, science of microbiology in its application to the innovative and life-changing discoveries in scientific professional and scientific body of over 48,000 environment, human and animal health, agriculture history. Through its Fellowship and permanent staff, members with a duty under its Royal Charter “to and industry. serve the public interest”. It is active in the areas of it seeks to ensure that its contribution to shaping education and qualifications, science policy, SfAM is the voice of applied microbiology with the future of science in the UK and beyond has a publishing, Europe, information and internet members across the globe and works in partnership with sister organisations to exert influence on deep and enduring impact. services, media relations, public understanding of science, advice and assistance to Parliament and policy-makers world-wide. Government.

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Society Society of of Biology Chemical Industry (SCI) Contact: Dariel Burdass Contact: Dr Stephen Benn Head of Communications Director Parliamentary Affairs Society for General Microbiology Charles Darwin House Contact: Reshna Radiven Marlborough House, Basingstoke Road, SCI Spencers Wood, Reading RG7 1AG. 12 Roger Street 14-15 Belgrave Square Tel: 0118 988 1802 Fax: 0118 988 5656 London WC1N 2JU London SW1X 8PS E-mail: [email protected] Tel: 020 7685 2550 Tel: 020 7598 1500 Website: www.sgm.ac.uk E-mail: [email protected] Fax: 020 7235 7743 E-mail: [email protected] SGM is the largest microbiological society in The Society of Biology has a duty under its Royal Website: www.soci.org Europe. The Society publishes four journals of Charter “to serve the public benefit” by advising international standing, and organises regular Parliament and Government is a single unified voice SCI is an inclusive, multi-disciplinary forum scientific meetings. for biology: advising Government and influencing connecting scientists and business people to SGM also promotes education and careers in policy; advancing education and professional advance the commercial application of chemistry microbiology, and it is committed to represent development; supporting our members, and and related sciences for public benefit. SCI is open microbiology to government, the media and the engaging and encouraging public interest in the life to all to join and share information, ideas, public. sciences. The Society represents a diverse innovations and research. Members can network membership of over 80,000 - including, students, with specialists from sectors as diverse as food and An information service on microbiological issues bio-renewables, water, waste and environment, concerning aspects of medicine, agriculture, food practising scientists and interested non- energy, materials, manufacturing and health. 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 • educating and raising awareness of welfare chemistry to biology and photo-biology, dermatology, issues in the UK and overseas. microbiology, physical sciences and psychology. and naval ships, ports and terminals infrastructure, offshore oil & gas, maritime security & safety, • producing the leading journal Animal Welfare Members are scientists and the SCS helps them and other high-quality publications on animal progress their careers and the science of cosmetics marine science and technology and marine 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 is the leading engineering institution with expertise in solving problems in all aspects of manufacturing, fabrication and whole-life integrity management. Personal membership provides professional development for engineers and technicians, and registration as Chartered or Incorporated Engineer, or Engineering Technician. Industrial membership provides access to one of the world’s foremost independent research and technology organisations. TWI 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: Sarah Cooper, 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 E-mail: [email protected] E-mail: [email protected] E-mail: [email protected] Website: 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 BBSRC invests in world-class bioscience research agency addressing economic and social concerns. in engineering and physical sciences, investing and training on behalf of the UK public. Our aim is We pursue excellence in social science research; around £800m a year in research and postgraduate training, to help the nation handle the next to further scientific knowledge to promote work to increase the impact of our research on 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 improve quality of life in the UK and beyond. BBSRC beneficiaries, thereby contributing to the economic technology to structural engineering, and research is helping society to meet major competitiveness of the United Kingdom, the mathematics to materials science. This research challenges, including food security, green energy effectiveness of public services and policy, and forms the basis for future economic development in the UK and improvements for everyone’s health, and healthier, longer lives and underpins important quality of life. The ESRC is independent, established lifestyle and culture. EPSRC works alongside other UK economic sectors, such as farming, food, by Royal Charter in 1965, and funded mainly by Research Councils with responsibility for other areas industrial biotechnology and pharmaceuticals. government. of research.

Medical Natural Science & Research Environment Technology Council Research Council Facilities Council Contact: Louise Wren, Public Affairs and Contact : Judy Parker Mark Foster Stakeholder Engagement Manager Head of Communications Public Affairs Manager One Kemble Street, London WC2B 4AN. NERC, Polaris House, North Star Avenue, Rutherford Appleton Laboratory Tel: 020 7395 2277 Swindon SN2 1EU Harwell Science & Innovation Campus E-mail: [email protected] Tel: 01793 411646 Fax: 01793 411510 Didcot OX11 0QX Website: www.mrc.ac.uk E-mail: [email protected] Tel: 01235 778328 Fax: 01235 445 808 Website: www.nerc.ac.uk E-mail: [email protected] Over the past century, the MRC has been at the forefront Website: www.stfc.ac.uk of scientific discovery to improve human health. Founded The NERC invests public money in cutting-edge research, in 1913 to tackle tuberculosis, the MRC now invests training and knowledge transfer in the environmental The Science and Technology Facilities Council is one of taxpayers’ money in the highest quality medical research sciences – through Universities and our own research Europe’s largest multidisciplinary research organisations across every area of health. Twenty-nine MRC-funded supporting scientists and engineers world-wide. The researchers have won Nobel prizes in a wide range of centres. We work from the poles to the ocean depths Research Council operates world-class, large-scale disciplines, and MRC scientists have been behind such and to the edge of space, researching critical issues such research facilities and provides strategic advice to the diverse discoveries as vitamins, the structure of DNA and as biodiversity loss, climate change and natural hazards. UK Government on their development. The STFC the link between smoking and cancer, as well as Through collaboration with other science disciplines, partners in two of the UK’s Science and Innovation achievements such as pioneering the use of randomised with UK business and with policy-makers, we deliver controlled trials, the invention of MRI scanning, and the Campuses. It also manages international research development of therapeutic antibodies. We also work knowledge and skills to support sustainable economic projects in support of a broad cross-section of the UK closely with the UK’s Health Departments, the NHS, growth and public wellbeing – reducing risks to health, research community, particularly in the fields of medical research charities and industry to ensure our infrastructure and supply chains, and the natural astronomy, nuclear physics and particle physics. The Council directs, co-ordinates and funds research, research achieves maximum impact as well as being of environment on which we all depend. excellent scientific quality. education and training.

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SCIENCE DIARY

THE PARLIAMENTARY AND Many past events are available to watch or Many of the events are free, but may SCIENTIFIC COMMITTEE listen to online at http://royalsociety.tv The require tickets to be booked in advance. For Tel: 020 7222 7085 collection includes events with speakers more information visit: [email protected] such as Jocelyn Bell Burnell FRS, Val http://www.britishscienceassociation.org/briti www.scienceinparliament.org.uk McDermid and Professor Brian Cox OBE. sh-science-festival Details of all our events can be found on The British Science Festival is working in Tuesday 22 October our website at royalsociety.org/events partnership with Corylus Learning to host Smart Buildings ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– thousands of young people at the Festival Tuesday 5 November THE ROYAL INSTITUTION as part of the schools’ programme. For Annual Lunch 21 Albemarle Street more information visit: Guest of Honour: Sir Mark Walport FRS London W1S 4BS. http://www.britishscienceassociation.org/briti Government Chief Scientific Adviser sh-science-festival/schools-programme Tuesday 19 November Details of future events can be found at A Good Immigration Policy for Science www.rigb.org ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– Tuesday 10 December Booking is essential. For more information THE INSTITUTION OF Deep Sea Mining to include Protection of and to book visit www.rigb.org MECHANICAL ENGINEERS the Seabed There is a charge for tickets. Members go The Institution of Mechanical Engineers ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– free. plays a leading role in the international THE ROYAL SOCIETY ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– engineering community in providing advice to governments, industry and global society. Website: royalsociety.org PARLIAMENTARY OFFICE OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY Each year it organise some 300 technical conferences, seminars, lectures, debates The Royal Society hosts a series of free For details of events organised by POST visit and workshops around the UK and events, including evening lectures and http://www.parliament.uk/mps-lords-and- internationally, on key updates, conferences, covering the whole breadth of offices/offices/bicameral/post/post-events/ developments or new techniques across 18 science, engineering and technology for ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– engineering and manufacturing sectors. public, policy and scientific audiences. BRITISH SCIENCE ASSOCIATION Events are held at the Royal Society’s offices The British Science Festival will be taking For details visit: www.imeche.org/events in London, at the Royal Society at Chicheley place in Newcastle upon Tyne, celebrating Hall, home of the Kavli Royal Society all the North East has to offer. International Centre, Buckinghamshire and The full programme will be available online other venues. in July, when the booking system will open.

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 Lord Jenkin of Roding Mr Atti Emecz www.scienceinparliament.org.uk Chairman: Mr Andrew Miller MP Professor Ian Haines Editor: Professor Alan Malcolm Deputy Chairman: Mr Tom Blenkinsop MP Dr Guy Hembury Editorial Assistant: Annabel Lloyd Hon Treasurer: The Lord Willis of Knaresborough Professor Colin Seabrook The production of this issue has been supported by Hon Secretary: Mr Stephen Mosley MP Advisory Panel: Dr Stuart Taylor contributions from the Society of Biology, the New Engineering Vice-Presidents: Mr Paul Ridout Mr David Youdan Foundation, the British Ecological Society and the Institute of Mr Philip Greenish CBE Dr David Dent Physics and those organisations who have entries in the Mr John Slater Secretariat: Professor Alan Malcolm Science Directory (pages 52-59). Dr Stephen Benn Mrs Annabel Lloyd

Published by the Parliamentary and Scientific Committee, 3 Birdcage Walk, London SW1H 9JJ. Published four times a year. The 2013 subscripton rate is £80. Single numbers £20. ISSN 0263-6271 All enquiries, including those from members wishing to take the front or back covers, advertise in the journal or appear in the directory to Mrs Annabel Lloyd, Tel 020 7222 7085 Copyright ©2013 by Parliamentary and Scientific Committee. All rights reserved. None of the articles in this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form, or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying recording or otherwise without the prior written permission of the copyright owner. Typeset and printed by The Bridge Press.

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The British Ecological Society Celebrates its Centenary in 2013 with:

Launch of Ecological Issues report Four educational wall charts on on the impact of extreme events on cross curricula ecological issues freshwater ecology Three cross disciplinary scientific World’s largest gathering of meetings on topical ecological academic ecologists at the 11th issues, marine science, global INTECOL conference change & biosphere interactions and disease 125 ecological themed events for the public Publication of 100 Influential Papers published in 100 years of British Ecological Society journals

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SiP ad indd 1 20/6/13 11:40:31