Spring 2018 Issue
SCIENCE IN PARLIAMENT 8 1 0 2
G N I The Journal of the R
Parliamentary and P Scientific Committee sip S
Opening in 2018, the Quadr am I nstitut e will f ocus on the impac t of diet and micr ob es on health y ageing , br ing ing clinicians alongside This is not an official publication of the House of scien tists under one r oof , maximising Commons or the House of Lords. It has not been approved the unique w or ld- class bioscienc e by either House or its Committees. All-Party Groups are informal groups of clust er a t the Nor wich members of both Houses with a common Resear ch P ar k. interest in particular issues. The views expressed in this Journal are those of the Group. This Journal is funded by the members of the Parliamentary and Scientific Committee. www.scienceinparliament.org.uk quadr am.ac .uk At t he f orefro nt of en er gy transfor mation
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More t ha n 1,000 7 re searc hers pa rtners
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included in this edition. We also STEM for BRITAIN. Details of the include a summary of the winners can be found on the SCIENCE IN PARLIAMENT meeting we held jointly with the website APPG on Food and Drink www.stemforbritain.org.uk and Manufacturing where we we will be publishing a special discussed the Science of Food STEM for BRITAIN edition of Manufacturing. Science in Parliament in the sip Summer. As the Government Envoy to the Year of Engineering – the I hope you will enjoy the The Journal of the Parliamentary and campaign that will see plethora of other topics Scientific Committee. Stephen Metcalfe MP, government join forces with presented in this issue from the The Parliamentary and Scientific Chairman, Parliamentary and industry to give thousands of up and coming science Committee is an All-Party Scientific Committee Parliamentary Group of members of young people direct and inspiring surrounding microbiomes both both Houses of Parliament and British experiences of engineering within and around us to how members of the European Parliament, representatives of scientific and Welcome to the Spring edition of throughout 2018 – I have been science and engineering can technical institutions, industrial Science in Parliament . As ever it busy around the country visiting help us with the real challenge of organisations and universities. has been a busy start to the year projects. You can discover more achieving the ambitious CO 2 for both myself and the about the Year of Engineering in reduction targets set by Government of 50% compared Parliamentary and Scientific this edition and find out more with 1990s levels by 2030, and Committee. Our opening about how you can get involved an 80% reduction by 2050. meeting on ‘Data as a resource ’ in this celebration of Engineering. drew a capacity audience I was pleased to see many fascinated in the potential of data fascinating engineering projects Science in Parliament has two main but also concerned about some alongside those from the objectives: of the ethical issues presented. biosciences, physical sciences 1. to inform the scientific and Many of the issues presented by and mathematics at the finals of industrial communities of activities within Parliament of a scientific our excellent speakers are our Annual Poster Competition nature and of the progress of relevant legislation; 2. to keep Members of Parliament abreast of scientific affairs.
CONTENTS
FOREWORD 1 DATA IN REAL-LIFE CANCER THERAPY 12 RADIOTHERAPY - CANCER TREATMENT OF THE Stephen Metcalfe MP Bissan Al-Lazakani FUTURE 22 SCIENCE AND FOOD MANUFACTURING 2 DATA AS A RESOURCE: FOR WHAT? AND FOR Alexandra Stewart, Andy Beavis Helen Munday, John Bows, Tim Foster, Ian Noble WHO? 15 UPDATE FROM HOC LIBRARY 25 Simon Burall IT IS TIME FOR A NATIONAL STRATEGY FOR Edward Potton ENERGY INNOVATION 4 UNLOCKING THE MICROBIOME 16 Gordon Waddington Paul Richards, Roya Ziaie NEWS FROM POST 25 Jonathan Wentworth ENERGY EFFICIENT MOTORS ON AN INDUSTRIAL A YEAR TO INSPIRE THE ENGINEERS OF SCALE 7 TOMORROW 18 SELECT COMMITTEES UPDATE 26 Christopher Donaghy-Spargo Jo Parry SCIENCE DIRECTORY 31 MAKING DATA WORK 10 VOICE OF THE FUTURE 2018 20 Mandy Chessell SCIENCE DIARY 40
Science in Parliament | Vol 74 No 1 | Spring 2018 1 SCIENCE AND FOOD MANUFACTURING The food and drink manufacturing industry is the biggest sector will create benefits for us all. Fail to do so and we risk manufacturing sector in the country – bigger than the losing it to overseas automotive and aerospace industries combined. The food supply competitors. chain employs almost 4 million people and generates £112bn of In 2015 Roger Eccleston value to the UK economy each year. The food and drink (Sheffield Hallam University) manufacturing sector contributes £28.8bn to the economy. and I approached the Institute of Physics because we saw a Then, how does the food and drink sector continue to deliver the need for physics within food manufacturing to grow. We wide variety of safe, affordable food to consumers? With Brexit identified an opportunity for making exports so key – how can we build on food and drink’s physics to enable growth within the sector by using physics- £20 billion in global exports? based research to solve its pre- competitive challenges, and The answers to these and efficiency. It was illustrated that his capacity of Chair of the also spotted a chance for the many other questions are of maintaining the sector at the Institute of Physics (IOP) Physics industry to play a central role in course through science and forefront of technology is vital, in Food Manufacturing Group. solving some genuine innovation to deliver productivity and underpins the success of He reflected on his own fundamental physics problems. and growth . During the UK’s largest manufacturing personal views expressed as Taking on the challenge, the December’s meeting of the sector. follows (which do not IOP created a pilot programme Parliamentary and Scientific necessarily reflect the position or First to present was Helen of open innovation in food Committee and the All Party policy of PepsiCo Inc.) Munday, Chief Scientific Officer manufacturing, culminating in Parliamentary Group (APPG) for “Working in the food at the Food and Drink the IOP publishing the ‘Health Food and Drink Manufacturing, manufacturing sector, I know Federation, who set the scene, of Physics in Food attendees were enlightened by how important physics is. Much including giving details on the Manufacturing’ report in 2016. speakers from the food and drink dimensions of the sector. This of the technology used, and sector on a breadth of topics that included the fact that the sector many of the innovations that The food sector faces global demonstrated how technologically contains many small and make the sector competitive, challenges including population advanced the industry is. medium enterprises (SMEs), in are underpinned by physics. It’s growth, globalisation, food security, minimising Introduced by Chairmen fact 96% of businesses fall into central to improvements in environmental impact, and Stephen Metcalfe MP (for the this category. Therefore, products themselves. And dealing with concerns of health Parliamentary and Scientific technology transfer can look physics-based skills are and nutrition. A multi-disciplinary Committee) and John very different for these applicable throughout the approach is necessary to tackle Stevenson MP (for the APPG for organisations compared to the industry, from breaking these and physics has a critical Food and Drink Manufacturing) highly sophisticated multi- problems down to first role to play, from soft examples were given of how national organisations (many of principles, through generating condensed matter research, science has and is transforming which have research and testable hypotheses and insights from computer the food and drink available. development laboratories in the working with complex maths, to modelling and advanced Manufacturers offer greater UK). Helen also talked about creating simulations to make predictions as to how food will measurement techniques. variety, higher quality, and more the huge diversity of scientific and technology skills that are behave. convenience than ever before, Food manufacturing is a large, needed within the industry, from and tomorrow’s consumer will But there’s a general lack of diverse sector in which physics sensory scientists, to have different needs again to awareness of this elsewhere. plays a crucial role and which microbiologists, and process those of today. Central to these That crucial role of physics in can benefit enormously from engineers. changes is the investment in the food sector needs to be fully physics-based innovation. science, research and innovation Next to present was John recognised – and taken full Physics is a significant lever in – used to increase shelf life, Bows, Research and advantage of. If we create the food manufacturing – it tackles reformulate products to improve Development Director at conditions in which food all of the industry’s main diets, and drive productivity and PepsiCo. John was speaking in manufacturing can flourish, the challenges. But if the sector is to
2 Science in Parliament | Vol 74 No 1 | Spring 2018 Leadership Council was the final speaker at the event, bringing to life how science has enabled all aspects of the transformation to our modern, developed food system delivering safe, affordable, nutritious and high quality food for all, addressing the challenges of the 20th Century.
A visit to a modern food manufacturer can be a surprise for many, encountering for the first time the levels of science and technology used: from analytical chemistries also found in the pharmaceutical sector; computational modelling, in- silica simulation and material sciences also adopted in the aerospace sector and process automation, sensor technologies and control systems at levels common in state of the art manufacturing. It is the combination of understanding reach its full potential, the developed 80 researchers productivity for food processors the underpinning chemistry, science base that supports it (future research leaders), and manufacturers. This will physics, microbiology and needs investment – and that enabled a national network of enable new food production engineering sciences at length investment must be directed leading academics to be and delivery models to provide scales from ‘molecular to appropriately.” developed and which have better access to food, through microstructures to final products’ acquired £17m in additional developing a more consumer acting simultaneously that has Next to speak was Professor funding. The funding for these centric, flexible, dynamic and enabled the transformation to Tim Foster, Director, EPSRC three centres finishes at the end sustainable food system. our modern food system. Centre for Innovative of 2018. Manufacturing in Food. Tim In order to deliver against this The challenge ahead of us all spoke of the funding landscape Additionally, moving towards a mission the three afore is to deliver the advances in that supports the food regenerative circular economy it mentioned centres have science with the UK’s world manufacturing sector in the UK. identifies a new bioeconomy combined with an overall vision class academic groups, needed He highlighted that the strategy that will develop new ‘to make the UK the most to address the challenges of our RSC/IChemE report Food: T he low carbon bio-based products efficient converter of biomass to 21st century global food system: Vital Ingredient , launched in and processes, and the need for deliver safe food for a healthy environmental sustainability, Portcullis House in 2009 zero avoidable waste and a nation with the lowest productivity, biodiversity, food reported on the need for doubling of resource productivity environmental impact’, and are security and our modern fundamental research within by 2050. In addition, and in seeking government support to lifestyles. Successfully translating virtual centres of excellence, in response, the UK food industry enable this to happen, and to scientific breakthroughs into order to keep the UK food has identified the need for the continue to develop the talent world leading commercial manufacturing industry at the development of low-cost, pool for future prosperity. technologies will be vital to forefront of global food science nutritionally balanced, enable our largest and most Professor Ian Noble, Senior and innovation. To this end consumer-preferred products geographically diverse RDQ Director – Mondelez three centres were funded in that are based on sustainable manufacturing sector to International, and member of 2013 (‘EPSRC Centre for sources of materials through continue nourishing the UK’s the Agri-Food Technology Innovative Manufacturing in valorisation of UK agricultural population and its economy. Food’, the ‘Centre for Sustainable produce and food-process side- Energy Use in Food Chains’ and stream materials. Also novel the ‘National Centre of flexible and scalable Excellence in Food Engineering’), manufacturing solutions and which collectively have digital technologies to maximise
Science in Parliament | Vol 74 No 1 | Spring 2018 3 IT IS TIME FOR A NATIONAL STRATEGY FOR ENERGY INNOVATION The great challenge of the 21st century is how to address the issue of climate change. To quote just two of the climate change statistics, the 21st century has seen 17 of the 18 warmest years on record and if the Greenland ice sheet melts sea levels will rise by approximately 8 metres. Statistics on the effects of climate change are everywhere but it remains really hard to see practical solutions that will reverse this trend without massive damage to our domestic or the global economy. We can see how to slow things down: recycling more; Gordon Waddington, CEO of the Energy Research Accelerator (ERA) electric vehicles; better insulation; switching from coal to gas; all electric aircraft etc. but it is very difficult to see enough ideas genuinely to reverse global warming. Our current efforts are all Gordon Waddington is the Chief Executive of the Energy good, they buy us time, but we need to be prepared to look out Research Accelerator (ERA). In beyond our current initiatives to ensure we are developing this article he argues that there is now an urgent need solutions for the long term. for a national clean energy already possible to see the the determination of the motor strategy in order to ensure AMBITIOUS CO 2 that the UK can achieve its REDUCTION TARGETS technologies that will help us industry to move towards more aim of reducing CO 2 levels by The UK government is quite get there. Improvements in solar electric and hybrid vehicles, will 80% by 2050. rightly taking the climate change and wind power generation, all help us to achieve the issue very seriously and has set breakthroughs in battery and targets. There is therefore a hydrogen storage technologies, pathway emerging that can help ambitious CO 2 reduction targets. Our target for 2030 is to cut new carbon capture techniques, us reach the 2030 goal over the emission levels by 50% the phasing out of coal fired next 12 years. compared with 1990s levels, power stations, combined with but to reduce that even further to an 80% reduction by 2050. However if you have ever tried to lose weight you will know that it’s relatively easy to lose the first half of your target, but losing the last few pounds is always a lot harder. The same will be true of the effort required to achieve our 2050 climate change target. In fact the target may well prove to be impossible if we only have our current range of ideas.
The 2030 targets are ERA is investing in facilities to support a range of new innovations challenging enough but it is including Vehicle to Grid technologies
4 Science in Parliament | Vol 74 No 1 | Spring 2018 Indeed within these fields there are excellent things being developed today. Some of these can be seen in the government’s Faraday Challenge around battery technologies that was announced last year. One of the proposals is around a project to support electric vehicles to work smartly with the grid. Vehicles that can take electricity from the grid when demand is low and return it when demand is high, could help to even out peaks and troughs and make the grid more efficient, particularly important when the calculations show that if we all start charging our electric cars when we get home at 6pm, and the grid is structured the way it is today, entire sections of our electrical infrastructure will fail due to overload.
Another very different example of demonstrated technologies is at the Trent Basin housing development in Nottingham. A Professor Mark Gillott from University of Nottingham using the Trent Basin interactive energy system display community energy project working in conjunction with the we move towards a low carbon the environment where such something that is very University of Nottingham and future and always with an eye ideas can thrive. challenging with Lithium Ion the City Council has recently on the bigger picture of whether batteries, the time it takes to If we have to start thinking installed the largest community or not we are actually reducing recharge batteries is still likely to now about how we achieve the energy battery in Europe. harmful energy creation. be very off putting for motorists 2050 targets, and we don’t yet Supplied by Tesla and providing unless something changes. The 12 years to the start of know what all the technologies 2.1MWh of storage, this battery Remote charging or even this period is not very long to will be that will contribute to the allows residents to store energy charging whilst moving could move complex ideas from the overall solution, then we need being generated by on-site solar transform the transport sector laboratory through a to accelerate and integrate the panels. This can then be used to and might even make electric demonstration phase and energy research work by sell back electricity to the grid at lorries practical, but the bigger ultimately into economically creating the environment that peak times, generating profits for picture requires us to recognise viable solutions. Work on the will allow energy research, their local community energy that this potentially will increase innovation and entrepreneurship company, and significantly 30% reduction required massively the demand for to thrive. reducing energy bills for between 2030 and 2050 needs electricity, because the energy residents. to be underway in our academic The transport sector accounts has to come from somewhere. institutions now if we are to for over a quarter of all CO 2 DISRUPTIVE generate enough ideas to emissions, and while sales of CREATING A TECHNOLOGIES deliver on our target. We need hybrid and electric vehicles are PIONEERING SPIRIT However, to achieve a further to be working on the steadily increasing, they still America continues to create an 30% reduction in CO 2 development of new, disruptive account for less than 5% of the amazing environment for emissions between 2030 and technologies, and on things that UK car market. One of the innovation. Silicon Valley and 2050, a further series of today perhaps don’t seem to issues that concerns motorists is Elon Musk’s SpaceX Falcon significant steps are likely to be make sense. We need truly the relatively short range of Heavy Rocket are excellent required. We are going to need creative thinking; new ideas that electric vehicles, and even if the examples of the pioneering spirit many more ideas to solve the will change the world and we range increases to something of American technology and the myriad issues that will arise as need to be prepared to create close to conventional vehicles, UK is capable of creating a
Science in Parliament | Vol 74 No 1 | Spring 2018 5 similar pioneering spirit in Cardiff, are just some of the provides an unprecedented expensive and not knowing particular areas; clean energy examples of initiatives up and £4.7bn to work on a limited what they have to offer, or how can and should be one of those down the country established to number of areas where the UK they could collaborate together. areas. Historically the UK has accelerate the fundamental can lead the world. Two of the If we get this right the UK can been one of the world leaders work on clean energy. The Industrial Strategy’s four ‘Grand be one of the beacons across in energy technologies: Calder challenge though is to harness Challenges’ - Clean Growth, and the planet where countries look Hall was the world’s first this work into a coherent whole. The Future of Mobility - are for inspiration on this most industrial scale civil nuclear We need to focus on working heavily focused on finding new pressing of problems and we reactor and John Goodenough with industry to use academic low carbon energy solutions. cannot afford to sit waiting for in 1980 working in Oxford capabilities with industrial The restructuring of the work of others to come up with the created the modern re- muscle and determination to the Research Councils and answers. chargeable Lithium Ion battery. deliver practical solutions. We Innovate UK into UKRI to try and These are just two examples need encouragement by ensure that the research We need a national clean government to think long term, where the UK led the world undertaken is relevant should energy strategy, and I make no beyond the life time of one technologically. Sadly in both of make a difference, and the apology for repeating myself on Parliament or Brexit to find and these cases we are no longer creation of the Energy Systems this point. We need Energy deliver the solutions for the 20 world leaders, others have Catapult all help to provide Innovation Zones across the years beyond 2030. If we get passed us, but we have the focus. country, where the brightest this right it can also create many people with the skills and the minds in the UK, who have export opportunities determination to be world A NATIONAL CLEAN expertise to contribute on clean leaders in clean energy in the There are good examples of ENERGY STRATEGY energy, can work together. We future. In order to harness the best practice out there today. The Government together with need a lot more practical
The Energy Innovation Centre at Warwick University is at the forefront of battery research best that the UK has we must With £60m of funding from MPs of all parties can help to economic ideas that can help us be prepare to work together, the Innovate UK, and bringing create a climate that encourages deliver the 2030-2050 target. By best of academia, the best and together the six Universities of and supports innovation working together we can most agile industries both big Aston, Birmingham, Leicester, between academia and industry develop and exploit new and small and government. We Loughborough, Nottingham and on energy projects. Big disruptive technologies that will need a national clean energy Warwick, plus the British companies have been working help us to achieve the low strategy. Geological Survey, the Energy with universities for decades, carbon future that is so vital not just for the future of the UK but The Energy Research Research Accelerator (ERA) is but for the majority of smaller the world. Accelerator in the Midlands, the providing a springboard for businesses, the idea of working Joseph Swan Centre at energy research acceleration. with a university is not Newcastle, Energy Systems Furthermore The Industrial something that they would Research at Strathclyde and Strategy Challenge Fund consider, believing it to be
6 Science in Parliament | Vol 74 No 1 | Spring 2018 ENERGY EFFICIENT MOTORS ON AN INDUSTRIAL SCALE Innovative energy efficient electric motor technologies can significantly reduce industrial electricity demand on a global scale, saving process-intensive industries money while helping to combat climate change.
It is worth starting with the increasing amount of useful world legislators. Global energy fact that total energy energy using renewables, or efficiency drives are explicitly consumption of the entire else reduce the demand, backed up by various globe is approximately more perhaps by increasing energy international governmental than 100,000 TWh, which is efficiency? agreements, for example, the the amount of energy that has Paris Agreement and more Concerning the UK and specifically from the European Dr. Christopher Donaghy-Spargo undergone processing from Europe, the Energy Efficiency BEng PhD CEng Commission, where on 30th primary forms into usable forms Financial Institutions Group Assistant Professor of Electrical November 2016 the Engineering & Deputy Director of (electricity, heat, etc. at the (EEFIG) suggests that there is a Commission proposed an Future Energy Systems in the point of use). The total vast potential for energy savings Department of Engineering production is higher (around update to its Energy Efficiency Durham University, UK (energy efficiency) in both Directive, including a new 30% 20%) due to losses in the buildings and industry 1. Energy energy efficiency target for transformation processes and efficiency can mean reducing 2030 2. So, there is some its transportation from its initial overall energy demand. This can traction here. place of supply to the domestic be achieved by increasing and industrial consumers. The supply security through reduced However, here we are amount of energy produced is reliance on imported energy primarily concerned with a vast amount by any standard (presently around €400bn per electrical energy. Global and has been increasing year), enhancing the electricity consumption is annually (e.g., in 1975 the competitiveness of UK & EU approximately 21.36 trillion kWh consumption was industry, as well as acting to (a CIA Fact Book estimate from approximately half of what it is address, somewhat, the global 2014 3), which is the equivalent now) and thus the production environmental challenges. of over 2 billion 1kW kettles of useful energy, its supply, and Action must follow to meet the boiling away, 24 hours a day, efficient end-use is a global demanding targets for 2020, 365 days per year – a grand challenge . This challenge 2030 and beyond, as agreed by tremendous amount of Earl is not only technical in nature, Grey to be consumed, one but there are also significant might say. It is interesting to economic and political issues to note the fact that over 45% of be tackled. It is of a global the global electricity energy nature, and it is multi-faceted. It demand is utilized by electric requires input from not only motor systems; according to academia, relevant industries, various reports such as the the financial sector, and trade Department for Business organizations, but also Innovation & Skills 4, the policymakers – there are many International Energy Agency 5 stakeholders, including the and Global Industry Analysts. public. Of course, there is no Inc 6. The analysis of which was easy solution, and it will be a taken on board by, and long road to securing a significantly influenced, a recent sustainable and economically report entitled “Technological viable energy infrastructure for Feasibility Studies for Super- and the future. One way to assist Ultra-Premium Efficient Motors” this endeavor is to generate an by an international working
Science in Parliament | Vol 74 No 1 | Spring 2018 7 group the International Council mechanical power is deployed. turn will allow us to halt, or at room for improvement in on Large Electric Systems Applications such as least slow down the rate of rise energy efficiency in this arena (CIGRE) 7. This report goes on to fans/blowers, mills, pumps and of the surface temperature of with great benefits to be claim that improving the energy conveyor belts on production the Earth considering the +2°C realized, if , energy efficiency conversion efficiency of industrial lines, to name but a few, are target. gains can readily be obtained. electric motors by 3% (which is commonplace and typically This same conclusion is Concerning the UK, some possible with technology operate 24 hours per day, 365 identified in the 2012 government work has already currently available), yields the days per year at thousands of Department of Energy & Climate identified this. Most recently, the potential to save over 350TWh geographical locations, with each Change independent report Department for Business, Energy (>100 nuclear power plants, of those locations (factories) “Capturing the full electricity & Industrial Strategy’s Digest of each rated at 1GW) of annual containing hundreds/thousands efficiency potential of the U.K.” United Kingdom Energy Statistics electricity demand. A staggering of electric motors. The annual compiled by McKinsey & Co to report in 2016 8 stated 26% of sum equating to a Carbon sales volume for electric motors accompany the “Electricity UK electricity use is in ‘industry’, Dioxide Equivalent (C0 E) of is in the billions. Not limited to Demand Reduction: 2 consuming 92GWh – the approximately 260 million metric the UK, or even Europe and the Consultation” on options to second largest consumer – tonnes, based on the United USA – the scope of the energy encourage permanent showing that this is a significant States Environmental Protection efficiency improvements reductions in electricity energy vector in the UK. An Agency methods. amongst industrial motor drive consumption 9. These studies earlier Department for Business, systems encompasses every published by significant The scale of the potential Innovation & Skills report from industrialized nation. international institutions in the savings is not surprising, 2011 states 4: UK, the EU and beyond perhaps, when we consider the Therefore, it is clear from these “Industrial electric motors constitute a compelling case for scale of industrial and studies that improvements in account for more than 60% of action on policy in this area. manufacturing activity in the UK industrial electric motor all [UK] electrical energy and Europe at large. In the efficiency represent a significant Following the recent consumption.” heavily industrialized regions opportunity to reduce global referendum vote for Brexit, the (e.g. the US and China et al .), energy demand and industrial This statement covers Durham Energy Institute at where just about all industrial operating expenditure on consumer goods (spinning Durham University (which has processes involve some form of electricity. Of course, this is microwaves and washing expertise in the technological rotary motion: this is where the inherently complemented by a machines, etc.) – it also challenges associated with “electric motor” converting fall in greenhouse-gas suggests that like the EU and increased efficiency of industrial electrical power into rotary emissions, as above – which in CIGRE et al ., that there is a vast motor drive systems), submitted
8 Science in Parliament | Vol 74 No 1 | Spring 2018 evidence 10 to the House of advancement in order to realize onwards). This conclusion is encourage the necessary Lords’ EU Energy and our long-term energy efficiency backed up by the author's work engineering research and 12 Environment Sub-Committee targets, assist with energy and recent analysis of a new development, both in industry report on Brexit: Energy security and sustainability, and type of motor technology to and academia, and the adoption Security 11 . The evidence stated; contribute to combating climate replace the traditional ‘induction of new energy efficient change. motor’. It is true to say that technology by traditionally “The UK government should, modern manufacturing and conservative industries. This post-Brexit, incorporate an The technical question is “How process intensive industries are innovation could save process- ambitious energy efficiency do we obtain the energy underpinned by Victorian intensive industries money while and energy demand reduction efficiency increase?” The motor technology. An innovative reducing energy demand and directives in to UK policy technology selection is of technology, well placed to assisting in combating climate framework, particularly in importance here but does not replace this Victorian change and improving energy security.
References 1. Energy Efficiency Financial Institutions Group, The Energy Efficiency De- risking Project http://eefig.eu/index.php/about-the- project
2. “Communication on ‘ Clean Energy For All Europeans’” , European Commission, 2016
3. CIA World Fact Book, Energy-World- Electricity Consumption https://www.cia.gov/library/publication s/the-world-factbook/geos/xx.html
4. “Power Electronics: A Strategy For Success”, Department for Business Innovation & Skills, 2011
5. Paul Waide, et al., “Energy Efficiency policy Opportunities for Electric Motor Drive Systems”, International Energy Agency, 2011
6. “Electric Motors - A Global Strategic Business Report MCP-182”, Global Industry Analysts. Inc, January 2015
7. Do-Hyun Kang, et al.,. “Technological Feasibility Studies For Super And Ultra Premium Efficient Motors” A1 Study Committee Working Group Report, heavy industry with an answer all the follow-up infrastructure is called CIGRE, 2017 emphasis on higher efficiency questions as one technical ’Synchronous Reluctance’, the 8. Digest of Energy Statistics (DUKES) electric motors. The UK should solution does not suit all – technical details are omitted 2016, Department for Business, seek to match or exceed the again, there is no simple answer. here, but it suffices to say that Energy & Industrial Strategy, 2016 EU legislation (existing and That said, the solution is to be an efficiency improvement of 2- 9. “Capturing the full electricity efficiency future) on this matter to found by considering a range of 4% (each motor) can be readily potential of the UK”, McKinsey & Co / Department of Energy & Climate ensure security of supply by engineering options such as obtained by its adoption. Hence, Change, 2012 reducing demand through the new and improved materials we must encourage motor and manufacturing techniques manufacturers, governments, 10. “Impact of Brexit on the UK energy adoption of new and system – A statement from Durham utilized in motor construction, appropriate technology.” academia and broader industry Energy Institute”, Durham Energy improved motor designs and to engage in an international Institute, Durham University, 2017 With this, the industrial electric choice of inherently more response to climate change by motor drive system market 11. “Brexit: energy security”, European efficient motor technologies. The tackling the energy efficiency of Union Committee, House of Lords, represents an area of framework of possibilities is industrial electric motor drive 2018 opportunity for the UK in Energy outlined in the CIGRE technical systems. The response must 12. Donaghy-Spargo, C. M., “Synchronous 7 Efficiency policy; it deserves feasibility report which encompass innovative energy Reluctance Motor Technology: further consideration and concludes that the 3% energy efficient electric motor Opportunities, Challenges and Future research regarding policy efficiency increase is possible in technologies coupled with a Direction”. Engineering & Technology Reference pp 1-15, 2016 frameworks and technological accelerated time frames (2020 relevant policy framework to
Science in Parliament | Vol 74 No 1 | Spring 2018 9 MAKING DATA WORK
The digital technology were in place when the data Digital photographs are a good platforms we use today are was collected and processed. example of where metadata implemented using open enhances the usability of data. People learn to adapt the standards. An open standard When you take a digital photo, information they disseminate is a set of rules for exchanging the camera adds additional automatically to their context. data and commands that is information to the image such For example, imagine you are in freely available for all to use. as the current date and time, Florida USA on holiday and an The open standards embedded your location and the setting of American asks you, in casual in the Internet enable disparate the camera. This additional conversation, where you live. computer systems to connect information is the metadata. A five year old may chant their and share data. The effect is Mandy Chessell CBE FREng address when asked where they Knowing where and when a that we can duplicate and Distinguished Engineer: IBM live, but as an adult we know photograph was taken makes it distribute data at an increasingly there are different ways to more useful. Photographs of fast pace. This means data answer, depending on the the same location can be We have a guilty secret. can be made available wherever context. In this first example, compared to show how the Digital technology has created and whenever it is needed. you may answer “In the UK”. location is changing over time. an instrumented and Faster processing platforms If asked the same question by Understanding the environment, interconnected world. The and advanced algorithms someone wishing to send you such as light-levels, and camera technology itself is advancing increase our ability to process something by post, you would settings when the photo was in speed and capacity. It is this growth in data, creating the give your postal address, and if taken helps photographers (and getting smaller and cheaper, potential for smarter standing in your street and programs) to learn what are the making it practical to embed infrastructure (such as our asked where you live by a new best settings for different network connected digital power and transport networks), neighbour, you may point and situations. Thus, with metadata, technology everywhere – from new businesses, more say “over there”. data becomes more useful. personal possessions, homes, advanced healthcare and better offices and public buildings to The data values we use The problem today is that use of natural resources. machinery, transport and the depend on the context in which most data does not have broader environment. The Despite these advances, many we are using it. Computers are metadata. The teams building result is that data is being organisations are struggling to more like 5-year olds. They digital services that use data collected about most aspects make effective use of data. At need explicit instructions. So, from many different sources of our daily lives and the the same time, the seemingly data needs to be labelled to often need to reconstruct the environment we live in. ubiquitous collection, linking and define which data to use in metadata for the data they are distribution of data from our which circumstance. using. This is time consuming and error prone.
Open data sites, such as https://data.gov.uk/ have invested in basic metadata, and so have some of the more experienced commercial data different daily activities is Once data is labelled, brokers. However, most data is creating concerns for individuals’ computer systems become still exchanged without privacy, safety and security. smarter because they are able metadata. These two issues seem to to use the right data for the right contradict one another, but in situation. The labelling should There are two main causes: fact they have a common cause. also indicate which data values missing open standards and a need special protection and lack of automation in metadata Peeling the layers back, what which data to use for each new management within our digital makes data difficult to consume digital service. This labelling is platforms. is that it typically flows without the fundamental underpinning It is not that there are no open context. of good governance. standards for metadata. In fact What do we mean by context? The technical term for the data there are thousands of them – This is the description of the labels is “metadata” – metadata but each covers a tiny scope situation and assumptions that simply means “data about data”. and they do not integrate
10 Science in Parliament | Vol 74 No 1 | Spring 2018 together to cover the breadth of taken, who was in the picture our digital economy can share • Adopting the open metadata, data needed for today’s digital and what was the situation? and use data effectively and and related governance world. There are also significant Some people did, making those responsibly. practices in government’s gaps in our open standards for photographs more valuable, but digital services and standards. Our aim is to create a set of metadata that make it harder to most did not. open standards that covers all of • Providing feedback on the establish trust to share and Digital photography changes the metadata and the development of the open consume data. this. Metadata capture is governance frameworks needed metadata standards so they Trust is more than security. embedded in the camera, it is for a data-driven enterprise. cover the needs of the UK Metadata needs to cover the managed automatically, and it is These standards stitch together digital economy. terms and conditions (license) stored in an open standard existing open standards like a • Providing encodings of the under which the data can be format. We can load our photos patchwork quilt and add the UK’s data regulations in the used, the requirements for its from different manufacturers’ missing standards for terms and governance, and the provenance cameras and mobile devices conditions, governance and open metadata standards so (origin and processing history) into a photo management app provenance. The Open Group that the interpretation of the of the data that enable a (application program). The is assisting with their expertise in regulation is clear and consumer to determine whether photo management app can establishing open standards. organisations can download they can trust the data they organise and manage our and use the encoding in the receive. These missing photographs because the Part of our group is open source reference standards mean that data metadata about the photos is implementing these standards in implementation of the open an Apache Software Foundation sharing agreements need to be always there and is in a standard standards (or any commercial (ASF)® open source project established on a case-by-case format. Individuals can product that implements the called Apache Atlas, so the basis through legal documents optionally enhance this open standards) to adopt reference implementation is free that then need to be encoded metadata to add information rapidly best practices in their for anyone to use. into the workings of the digital such as the names of any governance of data use. systems that will implement the people in the photograph and Finally, we are building a To understand more, these exchange of data. This process why it was taken. This consortium through the Open references may be useful: slows down the advance of the additional information becomes Data Platform Initiative (ODPi) digital economy and does not part of the photograph’s that has two goals. Firstly, to • In Data Management and make it any safer. It simply metadata and will be transferred create compliance test suites to Use: Governance in the impedes the progress of with the photograph when it is help data tool vendors to 21st Century the Royal organisations that wish to sent to someone else. become compliant in the Society and British behave responsibly and provides We need to change our digital standards, Secondly, to build a Academy describe the no impediment to the criminal platforms and practices to team of subject matter experts importance of the use of data. ensure all data has automated, willing to build encodings of governance of data use Establishing the right open standardized metadata regulations, industry specific and recommends the standards is step one. These embedded within it. This terminology and rules in the creation of a new, standards need to be requires work on the open open standards. Organisations independent body to embedded into our digital standards themselves, a focus can download and use them to steward the overall data platforms so that metadata on adoption within the bootstrap their adoption of good governance. The recent capture, management and use technology and the practice and compliance to establishment of the is automated. establishment of communities regulation. “Centre for Data Ethics and of practitioners that understand Automation brings accuracy How can parliament help? Innovation” reflects these the importance of metadata in and reliability to metadata Adoption is key and we need to learned societies call for a their use of data and capture in addition to speed. get the word out plus recruit stewardship body. It also embedding this best practice Humans, in general, are poor at people and organisations to the may be an organisation to into their professional work. consistently maintaining cause. In particular, parliament coordinate the adoption of metadata because it is a I am one of the leaders in an and the UK governance can open metadata standards repetitive task and the person international, multi-company help by: within the UK. making the effort does not group that includes IBM, ING • Publicising the importance of • In Open Metadata and immediately realise the benefit. Bank and Hortonworks. We metadata to the digital Governance details of the Think about traditional believe that metadata is so economy. Apache Atlas reference photography when photographs important that we need to implementation for open were printed on paper. How change the technology industry • Encouraging the use of open metadata standards are many people consistently wrote to ensure metadata is metadata standards in all provided. on the back of the photos ubiquitous, standardized and stages of data processing. where and when they where automated to a level that means
Science in Parliament | Vol 74 No 1 | Spring 2018 11 DATA IN REAL-LIFE CANCER THERAPY Data has been described as the fuel for the fourth industrial revolution. We’re generating data at an astonishing rate, and using it to drive decisions across every aspect of society – from transport to finance, the environment to healthcare. Big data – meaning not just huge volumes of data, but the complex integration of multiple data sources – has become a hot topic. But while the potential of Big Data seems almost limitless, it brings with it a new set of challenges that must be addressed if we are to use it to its full potential.
One field that is being as well as genomic data, CanSAR is driving wonderful Dr Bissan Al-Lazikani, Head of Data Science, The Institute of Cancer revolutionised by Big Data is structural data, images of cells, innovation in cancer research. Research, London cancer research. We are tissues and the whole body, We have used it to identify 46 generating incredible quantities chemical, pharmacological and previously overlooked but of complex and varied data radiotherapy data, and clinical potentially ‘druggable’ cancer about cancer as advances in notes. This resource is provided targets 3. CanSAR uses technology have made it faster by the ICR and Cancer Research sophisticated machine learning and cheaper to collect. At The UK free of charge, and to date and artificial intelligence to take Institute of Cancer Research, has been used by more than our current knowledge of what London, we believe that using 200,000 researchers in 175 makes a good drugs target and Big Data effectively will help us countries – helping to improve discovers a whole new range of meet the huge challenges in outcomes for patients all over possibilities. These properties improving cancer survival. By the world. 2 include simple characteristics sharing and integrating complex such as whether a protein’s datasets, we can identify new approaches for treating cancer, predict which treatments might most effectively be combined, or calculate a patient’s chances of responding to a treatment, or experiencing side-effects from it.
FINDING NEW DRUG TARGETS – DRUGGING THE ‘UNDRUGGABLE’ In 2011, I and my colleagues in the Cancer Research UK Cancer Therapeutics Unit at The Institute of Cancer Research (ICR) developed canSAR 1, the world’s largest and most intelligent database about cancer. Seven years later, canSAR contains more than 10 billion experimental measurements mapping the A network view of data from patients from the CHIIP trial (a radiotherapy actions of one million drugs and clinical trial run by the ICR), this data was used in the study described in the article (30 patients with single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), chemicals on human proteins, clinical variables and dose-volume histograms (DVH)).
12 Science in Parliament | Vol 74 No 1 | Spring 2018 applied to a range of other cancers.
WHAT DO WE NEED TO GET THE MOST OUT OF BIG DATA? These examples demonstrate how integration and analysis of Big Data can uncover information that could not be observed by working on smaller pools of data in isolation. But by its very definition, Big Data indicates a volume, complexity and diversity of data which challenges our current capabilities to analyse and handle. So how should we go about handling all this data in a way that makes it as useful as possible to cancer researchers?
The UK is waking up to the benefits of Big Data research. Projects involving Big Data and artificial intelligence are generating great interest – and funding – through the Government’s new industrial strategy 5 and Sir John Bell’s life- sciences industrial strategy 6. But there is still plenty that we need to do to capitalise on this A t-Distributed Stochastic Neighbour Embedding (t-SNE) visualisation of some CHHIP trial data where patients with a specific side effect are shown in orange and those without it are shown in blue (in this case the side effect is exciting new field. rectal bleeding) Perhaps the biggest challenge function can be ‘switched off’, to patient might be to the side- PREDICTING PATIENT in using Big Data is not so much more complex data like its effects. This means that some RESPONSES - INFORMING the volume of information, but atomic structure. Using canSAR, men are receiving too much PERSONALISED THERAPY the diversity of data types and we can then take this radiation, with its associated We can also use Big Data to sources that often need to be information and learn what a side-effects, while others are help direct choices about how brought together. Often, data good drug target looks like – given too little and so their to treat patients in the clinic. A collected in different and so in turn predict from lab chances of successful treatment recent study at the ICR applied organisations is recorded in data which targets seem most compromised. Our study Big Data analytics to information different formats that may not promising. highlighted a range of from more than 700 men given be compatible with each other. characteristics that were shared Of the 46 targets we identified, radiotherapy to treat their We need to ensure information amongst those men who 10 are now being investigated in prostate cancer. This included is collected and annotated in medical history, genetics, suffered side-effects, including drug discovery projects, two of clinical trials and routine radiotherapy dose and reported specific types of mutation in these at the ICR. Approaches treatment in a way that side-effects 4. their DNA. like this are allowing us to maximises the benefit to identify entirely new ways of My colleague Dr Navita With further validation, this patients. We need to establish fighting cancer, which will lead Somaiah and I used artificial information could be used to clearer protocols for collecting to step changes in outcomes for intelligence to highlight which create personalised treatment data and to educate clinicians patients. We currently only have information might predict plans for men with prostate and other staff, to drive changes drugs targeting 5 per cent of the sensitivity to the side-effects of cancer, adjusting doses to in the culture surrounding data 500 or so cancer-causing prostate radiotherapy. At the ensure patients receive an storage and exchange. In proteins in our bodies, so there moment, there is no way to effective amount of radiation instances where different data are a lot of untapped adjust doses of radiotherapy while minimising side-effects. It’s standards are required in possibilities left to explore. according to how sensitive a an approach that could also be different organisations, we need
Science in Parliament | Vol 74 No 1 | Spring 2018 13 to adapt data formats to make unnecessary, damaging to data across borders and ensure 3. Mishal N. Patel, Mark D. Halling-Brown, them as compatible as possible. research – and ultimately a diversity of people are Joseph E. Tym, Paul Workman, Bissan Al-Lazikani; Objective assessment of It will be essential to agree harmful to patients. working on society’s big cancer genes for drug discovery, common sense solutions both problems. Research organisations also Nature Reviews Drug Discovery 12, for now and the future. 35-50, 31 December 2012, need people with the right skills We are in the midst of a data http://dx.doi.org/10.1038/nrd3913 We also need to get the to deliver a Big Data approach. revolution and the potential for 4. https://www.icr.ac.uk/news- greatest possible benefit out of Big Data is a rapidly expanding beneficial change is huge. The archive/ncri-2017-big-data-analysis- the data that we collect from field. Because we are seeing hope is that if academic predicts-risk-of-radiotherapy-effects patients to maximise the impact such rapid technological organisations can work together 5. https://www.gov.uk/government/ of our research. Researchers change, higher education – with Government and uploads/system/uploads/attachment_ data/file/664563/industrial-strategy- must work together with patients institutions need to train people industry – Big Data can become white-paper-web-ready-version.pdf to ensure that research delivers with fundamental skills that will a central pillar of medical 6. https://www.gov.uk/government/ value to them. More allow them to adapt to future research, delivering significant uploads/system/uploads/attachment_ information needs to be changes, rather than in specific improvements in outcomes for data/file/650447/LifeSciencesIndustrial provided to both the public and technologies that risk becoming patients with cancer and many Strategy_acc2.pdf clinicians to enhance their out of date. We need training other diseases. understanding of the value of Big Data, of how data is stored and used, and the safeguards that exist to protect privacy and security.
Regulations must focus on how we use data, more than the precise prescription of processes for data collection and storage. We did not know five years ago what crucial medical questions can be answered with today’s technology, and today we cannot begin to predict what powerful medical insights future technologies would enable us to gain. This means we must have the foresight to collect broad enough data in an ambitious and responsible way to ensure that we do not artificially limit our ability to advance therapy in the future. That’s going to require new standards for gaining patient consent in a flexible, secure and traceable way so that data can be used in future – maximising the research we can do and its benefits for people with cancer. Focusing regulation on the use A t-SNE of genomic data from 2000 patients in 26 populations. of data also allows valuable data to be collected easily, and internship programmes to References maintained and used for public build the skills base in 1. Joseph E. Tym, Costas Mitsopoulos, good, while putting in place mathematics, statistics and Elizabeth A. Coker, Parisa Razaz, Amanda C. Schierz, Albert A. Antolin, strong safeguards to prevent and computer science, along with a Bissan Al-Lazikani; canSAR: an admonish its misuse. If systems relaxation of visa restrictions for updated cancer research and drug are in place to ensure data are people with skills relevant to Big discovery knowledgebase, Nucleic stored securely and traceably, Data. As with all medical Acids Research, Volume 44, Issue D1, 4 January 2016, Pages D938–D943, preventing data collection and research, Big Data requires an https://doi.org/10.1093/nar/gkv1030 international approach to share access out of fear of misuse is 2. https://cansar.icr.ac.uk/
14 Science in Parliament | Vol 74 No 1 | Spring 2018 DATA AS A RESOURCE: FOR WHAT? AND FOR WHOM? The role of the public in deciding
There are two sides to the the Sciencewise programme for often very unclear about the debate about the use of data by well over a decade. In this time, purpose they are to serve. As a government. More effective use the government has run over 50 result, many attempts to engage of data and data science will deliberative dialogue projects to the public try to educate people help the government to identify better understand what the about the issue and understand areas of acutest needs, and public thinks about a wide range what they think about it and better design more targeted of scientific innovations, and engage them actively in solving public services. More effective critically why they think this. specific issues while also use of data can also help to demonstrating that they are These dialogues have helped drive efficiency savings to the robust and demographically the government take into benefit of the economy overall. representative. Each of these account the social, ethical and purposes requires very different However, there are also moral perspectives of the public tools and techniques. The Simon Burall significant concerns about the as it has designed and delivered Senior Associate of Involve, resulting failure to have clarity of Programme Director of Sciencewise increasing use of data by the public policy including in a purpose means that little of government. The most obvious number of areas related to data value is achieved. relate to the impact on privacy such as developing ethical data and the extent to which the science projects, data openness Finally, far too many public is consenting to all of the and reuse by government, and engagement processes are ways its data is being used. the forensic use of DNA data. A commissioned very late in the There are also wider concerns. significant number of policy making process and give Some relate to questions about Sciencewise projects have had a the public very little time to the quality of the data that is direct impact on the resulting engage, find out more about the being used, and therefore the policy, helping to design specific issue and contribute accuracy of the conclusions that governance and regulation to effectively. Giving the public are being drawn. Others relate ensure that it meets the limited time to respond sends to the government’s capacity to concerns of the public. them the message that they use the growing mass of data aren’t important and neglects Experience shows though that, effectively. Finally, as data drives the fact that they can’t just drop while public engagement can service redesign and delivery work and family commitments bring significant benefits, it can there will be winners as well as to engage on the government’s also fail for a number of losers; there are risks that terms. If engaging the public is reasons. The most significant of increasing reliance on data critical, then making sure they these is that effective driven decisions will exacerbate have time to do so is equally engagement is too often seen to existing inequalities rather than important. be synonymous with convincing reduce them, for example. the public that the risks resulting The use of data in both the public and private sectors has As a result of the tensions and from the use of a technology the potential to impact across a trade-offs inherent in decisions have been mitigated. The ‘deficit wide range of public services. about whether or not to use model’, as it is called, roundly The government has limited data in particular cases, there is failed to convince consumers understanding of what the an urgent need to engage the that they should accept GM public considers acceptable in public in this wider set of crops. While consumers were terms of how their data is used. questions. concerned about safety, they It is critical that they are engaged also wanted to engage in The UK has extensive as an important factor in questions similar to the wider experience of engaging the determining the parameters of set of trade-offs I identify above public on complex, controversial such usage, and how bad in the debates about the use of issues relating to science and practice should be governed data. technology innovation. For and regulated, otherwise we risk example, the Department for A second reason that public a backlash similar to that Business, Energy & Industrial engagement often fails is that experienced in response to Strategy (BEIS) has supported government departments are genetic modification.
Science in Parliament | Vol 74 No 1 | Spring 2018 15 UNLOCKING THE MICROBIOME
Microbes are everywhere and and the public. In 2016 the USA detail the important functions of affect almost all aspects of our launched a National Microbiome the human microbiome, lives. We cannot see them, but Initiative; the European Union including its role in digestion our world would not function invested over €1.4 billion in and nutrition, and the protection without them. Bacteria, viruses, microbiome-related research it provides against pathogens. fungi, protists, archaea, algae between 2007 and 2015; and There is interest in how factors and other microscopic life forms UK Research Council BBSRC such as genetics, diet, antibiotics, are on us and in us, in the air, with other partners has invested and even birthing approaches soil and water, and in our food. in the £75 million Quadram affect the development of the They are in and on the surfaces Institute for Food and Health, microbiome from infancy to old of everything in our homes, which has the microbiome as a age. Links have been found workplaces and other focus. between changes in the microbiome and a variety of environments. Most do not Recognising the growing diseases including chronic harm us and many are essential interest in microbiomes, the respiratory conditions, obesity, for the good health of humans, Microbiology Society has inflammatory bowel diseases, animals and the planet. published a report - Unlocking antibiotic-resistant infections and Microbes help keep the planet the Microbiome . Informed in even mental health. healthy by recycling waste and consultation with a wide-range supplying nutrients. Agricultural of experts in the UK and While much more research is systems would not function Republic of Ireland, the report needed into these links, priority without some while others are makes 10 recommendations is being given by scientists and harmful pests. Industry uses about how scientists, decision- industry to target the Dr Paul Richards, Policy Manager microbial processes to produce makers, industry and other microbiome to develop novel and Roya Ziaie, Policy Officer, foodstuffs and drugs, benefiting stakeholders can collaborate to diagnostics, therapeutics to treat Microbiology Society society and creating wealth. progress microbiome research. and prevent disease, and Exploring and exploiting Yet microbiomes, including the microbiomes is a rapidly microbes and their genes, present largely unexplored emerging area of resources for better microbiological science understanding disease and and innovation. Dr Paul environmental processes, and discovering many more useful Richards and Roya Ziaie functions and compounds for in the Policy team at industry and biomedicine. the Microbiology Advances in technologies such as microbial genomics alongside Society explain how the approaches bringing together Society’s recently skills and knowledge across published policy report disciplines such as bioinformatics, microbiology and The Chair of the Society’s Microbiome Expert Working Group, Professor Unlocking the biochemistry are now enabling Julian Marchesi and other experts discuss recommendations made in the researchers around the world to Microbiology Society’s Unlocking the Microbiome report at a launch event Microbiome identifies held at the Royal Society in November. opportunities and better explore, understand and harness the diversity and Whether working on interventions and nutritional challenges of functions of microbiomes. This is microbiomes in humans, products to promote health. leading to new discoveries and livestock or soils, it is clear the microbiome research for Tackling the global challenge of helping tackle challenges such research community see antimicrobial drug-resistant health, agriculture and as antimicrobial resistance, food common opportunities and infections is one area of focus. security and sustainability. challenges. biotechnology. Scientists are exploring the Our growing knowledge of The human microbiome, potential to reduce antibiotic microbiomes is not just receiving particularly the gut microbiome, usage, for example, using attention from scientists, but has received the most attention. prebiotics and probiotics to also industry, funders, regulators, Scientists are now able to promote microbiome diversity and end-users such as clinicians investigate in much greater and functions that protect
16 Science in Parliament | Vol 74 No 1 | Spring 2018 against infection; and developing microbiomes with diet to reduce Building the scientific evidence Microbial Bioinformatics (MRC novel antimicrobial greenhouse gas emissions. base will be key to future CLIMB), providing free microbial biotechnologies such as translation of microbiome informatics storage and analysis Agricultural interest also bacteriophage to target drug- research. In health, more tools for UK microbiologists. extends to crops, with scientists resistant bacteria without research is needed on links building knowledge of soil and Similarly, developing best affecting the rest of the between the microbiome and plant microbiomes ultimately to practices and standards to microbiome. different diseases, using data inform farming practices and minimise variability between gathered from much larger Faecal Microbiota Transplant develop biotechnologies such as sampling, analysis and data numbers of people, both to (FMT) from healthy donors to biopesticides and biofertilisers to collection techniques is seen as assess if changes in the treat patients suffering from enable more sustainable essential for progressing microbiome are a contributing antibiotic-resistant Clostridium farming. Recognising this microbiome research, enabling cause and/or result of a disease, difficile infection is perhaps the potential, Centre for Agriculture high-quality, reproducible and and to identify underlying current main example of and Biosciences International comparative research across the biological mechanisms. Such microbiome research beginning (CABI) and Rothamsted community. knowledge will be vital to to be translated into the clinic. Research recently launched a identify targets for new therapies Our increasing knowledge of However, with FMT and other UK Plant Microbiome Initiative, and reliable biomarkers for microbiomes could have potential novel microbiome with a focus on building diagnostics. significant impacts and therapeutics and products, industry-academic links. Our implications for society. ongoing discussions are required report highlights the importance Scientists and other Scientists need to work with about regulation and clinical of building such links to progress stakeholders we consulted policy-makers, educators, governance all areas of microbiome research highlighted the need for journalists and the public to and translation. researchers to work with The potential role for the ensure that the potential of this industry, funders, learned microbiome in the development We also heard from scientists emerging science and societies and other stakeholders and treatment of some cancers hoping to use genomics and innovation is communicated to develop research skills, has also been gaining interest. approaches like synthetic biology accurately, people are enabled infrastructures and capabilities to Evidence that the gut to optimise microbiomes used to make informed decisions address microbiome knowledge microbiome can affect people’s in industrial biotechnology, such about medical interventions and gaps and opportunities. One responses to cancer treatments, as anaerobic digestion to products, and scientists are need identified was addressing has raised the possibility of produce bioenergy. always regarded as a trusted skills gaps such as in source of information. At the bioinformatics and microbiology. launch of our report, it was Increasing support for interesting to hear from interdisciplinary research researchers at the University of collaborations and knowledge Oxford who have been exchange at local, national and engaging members of the international level was another. public in microbiome research Decision-makers and scientists and exploring issues social increasingly recognise the need science can help address. for a ‘One Health’ approach spanning health, agri-food and Importantly, we want to see the environment to tackle action on some of the challenges such as antimicrobial recommendations we have resistance. The interface made. In 2018 we will be between these areas perhaps working with our community and other stakeholders to help Scientists and representatives from government and industry discuss presents some of the most opportunities and challenges for microbiome science at a workshop in exciting opportunities for future address some of the London. innovation, such as enhancing opportunities and challenges knowledge of microbiomes from they have identified and would modulating the microbiome to Microbiologists are investigating farm to fork to our guts to welcome hearing from anyone with an interest microbiome improve patient outcomes. largely unexplored microbiomes improve nutrition, health and science and microbiology more in oceans and other food safety and quality. Like research on the human generally. microbiome, there is a growing environments for useful Improving sharing and access Unlocking the focus on building knowledge of microbes and microbial genes to data and resources will also The Society’s Microbiome report and livestock microbiomes with a that could be used for industry, be vital to ensure researchers view to improve animal health can access well-maintained and related policy briefings are medicine and bioremediation of and productivity and reduce accurate datasets and biobanks. available at: pollution, and to better transmission of foodborne A positive example highlighted www.microbiologysociety.org disease. There is even the understand the impact of to us was the Medical Research /microbiome. potential to modulate rumen climate change. Council’s Cloud Infrastructure for
Science in Parliament | Vol 74 No 1 | Spring 2018 17 A YEAR TO INSPIRE THE ENGINEERS OF TOMORROW Government and industry are joining forces in 2018 to tackle the But outdated perceptions about jobs in the profession, engineering skills gap – and MPs can play a vital role in bringing and who these jobs are for, the profession to life for young people across the UK. means that the UK faces a Jo Parry, Head of Year of Engineering Communications major shortage of engineers – and a challenge in encouraging young people to consider engineering careers.
Research from Engineering UK has found that only one in three parents knows what people in engineering do, and in 2017 it was estimated that the industry would need 186,000 skilled recruits each year to 2024. Ensuring we have the right skills to build a thriving economy is at the heart of the Government’s Industrial Strategy – and engineering makes a major contribution to the UK economy, accounting for 26% of our GDP.
Tackling this skills gap also means addressing the Transport Secretary Chris Grayling, Education Minister Anne Milton and HMG Envoy for the Year of Engineering profession’s poor record on Stephen Metcalfe MP meet engineering apprentices at the Skills Show in Birmingham.
Engineering is an integral part of all our lives, from the warmth and light in our homes, to how we work, travel and keep in touch. With investment in major infrastructure, medical and environmental challenges to solve, and ground-breaking new technology, the vital role engineering plays in industry and society is here to stay.
Against this backdrop, the opportunities in engineering for today’s young people are vast. The profession offers not only a secure and well-paid career but – perhaps more importantly for those considering their next move – the chance to be creative, innovative and to shape the future of the world around Launching the campaign at an engineering workshop at Sharples School in Bolton with HMG Envoy for the Year them. of Engineering Stephen Metcalfe MP and Remap, a charity that uses engineering to help people with disabilities.
18 Science in Parliament | Vol 74 No 1 | Spring 2018 diversity – the engineering MPs have a crucial role to play take part in open doors events By championing engineering workforce is 91% male and in ensuring schools, colleges for schools and families. role models and bringing young 94% white. and businesses across the UK people face to face with MPs have been fulfilling this engineering opportunities, we To begin the task of closing seize the opportunity to inspire commitment across the UK, can send a clear message that this gap and widening the pool the next generation of from Fareham MP Suella engineering careers are a of young people who consider engineers. Fernandez meeting engineering chance for all young people, engineering careers, government apprentices to Banbury MP “The value of engineering regardless of gender, ethnicity or has joined forces with more Victoria Prentice working with skills is frequently social background, to have a real than 1,000 industry partners to local schools to highlight underestimated, outdated impact on the lives of those make 2018 the Year of engineering courses available at perceptions of the profession around them. Engineering. The campaign aims nearby colleges. Wiltshire MP are still widespread, and the to transform perceptions of Michelle Donelan organised an To find out more about the industry continues to suffer engineering and give young engineering festival which Year of Engineering, including from a lack of diversity in its people across the UK a million brought 3,000 schoolchildren resources for partners and workforce. direct and inspiring experiences face to face with local supporters, visit the website. You of the profession – whether The Year of Engineering aims employers. can also follow the campaign on that’s through the chance to to tackle these challenges, so Twitter and Instagram.
Schoolchildren meeting engineers at an Inspiring the Future event Transport Minister Jesse Norman with members of the First Lego League organised by Year of Engineering partner Education and Employers at the Parliamentary Launch of the Year of Engineering meet an engineer at their it’s vital that the campaign is school, a behind the scenes championed across TACKLING THE SKILLS GAP – HOW MPS CAN tour or an interactive workshop government, parliament and SUPPORT THE YEAR OF ENGINEERING or challenge. industry. • Contact engineering employers in your constituency to find out how you can support their involvement in the campaign. Throughout the year, the We know how much campaign is highlighting the enthusiasm there is in all parts • Connect schools with local businesses, colleges and role that engineering plays in of the profession to encourage universities which could provide inspiring speakers or activities everything from sport and engineers of the future. We for their students. special effects to social care, want this campaign to unite • Organise an event to celebrate engineering achievements and with inspiring activities being those ambitions, and pledges of opportunities in your constituency. delivered by partners including support from my fellow MPs Airbus, BAE Systems, the BBC, will be vital in helping to drive • Engage with local media to raise awareness of the campaign Ocado, Usborne, Siemens and this across the country.” and help transform perceptions of engineering among parents Shell. and teachers. At an event in Parliament last In November, former Chair of December more than 30 MPs • Share your support on social media, using the hashtags #YoE the Science and Technology committed to supporting the and #inspireanengineer Committee Stephen Metcalfe campaign in their constituencies. For more information and advice on how you can support MP was appointed HM Pledges included connecting the campaign, please contact the team via Government Envoy for the Year schools with local employers [email protected]. of Engineering. He explains why and encouraging businesses to
Science in Parliament | Vol 74 No 1 | Spring 2018 19 VOICE OF THE FUTURE 2018 Students and young scientists put MPs and Ministers in the hot seat at this year's Voice of the Future on Tuesday 13th March in the House of Commons. It was a select committee with a difference: a role reversal. Its ‘Members’ were scientists and engineers and most of its ‘witnesses’ were MPs.
Newly-appointed science minister Sam Gyimah MP and a range of other political figures were quizzed on topics as diverse as fake news, artificial intelligence (AI), plastic waste, gene-editing, self-driving vehicles and mental health in academia, as part of the annual Voice of the Future event which is organised by the Royal Society of Biology on behalf of the science and engineering community (www.rsb.org.uk/VOF).
The event gives students and early-career scientists, Welcome: Rt Hon John Bercow MP representing over a dozen “Our success in science is in careers was part of the wider science organisations and part predicated on having the problem of a lack of workers’ several schools, the chance to best minds collaborate and work rights in the UK and that the scrutinise politicians and their together. We are under no area is a priority for Labour advisors in a House of illusions that to retain our world- campaigns. Commons committee room. leading position in research and Further panel debates involved Gyimah, who was recently innovation we need the best members of the Science and appointed Minister for minds to come here, freely.” Technology Select Committee Universities, Science, Research Later, Gyimah ruled out and the director of the and Innovation in January, took regulation targeted specifically at Government Office for Science, a range of challenging questions gene-edited crops, and said that Dr Rupert Lewis, who explained on the underrepresentation of the Government’s ambition to how the Government receives women in science and, of Panel 1: Sam Gyimah MP, Minister raise science spending to 2.4% and acts on scientific advice. course, how the government of State for Universities, Science, of GDP by 2027 would be “a Research and Innovation would ensure Brexit did not As well as immigration, game-changer” that attracts have a negative effect on UK diversity was a recurring theme more people to science. science. among the young and early Chi Onwurah MP, Shadow career scientists’ questions, with In response he set out a Minister for Industrial Strategy, many asking what the number of measures that the Science & Innovation, said the government is doing to support government had announced to Labour Party would raise scientific careers for women and help EU citizens get visas to spending on science to 3% of those from BME and lower study and work here, and said GDP and would have socioeconomic communities. the government would take immediately guaranteed the advice from the Independent The two schools involved – rights of EU citizens post- Advisory Committee on Queens Park Community School referendum in order to help Migration to further mitigate and Wallington High Schools for keep close ties with the EU. against a potential drain of non- Girls – said their A level science Panel 2: Chi Onwurah MP, Shadow UK talent. She also commented that the students had found the Minister for Business, Energy and lack of security in academic experience hugely valuable as Industrial Strategy
20 Science in Parliament | Vol 74 No 1 | Spring 2018 did all those older scientists and engineers drawn from the UK’s leading scientific organisations including the Royal Society, the Royal Academy of Engineering, the Royal Society of Biology, the Institute of Physics, the Council for the Mathematical Sciences, the Royal Society of Chemistry, the Open University and many more.
Broadcast live on Parliament.TV, this year’s Voice of the Future discussion generated enough interest online that once again the event’s hashtag, #VOF2018, was trending locally on Twitter.
Panel 3: Science & Technology Select Committee colleagues: Stephen Metcalfe MP, Carol Monaghan MP, Martin Whitfield MP
Panel 4: Dr Rupert Lewis, Director, Government Office for Science
Science in Parliament | Vol 74 No 1 | Spring 2018 21 RADIOTHERAPY - CANCER TREATMENT OF THE FUTURE As the science of radiotherapy advances, how can we keep patient quality of life at the heart of the service? Previously in Science in Parliament the authors introduced radiotherapy, from its initial inception to state of the art developments 1. Radiotherapy is the treatment of solid cancers with radiation. Given its utilisation of technology and the rapid pace of development, radiotherapy delivery is subject to constant evolution. Since the previous article, cancer treatment has gone through marked changes in England. We present the developments and some of the accompanying challenges.
To recap, intensity modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) is an Dr Alexandra Stewart Chair British Institute of Radiology advanced radiotherapy External Affairs Committee technique which allows an Clinical Lead for Oncology, Royal Surrey County Hospital increased dose to be delivered to a cancer and surrounding areas at risk whilst decreasing doses delivered to surrounding normal tissues.
IMRT can be ‘forward planned’ or ‘inverse planned’. Forward planning uses modifications to standard treatment fields to define, rapidly a radiotherapy dose distribution but in a more sophisticated manner. Inverse Fused axial PET CT image showing a focus of cancer within the spinal planning utilises more algorithm column
Professor Andy Beavis Past Chair British Institute of Radiology Radiation Physics and Dosimetry Special Interest Group Head of Radiation Physics/Consultant Queen’s Centre for Oncology and Haematology Castle Hill Hospital, Hull
Radiotherapy plan showing a stereotactic radiotherapy field highly conformed to the spine with minimal dose to surrounding normal tissues (normal bowel outlined with thin orange line, radiotherapy target of vertebral body outlined with thin red line, colourwash demonstrates where radiotherapy dose will be delivered.)
22 Science in Parliament | Vol 74 No 1 | Spring 2018 based planning using a longer, this level is sustained. The data However, patients have to travel benefit over that expected from more complex technique to set shows that out of 54 English long distances and stay away conventional or IMRT sculpt the radiation dose and NHS departments only 2 do not from home for long periods, radiotherapy. Private providers further improve dose delivery. achieve the 24% level, however often with accompanying family are also building proton we believe this is due to members. radiotherapy centres in the UK Treatments are planned, regional arrangements meaning and at this time three are under delivered and verified using an In 2012, Department of Health that patients requiring IMRT are construction with others having array of medical imaging approval was given for two treated at the ‘hub’ centre with been announced. modalities and equipment in national proton centres to be ‘simpler’ radiotherapy delivered order to ensure accuracy and developed. Treasury approval The picture (top right next at smaller local centres. 35 precision. Contemporary was given in 2015 for two page) shows a comparison of centres reported more than techniques are referred to as facilities to be built at a cost of an X-ray IMRT delivery on the 40% usage and 5 more than Image Guided IMRT or IG-IMRT. £250 million in Manchester left and a Proton delivery on the 50%. Stereotactic radiotherapy takes (Christie) and London (UCLH). right. The overlaid colours the IMRT and delivers a highly The actual use of inverse These projects are progressing represent the delivered radiation focused dose in a small number planned IMRT is potentially even well. The Manchester centre has dose. The underlying grey is the of treatments. higher than the statistics suggest had the key equipment installed Computerised Tomography (CT) given that centres are and is set for first clinical image representing the patient’s THE STATE OF THE discouraged from coding breast treatments by the end of brain and eyes. Both treatments NATION – IMRT. treatments as planned and summer 2018 with a view to be are designed to treat the cancer The Radiotherapy Innovation delivered using ‘inverse running at full capacity by 2020. that is present in the area Fund 2 (RIF) in 2012/13 aimed planning’. Whereas the more to bring the percentage of expensive technology may not patients treated with advanced be considered necessary for radiotherapy techniques with these treatments, the planning curative intent to a minimum of process can be more efficient 24% in each centre. This and may utilise staffing aspirational level arose from a resources to best effect. 2009 National Radiotherapy Implementation Group THE STATE OF THE publication that gave guidance NATION – PROTON on the number of patients likely CENTRES to benefit from IMRT. It stated Conventional radiotherapy is that 24% of patients should delivered using X-rays. Protons receive ‘inverse planned IMRT’, are heavy nuclear particles with the maximum benefit of which can deliver radiotherapy the available planning/treatment treatment but have a more and delivery design technology. defined range of delivery so do not travel as far past the target A further 9% (breast area as X-rays do. This offers treatments) should receive further advantages to add to the ‘forward planned IMRT’ where arsenal in the war on cancer; benefits are still delivered but however, equipment and realised with ‘cheaper resources’. facilities are typically significantly During 2011/2012 the more expensive than those for average level of IMRT across X-ray radiotherapy. Whereas England was reported as 6.8%, IMRT is arguably the ultimate X- almost doubling by August 2012 ray radiotherapy approach, to 13.6%, with large disparity proton radiotherapy can further between centres. By April 2013 reduce the risk of side effects. One of the treatment gantries under installation at the Christie Proton the immediate impact of RIF This feature is particularly useful facility in Manchester (picture courtesy of Prof Ranald Mackay.) was seen in an increase of in the treatment of children who The London centre is expected coloured in red/yellow (high average IMRT use to 22.3%. will enjoy, hopefully, a long life to be treating patients by the dose). The low dose areas are From the Radiotherapy Data Set post radiotherapy, the quality of middle of 2020. The NHS- coloured blue and the grey information (available via the which could be reduced by any supported national centres will areas are receiving extremely CancerStats website) use of side effects. Since 2008 a be commissioned to treat 1500 low radiation dose levels. IMRT almost doubled again to proton service, via an overseas patients a year against an Clearly the Proton plan gives 42.1% by March 2017 and data referral programme, has been agreed referral guideline of much less dose to the brain and at the time of writing suggests available for NHS patients. treatments that deliver tangible in the case of a child will reduce
Science in Parliament | Vol 74 No 1 | Spring 2018 23 the risk of developmental issues as the child grows into adulthood.
THE CHALLENGES Whereas technical radiotherapy skills and experience are developing in the large majority of centres, one of the remaining limiting factors is the dearth of trained clinicians (Clinical Oncologists). One view, as radiotherapy becomes more complex, is to centralise specialist services to better utilise the staffing resources Comparison of an X-ray IMRT plan and a proton plan for the same patient. available. On the positive side this concentrates expertise in a provide or share clinical and For example, a form of highly costs of treatment in individual small number of centres and technical leadership to reduce localised radiotherapy in low centres cannot be under- maintains quality by ensuring ‘postcode lottery’ or the need for bowel cancer called the Papillon estimated but it is important not high patient numbers, it also patients to travel long distances technique can be used to avoid to centralise specialised services decreases costs associated with each day. This approach is a lifelong colostomy bag in to such an extent that patients expensive machinery. However, currently being promoted as a suitable patients. This comes at do not choose the optimal it can result in patients having to way to modernise the national the cost of a slightly higher local radiotherapy technique because travel long distances for radiotherapy service. To facilitate recurrence rate but with overall of logistical reasons. As we treatment, often in patients who effective networking of expertise survival rates appearing to equal develop radiotherapy services were selected for radiotherapy and clinical governance better IT that of surgery even in those we must keep the patient at the because they were frail or unfit. networking throughout the who experience local tumour heart of our decision making Recently a superior and more regions is needed and the regrowth. Many patients will and ensure that focus is expensive stereotactic senior leadership from each accept that higher risk of maintained on the patient’s life radiotherapy service for lung centre will be required to spend regrowth and choose this after treatment and not just patients was commissioned in a time meeting with peers in the approach to try to improve their curing the cancer. small number of centres. This other departments. Ideally, this long-term quality of life. Many meant that patients were asked would be supported by surgeons would rather offer the to travel away from local centres References: appropriate funding to backfill treatment with the highest many of which had the 1. Stewart A, Beavis A. Radiotherapy-The the loss of clinical time; however chances of cure but the equipment and capability to state of the nation. Science in given the overall economic paternalistic era of medicine has Parliament . 2014;71(4):18-19. provide the cheaper treatment. challenges this is not currently passed and patients are now Experience indicated that some 2. The Radiotherapy Innovation Fund. An under consideration. becoming increasingly informed evaluation of the Prime Minister's £23 refused this superior treatment about their treatment choices million Fund. as they did not wish to or were https://www.cancerresearchuk.org/site THE CHALLENGE OF and assessing their own choice not fit to travel long distances. It RADIOTHERAPY s/default/files/policy-radiotherapy- of risk and benefit. We have to innovation-fund.pdf could be argued that stereotactic As we are keeping more be able to find ways to deliver radiotherapy is just a complex patients alive for longer using the information to our patients form of IMRT that centres advanced radiotherapy that helps them make these delivering IMRT are capable of techniques we must place choices and ways to collect learning. Decreasing the number increased focus on survivorship. outcomes from patients based of centres delivering it just It is not enough to deliver not only on cure or relapse but disadvantages patients and curative treatment; we must also also on the impact of treatment delays the development of examine the impacts of that on life. specialised radiotherapy treatment on a patient’s ability nationally. The number of to work, have a family and In conclusion we are moving centres commissioned to maintain a quality of life. We towards a more modern and provide the stereotactic service must ensure that treatment safer radiotherapy service in the has now been increased. options are offered to a patient UK with enthusiasm to embrace An alternative view is that that take into account long-term technology and improve cancer networking of centres to create function as well as chance of outcomes. The impact of regional collaboration could cure. technology development on the
24 Science in Parliament | Vol 74 No 1 | Spring 2018 HOUSE OF COMMONS LIBRARY
The Science and Environment Section (SES) is one of eight We have also published, and continue to update, briefings on teams in the Research Service in the House of Commons issues such as the Nuclear Safeguards Bill, Energy Price Cap Bill, Library. The Library provides confidential, impartial and Organ Donation Bill (a Private Member’s Bill), Animal Sentience, Air bespoke briefing to Members of the House of Commons and Quality and Brexit and Medicines. Over the rest of the session you their offices on a daily basis supporting the full range of can watch out for our briefings on future Bills on Agriculture and parliamentary work, from policy development to constituency Fisheries, as well as more work in the coming months on a range issues. We also produce a series of briefing papers on topical of topical issues such as Electricity Grids, Tidal Lagoons, Obesity, issues, published on the internet and available in hard copy Microplastics and Bees. around the Parliamentary Estate. We would be pleased to hear from anyone who wants to know The Library continues to produce material around the debate on more about how the Library works or how we can help with Brexit. For example we have produced briefings on the Withdrawal Parliamentary duties. Please contact Ed Potton Bill and issues that have arisen as it has progressed through ([email protected]) in the first instance. If you want to keep Parliament. In the last few months we have also published briefings up to date with what we are up to, you can follow us on specific issues such as Brexit and the Environment, Brexit: UK @CommonsLibrary or visit www.commonslibrary.parliament.uk. Agriculture Policy and Euratom.
PARLIAMENTARY OFFICE OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY (POST)
NEWS FROM POST BRIEFINGS The POST team has seen a number of changes this spring: Acting The following briefings have been published since mid-November: Director Dr Chandrika Nath has been appointed Director of the Decarbonising the Gas Network Scientific Committee on Antarctic Research and will be leaving November 2017 POSTnote 565 POST in May. Communications Manager Naomi Stewart left in January to become a Communications Officer at London School of The burning of natural gas for heating contributes 14% of the UK’s Hygiene and Tropical Medicine and Lef Apostolakis, a freelance greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. Decarbonising, or reducing the science writer, has been appointed as a replacement. Dr Lorna carbon content of the UK gas supply is one option for reducing the Christie was appointed as a Physical Sciences Adviser in POST in emissions from heating. This POSTnote looks at the contribution January. that two alternative gases, hydrogen and biomethane, could make in achieving this goal. Representatives from the House of Commons are still being appointed to the POST Board. In the interim, we continue to be Environmental Earth Observation represented by our acting chair Adam Afriyie MP, with the support November 2017 POSTnote 566 of the vice-chair Lord Winston and members from the House of Earth observation (EO) is the process of gathering information Lords, alongside external members. about the Earth from a range of sensors to provide monitoring data At the January POST Board meeting topics chosen for future at a range of scales. This POSTnote outlines some of the publication were: environmental uses and benefits of EO data, the potential opportunities from advances in relevant technologies and • Reducing antibiotic use in UK agriculture challenges facing the effective use of EO data. • Small modular nuclear reactors Regulating Advanced Therapies • Biometrics November 2017 POSTnote 567
• Approaches to dealing with stalking and harassment Advanced Therapy Medicinal Products (ATMPs) are complex biological medicines which promise to transform the treatment of • Developing non-academic skills for the future labour market many diseases. There is debate as to how the development of
Science in Parliament | Vol 74 No 1 | Spring 2018 25 ATMPs is affected by various factors including EU regulation and The Ageing Process and Health affordability. This POSTnote discusses ATMP development and February 2018 POSTnote 571 regulation, and how this might change after Brexit. Biological ageing results from the accumulation of damage within Science Diplomacy cells, leading to a loss of function and, ultimately, cell death. The January 2018 POSTnote 568 underlying mechanisms of ageing are also risk factors in the onset of frailty, disability and long-term diseases. This POST note Science diplomacy refers both to the role scientific research examines the biological basis of ageing, the potential to manipulate activities can play in fostering positive international relations and to the ageing process and to use such knowledge to promote better the use of diplomacy to support international science. It can be health later in life. used in many ways, for example to promote national interests, address cross-border issues or tackle global challenges. This note UK Fisheries Management outlines how science diplomacy is interpreted, the institutions and February 2018 POSTnote 572 mechanisms through which it is conducted and current efforts to Following EU withdrawal the UK will have full responsibility for understand how it works. The note also considers the role science fisheries policy and management within its waters. This POSTnote diplomacy could play post-Brexit as the UK maintains relationships summarises the science used to inform management, current with the EU while cultivating new ones further afield. approaches to EU fisheries, and challenges and opportunities for Overseas Electricity Interconnection future UK fisheries management January 2018 POSTnote 569 EVENTS Electricity markets in the UK, Ireland and continental Europe are In February, POST hosted an event, chaired by Holly Lynch MP, physically linked by ‘interconnector’ cables. These benefit energy which brought together leading academics and industry system operators and consumers by reducing prices. They can also stakeholders to discuss the science used in underpinning fisheries help integrate renewable electricity and ensure security of supply. management and the opportunities and challenges ahead for This note discusses these benefits, proposals for future increases in fisheries management in the UK. We also held a meeting that interconnection and the potential effects of Brexit. brought together representatives from the Higher Education Parental Alcohol Misuse and Children Funding Council, Chairs of the four main subject panels for the next February 2018 POSTnote 570 REF exercise and senior staff from across Parliament to inform the assessment framework for the next REF exercise – REF2021 – and Multiple studies on parental alcohol misuse show it has significant ensure that parliamentary understandings and experience of impact negative effects on children’s physical and mental well-being. Such feeds into next REF assessment exercise. effects can be experienced over the short- and long-term, and can continue throughout life. In March, POST’s social science advisers held a one-day training programme at Nottingham Trent University aimed at academics This POSTnote outlines what is known about the prevalence of PAM and relevant staff from universities that have been shown to in the UK, and reviews evidence about its effects. It also describes engage less with Parliament. services available for affected children.
HOUSE OF COMMONS SELECT COMMITTEES APRIL 2018
Details of Committees and Inquiries with relevance to Parliamentary and Scientific Committee Members are shown below. Further details of membership of House of Commons Select Committees and their inquiries can be found at http://www.parliament.uk/business/committees/
BUSINESS, ENERGY AND INDUSTRIAL STRATEGY RELEVANT INQUIRIES: COMMITTEE Clean Growth Strategy – Inquiry announced 27 November 2017 The Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy Committee is The Clean Growth Strategy, published in October 2017, outlines appointed by the House of Commons to examine the how the Government expects the UK to meet its target of cutting administration, expenditure and policy of the Department for emissions by 80% by 2050, while talks at COP23 in Germany Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) and its associated were aimed at clarifying issues around the Paris Agreement which public bodies. commits countries to the goal of limiting the global rise in The BEIS Committee is chaired by Rachel Reeves MP. temperature by 1.5 C. MPs are likely to question the Minister on Government support for renewable energy, as well as how the UK Contact: Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy Committee, House will meet its emission reduction target. The Committee is also of Commons, London SW1A 0AA Telephone: 020 7219 5777 expected to ask about progress made in implementing the Paris Email: [email protected]
26 Science in Parliament | Vol 74 No 1 | Spring 2018 Agreement and the UK’s role in UN climate change negotiations ENVIRONMENTAL AUDIT COMMITTEE post-Brexit. Oral evidence is currently ongoing. The remit of the Environmental Audit Committee is to consider the Electric vehicles: developing the market and infrastructure - extent to which the policies and programmes of government Inquiry announced 21 September 2017 departments and non-departmental public bodies contribute to environmental protection and sustainable development, and to Inquiry into electric vehicles, the challenges they represent for the audit their performance against sustainable development and energy infrastructure and the actions needed to support the environmental protection targets. Unlike most select committees, development of this market. This inquiry builds on the written the Committee’s remit cuts across government rather than focuses evidence received for the former BEIS Committee's inquiry Electric on the work of a particular department. Vehicles: Developing the Market, which was interrupted by the General Election. This new inquiry brings an added focus to the The Chair of the Environmental Audit Select Committee is Mary challenges electric vehicles create for the electricity grid and energy Creagh MP. infrastructure and builds on the previous Electric Vehicles: Contact: Environmental Audit Committee, House of Commons, Developing the Market inquiry. London SW1A 0AA Telephone: 020 7219 5776 Email: Brexit and the implications for UK business - Inquiry announced [email protected] 19 September 2017 RELEVANT INQUIRIES: Inquiry into the effects of leaving the EU on British business 25-Year Environment Plan – Inquiry announced 31 January 2018 composed of five sub-inquiries. The Committee aims to establish The Government published its long-awaited 25-Year Plan for the how the interests of different sectors should best be pursued both Environment on 11 January 2018. The Committee’s inquiry will in the negotiating process and post-Brexit and attempts to examine examine key decisions around the Plan’s overall ambition and a range of issues relating to market access, non-tariff barriers, approach. The Committee are currently accepting written regulation, skills, R&D, trade opportunities and transitional submissions arrangements. Sub-inquiries are considering the following sectors: The Changing Artic – Inquiry announced 7 March 2018 • Civil Nuclear • Automotive The Environmental Audit Committee has launched an inquiry into • Aerospace the rapid changes in the Arctic. The Arctic is undergoing profound • Processed food and drink changes as a result of climate change. It is warming almost twice as fast as the global average. Recent research also suggests • Pharmaceuticals microplastic and plastic pollution is an increasing problem. This inquiry will assess the Government’s Arctic policy, and whether the EDUCATION COMMITTEE UK, as one of the Arctic’s nearest neighbours, should be doing The Education Committee monitors the policy, administration and more to protect this vulnerable region. The deadline for written spending of the Department for Education and its associated arms submissions is 16 May 2018. length bodies, including Ofsted. The Committee is an investigative Nitrates - Inquiry announced 08 December 2017 Committee rather than a legislative Committee: it sets its own programme and chooses subjects for inquiries. Environmental Audit Committee is calling for evidence on the scale of the nitrate pollution in the UK and the solutions the UK The Committee's Chair is Rt Hon. Robert Halfon MP. government should implement. The Committee is currently Contact: Education Committee, House of Commons, London SW1A accepting written evidence. 0AA Telephone: 020 7219 1376 Email: [email protected] The Future of Chemicals Regulation after the EU Referendum - Inquiry announced 29 September 2017 ENVIRONMENT, FOOD AND RURAL AFFAIRS Environmental Audit Committee is seeking views on the COMMITTEE Government’s response to the former Committee's report on The The Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee (EFRA) is Future of Chemicals Regulation after the EU Referendum and the appointed by the House of Commons to examine the expenditure, section on chemicals in the Delegated Powers Memorandum administration and policy of the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) and its associated public bodies. The UK progress on reducing F-Gas emissions - Inquiry announced Committee chooses its own subjects of inquiry on environmental, 13 October 2017 agricultural subjects. Environmental Audit Committee inquiry into the UK’s progress on reducing fluorinated gas (F-gas) emissions and the impact leaving Following the 2017 General Election, Neil Parish MP was re-elected the EU will have on progress and reporting on reducing these as Chair of the EFRA Committee. harmful greenhouse gases in the future Contact: Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Select Committee House of Commons, London, SW1A 0AA Telephone: 020 7219 EXITING THE EUROPEAN UNION COMMITTEE 7341 Email: [email protected] The Exiting the European Union Committee is appointed by the House of Commons to examine the expenditure, administration and
Science in Parliament | Vol 74 No 1 | Spring 2018 27 policy of the Department for Exiting the European Union and Flu Vaccination Programme - Inquiry announced 1 March 2018 matters falling within the responsibilities of associated public bodies. The Science and Technology Committee has examined the Following nominations and elections among MPs, Hilary Benn was planning for the flu vaccination programme, how advice is re-elected Chair of the committee for the 2017 Parliament. formulated, and cost-effectiveness issues are addressed, the reasons for different types of vaccines for different groups of the HEALTH COMMITTEE population, the effectiveness and take-up of the vaccination programme, and any plans for adjustments for the next flu season The Health Committee is appointed by the House of Commons to in terms of the vaccines uses and groups targeted. examine the policy, administration and expenditure of the Department of Health and its associated bodies The Committee Impact of social media and screen-use on young people’s chooses its own subjects of inquiry. health - Inquiry launched 21 February 2018
Dr Sarah Wollaston has been re-elected as Chair of the Health The Science and Technology Committee has launched an inquiry Committee for the 2017 Parliament. into the impact of social media and screen-use on young people’s health. The Committee is welcoming the perspectives and Contact: Health Committee, House of Commons, London SW1A experiences, and details of any initiatives taken, by children, schools 0AA Telephone: 020 7219 6182 Email: [email protected] and youth organisations. Deadline for submissions 6 April 2018. RELEVANT INQUIRY: Quantum technologies – Inquiry announced 8 February 2018 Brexit – medicines, medical devices and substances of human Quantum technologies have been selected by the Government as origin - Inquiry announced 21 September 2017 one of fourteen ‘core industrial challenges’ to be tackled through its Health Committee inquiry into arrangements post-Brexit to Industrial Strategy Challenge Fund. The Industrial Strategy itself guarantee supply of medicines, devices, and products. The report announced that the quantum technology sector will be allocated for this Inquiry has been published and the Committee is awaiting £20m of ‘pioneer funding’ and be the subject of a minister-led the Government’s response. review. This follows the establishment of the National Quantum Technologies Programme in 2013, and a Government Office for SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY COMMITTEE Science report on quantum technologies in 2016. This inquiry will The Science and Technology Committee exists to ensure that address the opportunities and challenges for quantum technologies. Government policy and decision-making are based on good The deadline for submissions in 29 March 2018. scientific and engineering advice and evidence The Science and Biometric Strategy and Forensic Services inquiry – Technology Committee is unusual amongst departmental select Inquiry announced 6 February 2018 committees in that it scrutinises the Government Office for Science The Committee held a session to hear from the Forensic Science (GO-Science), which is a "semiautonomous organisation” based Regulator on developments since the Government’s 2016 Forensics within the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy. Strategy was published, progress on issues raised by the previous GO-Science "supports the Government Chief Scientific Adviser and Committee’s report on that document, and recent developments in works to ensure that Government policy and decision-making is the forensics market. The Committee also discussed with the underpinned by robust scientific evidence". The committee minister the reasons for the delay in producing a Biometrics therefore has a similarly broad remit and can examine the activities Strategy, as well as use and retention issues for different types of of departments where they have implications for, or made use of, biometrics, including facial image technology. science, engineering, technology and research. Brexit science and innovation Summit – Inquiry announced 4 Norman Lamb MP was elected as Chair of the Science and January 2018 Technology Committee on 12 July 2017. The Science and Technology Committee hosted a Brexit and Contact: Science and Technology Committee House of Commons, science summit in February 2018, to identify actions needed now London SW1A 0AA Telephone: 020 7219 2793 Fax: 020 7219 to mitigate risks and exploit opportunities for UK science, research 0896 Email: [email protected] and innovation after Brexit. A report has now been published and RELEVANT INQUIRIES: can be found on the Committee’s webpage. The Committee aims Energy Drinks – Inquiry announced 8 March 2018 to present the results to Government at the start of phase-II of the Brexit negotiations with the EU. The Science and Technology Committee has launched an inquiry into the consumption of energy drinks. A study conducted by the E-cigarettes – Inquiry announced 25 October 2017 Centre for Translational Research in Public Health has found that The Science and Technology Committee examine the impact of young people in the UK consume more energy drinks than those in electronic cigarettes on human health (including their effectiveness other European countries, with consumption in the UK increasing as a stop-smoking tool), the suitability of regulations guiding their by 185% between 2006 and 2015. A report by the European use, and the financial implications of a growing market on both Food Safety Authority found that 68% of those aged 10-18, and business and the NHS. The Committee is accepting written 18% of those aged 3-10, were consumers of energy drinks. evidence to this inquiry. Deadline for written submissions is 8 April 2018.
28 Science in Parliament | Vol 74 No 1 | Spring 2018 Evidence-based early-years intervention – Inquiry announced 26 Algorithms in decision-making – October 2017 Inquiry announced 14 September 2017
The Science and Technology Committee examine the strength of This inquiry examines the increasing use of algorithms in public and the evidence linking adverse childhood experiences with long-term business decision making. It assesses how algorithms are negative outcomes, the evidence base for related interventions, formulated, the scope for error or correction and the impact they whether evidence is being used effectively in policy-making, and may have individuals — and their ability to understand or challenge the support and oversight for research into this area. The that decision. Committee is accepting written evidence to this inquiry. The Committee continues the previous Committee's inquiry, taking Research integrity – Inquiry announced 13 September 2017 forward the evidence it received previously. The deadline for written submissions has now passed. If you would like to send a late This inquiry looks at trends and developments in fraud, misconduct submission please contact the Committee Staff. and mistakes in research and the publication of research results. Research by Parliamentary Office of Science and Technology indicates the trend in misconduct/mistakes in publishing is still TRANSPORT COMMITTEE upwards. There has also been a so-called 'crisis in reproducibility' of The Transport Committee is charged by the House of Commons research. with scrutiny of the Department for Transport. Its formal remit is to examine the expenditure, administration and policy of the The Committee continues the previous Committee's inquiry, taking Department of Transport and its associated public bodies. forward the evidence it had received before the General Election. The deadline for written submissions has now passed. If you would Lilian Greenwood MP was elected as Chair of the Transport like to send a late submission please contact the Committee Staff. Committee on 12 July 2017.
Genomics and genome editing in the NHS – Inquiry announced Contact: Transport Committee, House of Commons, London SW1A 14 September 2017 0AA Telephone: 020 7219 3266 Email: [email protected] Twitter: @CommonsTrans Science and Technology Committee inquiry into the mainstreaming of genomic medicine in the NHS. This inquiry examines the Chief JOINT INQUIRY Medical Officer's (Dame Sally Davies) call in her latest annual Improving air quality – Inquiry announced 09 October 2017 report, ‘Generation Genome’, for mainstreaming genomic medicine in the NHS within 5 years. The Environment Food and Rural Affairs, Environment Audit, Health and Transport Select Committees are running an inquiry into the The Committee has invite evidence to include observations on how health and environmental impacts of air pollution. any barriers to greater integration of genomic therapies in the NHS could be overcome, and how such barriers may differ across the MPs from these four select committees have combined forces to devolved nations. In doing so, the Committee will take forward the relaunch an unprecedented joint inquiry on air quality to scrutinise interim report from the previous Committee on Genomics and cross-government plans to tackle pollution hotspots. The report has gene-editing and the evidence it had received before the General now been published and can be found on the Committee’s Election. The deadline for written submissions has now passed. If websites. you would like to send a late submission please contact the Committee Staff.
Science in Parliament | Vol 74 No 1 | Spring 2018 29 HOUSE OF LORDS SELECT COMMITTEES APRIL 2018
This article provides details of House of Lords Select Committees SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY COMMITTEE and their inquiries with relevance to the interests of the The Science and Technology Committee has a broad remit “to Parliamentary and Scientific Committee. consider science and technology”. It scrutinises Government policy by undertaking cross-departmental inquiries into a range of different ARTIFICAL INTELLIGENCE COMMITTEE activities. These include: The Select Committee on Artificial Intelligence was appointed on 29 June 2017 to consider the economic, ethical and social implications • public policy areas which ought to be informed by scientific of advances in artificial intelligence, and to make recommendations. research (for example, health effects of air travel), The Committee was established following the recommendation of • technological challenges and opportunities (for example, genomic the Liaison Committee. Oral evidence to this Inquiry has now medicine) and concluded and the report is in preparation. • public policy towards science itself (for example, setting priorities The Committee is Chaired by Lord Clement-Jones. for publicly funded research).
Contact: Select Committee on Artificial Intelligence , House of In addition, the Committee undertakes from time to time shorter Lords, London. SW1A 0PW Telephone: 020 7219 4384 Fax: 020 inquiries, either taking evidence from Ministers and officials on 7219 4931 Email: [email protected] topical issues, or following up previous work. EU ENERGY AND ENVIRONMENT SUB-COMMITTEE The Chair of the Committee is Lord Patel. The EU Energy and Environment Sub-committee is a sub- Life Sciences and the Industrial Strategy – Inquiry announced 21 committee of the EU Committee. The Sub-Committee focuses on a July 2017 range of policy areas related to agriculture, fisheries, environment The Government set out in its Industrial Strategy Green Paper its and energy. Attention is given to agricultural issues, particularly intention to create a new Life Sciences strategy to make the UK the legislation relating to the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) and best place in the world to invest in life sciences. To tackle animal health and welfare issues. The Common Fisheries Policy challenges like cancer and dementia it is important that the UK has (CFP) and wider environmental issues are also examined, as are a strong life sciences sector. But the sector faces a number of policies relating to energy and climate change. challenges and opportunities, including Brexit and making The Committee is Chaired by Lord Teverson. innovative new treatments available on the NHS.
Brexit: plant and animal biosecurity – Inquiry announced 16 This inquiry is investigating issues such as whether the Government March 2018 has the necessary structures in place to support the life sciences The EU Energy and Environment Sub-Committee is exploring the sector; how the NHS can use procurement to stimulate innovation impact Brexit could have on the UK’s biosecurity in terms of animal in the life sciences; and the content of the new Life Sciences and plant health, food safety and invasive species. The Committee industrial strategy. Oral evidence for this inquiry has concluded and is currently accepting written submissions to this inquiry the report is in preparation.
Brexit: energy security – Inquiry launched 11 July 2017 Contact: Science and Technology Select Committee , Committee Office, House of Lords, London SW1A 0PW Telephone: 020 7219 The EU Energy and Environment Sub-Committee has conducted a 5750 Fax: 020 7219 4931 Email: [email protected] short inquiry to examine the implications of Brexit for energy security in the UK. The inquiry aims to highlight the issues the Government will need to consider when developing a new energy relationship with the EU. The report was published on 29 January 2018. The Committee is now awaiting the Government Response and debate.
Contact: EU Energy and Environment Sub-Committee , House of Lords, London SW1A 0PW Telephone: 0207 219 3015, Fax: 0207 219 6715
30 Science in Parliament | Vol 74 No 1 | Spring 2018 SCIENCE DIRECTORY Research Councils UK Contact: Alexandra Saxon Head of RCUK Strategy Unit 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: Susie Watts Contact: Sarah Crew, Strategic Lead: External Affairs, Economic and Senior Stakeholder Engagement Manager, Contact: Matt Goode Social Research Council EPSRC, Polaris House, Associate Director, Communications & North Star Avenue, Swindon SN2 1ET External Relations Polaris House, North Star Avenue Tel: 01793 444570 BBSRC, Polaris House, North Star Avenue Swindon SN2 1UJ E-mail: [email protected] Swindon SN2 1UH. Tel: 01793 413299 Tel: 01793 413119 Website:www.epsrc.ac.uk E-mail: [email protected] E-mail: [email protected] Website: www.esrc.ac.uk Website: www.bbsrc.ac.uk EPSRC is the UK’s main agency for funding research The ESRC is the UK’s largest organisation for funding and training in engineering and physical sciences, BBSRC invests in world-class bioscience research, research on economic and social issues and is investing around £800m a year in research and innovation and training on behalf of the UK public. committed to supporting the very best research with postgraduate training, to help the nation handle the Our aim is to further scientific knowledge to wide-ranging impact. Social science contributes to next generation of technological change. promote economic growth, wealth and job creation greater knowledge and understanding of the many The areas covered range from information and to improve quality of life in the UK and beyond. challenges our society faces today and by ensuring technology to structural engineering, and BBSRC research is helping society to meet major that ESRC-funded research makes the biggest mathematics to materials science. This research challenges, including food security, green energy possible impact, our research shapes public policies forms the basis for future economic development in and healthier lifespans and underpins important UK and makes business, voluntary bodies and other the UK and improvements for everyone’s health, organisations more effective, as well as shaping lifestyle and culture. EPSRC works alongside other economic sectors, such as farming, food, industrial wider society. We also develop and train the UK’s Research Councils with responsibility for other areas biotechnology and pharmaceuticals. future social scientists. of research.
Medical Natural Research Environment Council Research Council Contact: Sophie Broster-James Contact: Andy Jones Contact: Natalie Bealing Public Affairs Manager Government and Parliament Head of Stakeholder Engagement One Kemble Street, London WC2B 4AN. Communications Manager STFC Rutherford Appleton Laboratory NERC, Polaris House, North Star Avenue, Tel: 020 7395 2275 Harwell Campus, Didcot OX11 0QX Swindon, SN2 1EU Tel: 01235 445484 E-mail: [email protected] Tel: 01793 444238 Website: www.mrc.ac.uk Mobile: 07867553053 E-mail: [email protected] www.stfc.ac.uk Over the past century, the MRC has been at the forefront Email: [email protected] Website: www.nerc.ac.uk of scientific discovery to improve human health. Founded The Science and Technology Facilities Council is one in 1913 to tackle tuberculosis, the MRC now invests NERC is the UK’s leading public funder of environmental of Europe’s largest multidisciplinary research taxpayers’ money in the highest quality medical research science. We invest £330 million each year in cutting-edge organisations undertaking and supporting a broad across every area of health. Thirty-one MRC-funded research, postgraduate training and innovation in range of research across the physical, life and researchers have won Nobel prizes in a wide range of universities and research centres. computational sciences. We operate world class, disciplines, and MRC scientists have been behind such Our scientists study the physical, chemical and biological large-scale research facilities in the UK and Europe diverse discoveries as vitamins, the structure of DNA and processes on which our planet and life itself depends – and provide strategic advice to the UK Government the link between smoking and cancer, as well as from pole to pole, from the deep Earth and oceans to the achievements such as pioneering the use of randomised atmosphere and space. on their development. We partner in two of the UK’s controlled trials, the invention of MRI scanning, and the We partner with business, government, the public and the Science and Innovation Campuses. We also manage development of therapeutic antibodies. We also work international research projects in support of a broad closely with the UK’s Health Departments, the NHS, wider research community to shape the environmental cross-section of the UK research community, medical research charities and industry to ensure our research and innovation agenda. Our science provides research achieves maximum impact as well as being of knowledge, skills and technology that deliver sustainable particularly in the fields of astronomy, nuclear physics excellent scientific quality. economic growth and public wellbeing. and particle physics.
Science in Parliament | Vol 74 No 1 | Spring 2018 31 SCIENCE DIRECTORY Association of the British Contact: Professor Richard Brook OBE FREng Contact: Pharmaceutical AIRTO Ltd: Association of Innovation Tony Harding Industry Research & Technology Organisations Limited 07895 162 896 for all queries whether for c/o National Physical Laboratory membership or assistance. Contact: Audrey Yvernault Hampton Road, Teddington Branch Office Address: Head of Policy and Public Affairs Middlesex TW11 0LW Merchant Quay, 7th Floor, Southside, 105 Victoria Street, Tel: 020 8943 6600 Salford Quays, Salford London SW1E 6QT E-mail: [email protected] M50 3SG. Tel: 020 7747 7136 Twitter: @airtoinnovation Email: [email protected] Website: www.airto.co.uk Website: www.amps-tradeunion.com Website: www.abpi.org.uk AIRTO – Association of Innovation, Research & Technology We are a Trades Union for Management and The Association of the British Pharmaceutical Industry (ABPI) Organisations – is the foremost membership body for the Professional Staff working in the pharmaceutical, represents innovative research-based biopharmaceutical UK’s innovation, research and technology sector, companies, large, medium and small, leading an exciting new era chemical and allied industries. of biosciences in the UK. Our industry, a major contributor to the representing 80% of organisations in the sector. We have produced a training programme funded by economy of the UK, brings life-saving and life-enhancing AIRTO’s members deliver vital innovation and knowledge medicines to patients. Our members are researching and the EU on diversity and helping women managers transfer services which include applied and collaborative developing over two-thirds of the current medicines pipeline, remain in the workplace after a career break. This R&D, (frequently in conjunction with universities), ensuring that the UK remains at the forefront of helping patients training programme is aimed at both men and women prevent and overcome diseases. Topics we focus on include: consultancy, technology validation and testing, incubation and is intended to address the shortfall in qualified of commercialisation opportunities and early stage • All aspects of the research and development of medicines personnel in the chemical and allied industries. including clinical research and licensing financing. AIRTO members have a combined turnover of • Stratified medicine over £5.5bn from clients both at home and outside the UK, We are experts in performance based and field related and employ over 47,000 scientists, technologists and issues and are affiliated to our counterparts in EU • Vaccines, biosimilars, small and large molecules, cell therapy and regenerative medicine engineers. Professional Management Unions.
Contact: Colin Danson Contact: Hannah Russell Distinguished Scientist & Head of Profession Director of Society Programmes Contact: Linda Capper, MBE, MCIPR for Physics and Mathematics Biochemical Society Head of Communications AWE Charles Darwin House, British Antarctic Survey Aldermaston, Reading RG7 4PR 12, Roger Street, High Cross Email: [email protected] London WC1N 2JU Madingley Road Cambridge CB3 0ET www.awe.co.uk Tel: +44 (0)20 7685 2439 Email [email protected] Tel: 0118 98 56901 Email: [email protected] Website: www.biochemistry.org Tel: +44 (0)1223 221448 AWE plays a crucial role in our nation’s defence by providing Mobile: 07714 233744 and maintaining warheads for the UK’s nuclear deterrent and The Biochemical Society works to promote the delivers advice and guidance on a 24/7 basis to UK molecular biosciences; facilitating the sharing of British Antarctic Survey (BAS), an institute of NERC, delivers government in the area of national security. expertise, supporting the advancement of and enables world-leading interdisciplinary research in the We are a centre of scientific, engineering and technological biochemistry and molecular biology and raising Polar Regions. Its skilled science and support staff based in excellence, with some of the most advanced research, design Cambridge, Antarctica and the Arctic, work together to and production facilities in the world. AWE is contracted to awareness of their importance in addressing deliver research that uses the Polar Regions to advance our the Ministry of Defence (MOD) through a Government- societal grand challenges. We achieve our mission understanding of Earth as a sustainable planet. Through its owned-contractor-operated (GOCO) arrangement. While our by : extensive logistic capability and know-how BAS facilitates sites and facilities remain in government ownership, their access for the British and international science community to management, day-to-day operations and maintenance of • bringing together molecular bioscientists; the UK polar research operation. Numerous national and Britain’s nuclear stockpile is contracted to a private company: • supporting the next generation of biochemists; international collaborations, combined with an excellent AWE Management Limited (AWE ML). AWE ML is a • promoting and sharing knowledge and infrastructure help sustain a world leading position for the consortium comprising three partners: Jacobs Engineering UK in Antarctic affairs. For more information visit Group, the Lockheed Martin Corporation and Serco Group plc. • promoting the importance of our discipline. www.bas.ac.uk @basnews
British In Vitro Diagnostics Association
Contact: (BIVDA) Contact: Professor Judy Buttriss, Ben Connor, Policy Manager Director General British Ecological Society Contact: Doris-Ann Williams MBE Imperial House 6th Floor 12 Roger Street, Chief Executive 15-19 Kingsway London WC1N 2JU British In Vitro Diagnostics Association London WC2B 6UN Email: [email protected] Devonshire House Tel: +44(0) 20 7557 7930 Tel: 020 7685 2510 164 – 168 Westminster Bridge Road Email: [email protected] Website: www.BritishEcologicalSociety.org London SE1 7RW Twitter: @BESPolicy Websites: www.nutrition.org.uk Tel: 0845 6188224 www.foodafactoflife.org.uk The British Ecological Society is an independent, Email: [email protected] authoritative learned society, and the voice of the www.bivda.co.uk The British Nutrition Foundation (BNF), a registered charity, delivers impartial, authoritative UK’s ecological community. Working with our BIVDA is the UK industry association representing and evidence-based information on food and members we gather and communicate the best companies who manufacture and/or distribute the nutrition. Its core purpose is to make nutrition available ecological evidence to inform decision diagnostics tests and equipment to diagnose, monitor and manage disease largely through the NHS science accessible to all, working with an making. We offer a source of unbiased, objective pathology services. Increasingly diagnostics are used extensive network of contacts across academia, ecological knowledge, and promote an evidence- outside the laboratory in community settings and also education and the food chain, and through BNF informed approach to finding the right solutions to to identify those patients who would benefit from work programmes focussing on education in environmental questions. specific drug treatment particularly for cancer. schools and nutrition science communication.
32 Science in Parliament | Vol 74 No 1 | Spring 2018 SCIENCE DIRECTORY
Mrs Tracey Guise Contact: Jo Revill, CEO Contact: Jonathan Brüün Chief Executive Officer Vintage House Chief Executive British Society for Antimicrobial Chemotherapy 37 Albert Embankment British Pharmacological Society Griffin House | 53 Regent Place | Birmingham London SE1 7TL. The Schild Plot, 16 Angel Gate, B1 3NJ Tel: 020 3031 9800 City Road, London EC1V 2PT www.bsac.org.uk | www.antibiotic-action.com Fax: 020 7582 2882 Tel: : 020 7239 0171 www.e-opat.com | www.nas-pps.com E-mail: [email protected] Fax: 020 7417 0114 |www.appg-on-antibiotics.com Website: www.immunology.org Email: [email protected] www.bsacsurv.org Website: www.bps.ac.uk The BSI is one of the oldest, largest and most active The BSAC is an inter-professional organisation with over immunology societies in the world. We have over The British Pharmacological Society is a charity with a forty years of experience and achievement in antibiotic education, research and leadership. The Society has an 5,000 members who work in all areas of mission to promote and advance the whole spectrum of active international membership and: pharmacology. It is the primary UK learned society immunology, including research and clinical • Is dedicated to saving lives through the effective use and concerned with drugs and the way they work, and leads the practice. way in the research and application of pharmacology development of antibiotics, now and in the future. around the world. • Communicates effectively about antibiotics and antibiotic The BSI runs major scientific meetings, education usage via workshops, professional guidelines and its own programmes and events for all ages. We Founded in 1931, the Society champions pharmacology in high impact international journal, the Journal of all its forms, across academia, industry, regulatory agencies Antimicrobial Chemotherapy. disseminate top quality scientific research through and the health service. With over 3,500 members from over • Is home to the UK-led global initiative Antibiotic Action our journals and meetings and we are committed 60 countries worldwide, the Society is a friendly and collaborative community. Enquiries about the discovery, • Serves as secretariat to the All Party Parliamentary Group to bringing the wonders and achievements of development and application of drugs are welcome. on Antibiotics immunology to as many audiences as possible.
Cavendish Laboratory Contact: Departmental Administrator , The Cavendish Laboratory, Contact: Geoff Rodgers Contact: Ian Brown Brunel University London J J Thomson Avenue, Cambridge CB3 0HE, UK. Kingston Lane E-mail: [email protected] Building 42a Uxbridge UB8 3PH http://www.phy.cam.ac.uk Cranfield University Tel: 01895 265609 Fax: 01895 269740 The Cavendish Laboratory houses the Department of Physics E-mail: [email protected] Cranfield Website: www.brunel.ac.uk of the University of Cambridge. Bedfordshire Brunel University London is an international research active university The research programme covers the breadth of with 3 leading research institutes: contemporary physics United Kingdom Institute of Energy Futures: Led by Professor Savvas Tassou, the main themes of the Institute are Advanced Engines and Biofuels, Energy Extreme Universe: Astrophysics, cosmology and high Efficient and Sustainable Technologies, Smart Power Networks , and Resource Efficient Future Cities . energy physics Institute of Materials and Manufacturing: The main themes of research Quantum Universe: Cold atoms, condensed matter theory, are Design for Sustainable Manufacturing, Liquid Metal Engineering, The British Society of Soil Science (BSSS) or “BS Materials Characterisation and Processing, Micro-Nano Manufacturing , scientific computing, quantum matter and semiconductor and Structural Integrity . The Institute is led by Professor Luiz Wrobel. physics cubed” as it is fondly known was founded in Institute of Environment, Health and Societies: Professor Susan 1947 by a number of eminent British soil Jobling leads this pioneering research institute whose themes are Health Materials Universe: Optoelectronics, nanophotonics, and Environment, Healthy Ageing, Health Economics Synthetic Biology, detector physics, thin film magnetism, surface physics and scientists. It was formed with the aims: to Biomedical Engineering and Healthcare Technologies , and Social Sciences and Health . the Winton programme for the physics of sustainability advance the study of soil; to be open to Brunel University London offers a wide range of expertise and Biological Universe: Physics of medicine, biological membership from all those with an interest in knowledge, and prides itself on having academic excellence at the core of its offer, and was ranked in the recent REF as 33rd in the UK for systems and soft matter the study and uses of soil; and to issue an Research Power (average quality rating by number of submissions) and The Laboratory has world-wide collaborations with other described by The Times Higher Education as one of the real winners of annual publication. the REF 2014. universities and industry
Stephen Barraclough Contact: Dr Christopher Flower Contact: Dr Eric Albone MBE Chief Executive Josaron House Clifton Scientific Trust [email protected] 5-7 John Princes Street 49 Northumberland Road, Bristol BS6 7BA +44 7736 89 33 44 London W1G 0JN Tel: 0117 924 7664 Fax: 0117 924 7664 www.ergonomics.org.uk Tel: 020 7491 8891 E-mail: [email protected] E-mail: [email protected] Website: www.clifton-scientific.org Ergonomics, also called Human Factors, sometimes Website: www.ctpa.org.uk & abbreviated ‘E/HF’ is a science-based discipline Science for Citizenship and Employability, about ‘designing for people’. E/HF takes into www.thefactsabout.co.uk Science for Life, Science for Real account the physical and mental capabilities, We build grass-roots partnerships between school aptitudes and abilities of people acting individually CTPA is the UK trade association representing and the wider world of professional science and its applications (a pilot, a surgeon or nurse, train driver) or manufacturers of cosmetic products and • for young people of all ages and abilities collectively, with or without equipment (a theatre suppliers to the cosmetic products industry. team, air traffic control) in the design of • experiencing science as a creative, questioning, ‘Cosmetic products’ are legally defined and workplaces, equipment and ways of working to human activity subject to stringent EU safety laws. CTPA is the deliver the least harmful, safest, most efficient, • bringing school science added meaning and most elegant possible outcomes’. E/HF uses science authoritative public voice of a vibrant and notivation, from primary to post-16 to improve the places in which we work, live and responsible UK industry trusted to act for the • locally, nationally, internationally (currently relax and the ways in which we interact with consumer; ensuring the science behind between Britain and Japan; also the Ukraine) people, equipment and systems. cosmetics is fully understood. Clifton Scientific Trust Ltd is registered charity 1086933
Science in Parliament | Vol 74 No 1 | Spring 2018 33 SCIENCE DIRECTORY
Contact: Louise Kingham OBE FEI Chief Executive Contact: Lindsay Walsh Contact: Dr Katie Perry 61 New Cavendish Street De Morgan House Chief Executive London W1G 7AR 57-58 Russell Square The Daphne Jackson Trust Tel: 020 7467 7100 London WC1B 4HS Department of Physics Email: [email protected] Tel: 020 7637 3686 University of Surrey, Guildford GU2 7XH Website: www.energyinst.org Fax: 020 7323 3655 Tel: 01483 689166 Email: [email protected] Email: [email protected] The Energy Institute (EI) is the chartered professional body Website: www.cms.ac.uk Website: www.daphnejackson.org for the energy sector, supporting over 22,000 individuals and 200 companies worldwide. The EI provides learning Founded in 1992 in memory of the UK’s first female and networking opportunities, professional recognition The Council for the Mathematical Sciences is an Professor of Physics, the Trust is the UK's leading charity and technical and scientific knowledge resources on authoritative and objective body that works to develop, dedicated to realising the potential of scientists and energy in all its forms and applications. influence and respond to UK policy issues affecting engineers returning to research after career breaks for mathematical sciences in higher education and family, caring and health reasons. Our Fellowship The EI’s purpose is to develop and disseminate research, and therefore the UK economy and society by: programme, working in partnership with universities, knowledge, skills and good practice towards a safe, • providing expert advice; research councils, charities, learned societies and industry, secure and sustainable energy system. It addresses the enables individuals to undertake part-time research in • engaging with government, funding agencies and depth and breadth of the energy sector and informs universities and research institutes. Fellowships comprise a other decision makers; policy by providing a platform for debate and research project alongside an individually tailored retraining scientifically-sound information. • raising public awareness; and programme, with additional mentoring and support, • facilitating communication between the enabling recipients to re-establish scientific credentials, A registered charity, the EI serves society with mathematical sciences community and other update skills and redevelop confidence, in a suitably independence, professionalism and a wealth of expertise stakeholders supportive environment. in all energy matters.
First Group
Contact: Mac Andrade Contact: Director of Science Director Infrastructure Tamzin Caffrey Fera Science Ltd. (Fera) First Group Head of Communications Sand Hutton, York, YO41 1LZ 4th Floor, EngineeringUK Tel: 01904 462000 Capital House 5th Floor, Woolgate Exchange E-mail: [email protected] 25 Chapel Street 25 Basinghall Street, London EC2V 5HA Website: www.fera.co.uk London Tel: 020 3206 0444 NW1 5DH Fax: 020 3206 0401 Fera provides expert analytical and professional E-mail: [email protected] E-mail: [email protected] services to governments, agrichemical companies, Website: www.firstgroup.com Website: www.EngineeringUK.com food retailers, manufacturers and farmers to facilitate safety, productivity and quality across the EngineeringUK is an independent organisation that agrifood supply chain in a sustainable and FirstGroup are the leading transport operator in the promotes the vital role of engineers, engineering environmentally compatible way. UK and North America and each day, every one of and technology in our society. EngineeringUK Fera uses its world leading scientific expertise to our 110,000 employees works hard to deliver vitally partners business and industry, Government and provide robust evidence, rigorous analysis and important services for our passengers. During the the wider science and technology community: professional advice to governments, international producing evidence on the state of engineering; bodies and companies worldwide. Our food last year around 2.2 billion passengers relied on us sharing knowledge within engineering, and integrity, plant health, agri-tech and agri- to get to work, to school or college, to visit family informatics services ensure that our customers have inspiring young people to choose a career in and friends, and much more. engineering, matching employers’ demand for access to leading edge science, technology and skills. expertise. GAMBICA Association Ltd
Contact: Dr Graeme Philp Contact: Nic Bilham Contact: Lynda Rigby, Executive Head of Broadwall House Director of Policy and Communications Burlington House Marketing and Membership 21 Broadwall Institute of Biomedical Science, London SE1 9PL Piccadilly 12 Coldbath Square, London, EC1R 5HL Tel: 020 7642 8080 London W1J 0BG Tel: 020 7713 0214 Fax: 020 7642 8096 Tel: 020 7434 9944 Email: [email protected] E-mail: [email protected] Fax: 020 7439 8975 Twitter: @IBMScience Website: www.gambica.org.uk E-mail: [email protected] Website: www.ibms.org Website: www.geolsoc.org.uk Advancing knowledge and setting standards in GAMBICA Association is the UK trade association biomedical science The Geological Society is the national learned and With over 20,000 members in over 30 countries, the for instrumentation, control, automation and Institute of Biomedical Science is the leading professional body for Earth sciences, with 12,000 professional body for biomedical scientists, support laboratory technology. The association seeks to Fellows (members) worldwide. The Fellowship staff and students. promote the successful development of the encompasses those working in industry, academia For over 100 years we have been dedicated to the promotion, development and delivery of excellence in industry and assist its member companies through and government, with a wide range of perspectives biomedical science within all aspects of healthcare, and and views on policy-relevant science, and the a broad range of services, including technical policy providing the highest standards of service to patients Society is a leading communicator of this science to and the public.By supporting our members in their and standards, commercial issues, market data and government bodies and other non-technical practice of biomedical science we set quality standards for the profession through: training, education, export services. audiences. assessments, examinations and continuous professional development.
34 Science in Parliament | Vol 74 No 1 | Spring 2018 SCIENCE DIRECTORY Institute of Marine Engineering, Science and Technology (IMarEST) Contact: Delia Mertoiu Contact: Michelle Medhat Contact: Bev Mackenzie 5 Cambridge Court Institute of Innovation & Knowledge Institute of Marine Engineering, Science 210 Shepherds Bush Road Exchange and Technology (IMarEST), Aldgate House, London W6 7NJ Rex House 33 Aldgate High Street, London, EC3N 1EN Tel: 020 7603 6316 4 – 12 Regent Street Tel: +44(0) 20 7382 2600 E-mail: [email protected] London SW1Y 4PE Fax: +44(0) 20 7382 2667 Website: www.ifst.org www. InnovationInstitute.org.uk E-mail: [email protected] Website: www.imarest.org IFST is the independent qualifying body for food IKE is the UK's professional body for innovators. It accredits and certificates innovation practices. We professionals in Europe. Membership is drawn from influence the inter-relationship between education, Established in London in 1889, the IMarEST is a all over the world from backgrounds including leading international membership body and business, and government through research and industry, universities, government, research and learned society for marine professionals, with over collaborative networks. Our Innovation Manifesto 15,000 members worldwide. The IMarEST has an development and food law enforcement. highlights our commitment to support the extensive marine network of 50 international IFST’s activities focus on disseminating knowledge development of innovative people and branches, affiliations with major marine societies relating to food science and technology and organisations. IKE runs think-tanks, conducts around the world, representation on the key marine promoting its application. Another important research, develops new business models and tools technical committees and non-governmental status element of our work is to promote and uphold and supports organisations to benchmark their at the International Maritime Organization (IMO) as standards amongst food professionals. innovation capabilities. well as other intergovernmental organisations.
The Institute Institute of of Materials Measurement Finishing Contact: Alex Connor and Control 76 Portland Place, London W1B 1NT Contact: Dr Trevor Crichton FIMF; Contact: Dr. Patrick A Finlay Tel: 020 7470 4819 MInstCorr; MRSC; CChem. Chief Executive Officer E-mail: [email protected] Email : [email protected] The Institute of Measurement and Control Website: www.iop.org Tel : 0121 622 7387 87 Gower Street, London WC1E 6AF Tel: +44 (0) 20 73874949 The Institute of Physics is a leading scientific The Institute of Materials Finishing is the premier E-mail: [email protected] membership society working to advance physics for technical organisation representing industry, Website: www.instmc.org the benefit of all. We have a worldwide academia and individual professionals in both the Reg Charity number: 269815 membership from enthusiastic amateurs to those at UK’s and global surface engineering and materials the top of their fields in academia, business, finishing sector. The Institute of Measurement and Control is a professional education and government. Our purpose is to engineering institution and learned society dedicated to the We actively promote continual education and gather, inspire, guide, represent and celebrate all science and application of measurement and control knowledge dissemination by providing both who share a passion for physics. And, in our role as technology for the public benefit. The InstMC has a a charity, we’re here to ensure that physics delivers distance learning and tutored training courses, as comprehensive range of membership grades for individuals on its exceptional potential to benefit society. well as a technical support service. We also provide engaged in both technical and non-technical occupations. bespoke courses that are tailored to an employer’s Also, it is licensed by the Engineering Council to assess and Alongside professional support for our members, register individuals as Chartered Engineers (CEng), we engage with policymakers and the public to specific needs. The Institute also publishes Incorporated Engineers (IEng) and Engineering Technicians increase awareness and understanding of the value Transactions of the Institute of Materials Finishing (EngTech). that physics holds for all of us. Our subsidiary and a bimonthly newsletter ( IMFormation ), as well The InstMC works to develop the knowledge and skills of company, IOP Publishing, is a world leader in as holding regular regional and international individual engineers, fostering communication and scientific communications, publishing journals, technical meetings, symposia and conferences. advancing the science and practices within the industry. ebooks, magazines and websites globally.
Institute of Institution Physics and of Civil Engineering Engineers
in Medicine Contact: Alex Green-Wilkes, Public Affairs Manager , Contact: Rosemary Cook CBE (CEO) One Great George Street, Westminster, Fairmount House, 230 Tadcaster Road, London SW1P 3AA, UK York, YO24 1ES Tel: 020 7665 2109 Tel: 01904 610821 Fax: 01904 612279 E-mail: [email protected] E-mail: [email protected] Website: www.ice.org.uk Website: www.ipem.ac.uk
IPEM is a registered, incorporated charity for the Established in 1818 and with over 86,000 advancement, in the public interest, of physics and members in 167 countries worldwide, ICE is a engineering applied to medicine and biology. Its members are medical physicists, clinical and bio- leading source of expertise in infrastructure and engineers, and clinical technologists. It organises engineering policy and is widely seen as the training and CPD for them, and provides opportunities independent voice of infrastructure. ICE provides for the dissemination of knowledge through publications and scientific meetings. IPEM is licensed by advice to all political parties and works with the Science Council to award CSci, RSci and RSciTech, industry to ensure that civil engineering and and by the Engineering Council to award CEng, IEng construction remain major contributors to the and EngTech. UK economy.
Science in Parliament | Vol 74 No 1 | Spring 2018 35 SCIENCE DIRECTORY Institution of Engineering Designers Contact: Richard Campbell 1 Birdcage Walk Contact : Libby Meyrick Contact: Joanna Cox London SW1H 9JJ Courtleigh IET Tel: 020 7973 1293 Westbury Leigh Michael Faraday House E-mail: [email protected] Westbury Six Hills Way Website: www.imeche.org Wiltshire BA13 3TA Stevenage Tel: 01373 822801 SG1 2AY Fax: 01373 858085 Tel: +44(0)1438 765690 E-mail: [email protected] Email: [email protected] The Institution provides politicians and civil servants Website: www.ied.org.uk Web: www.theiet.org with information, expertise and advice on a diverse range of subjects, focusing on manufacturing, The only professional membership body solely for those working in engineering and product design. The IET is a world leading professional organisation, energy, environment, transport and education Charterships and other professional registrations sharing and advancing knowledge to promote policy. We regularly publish policy statements and available for engineers, product designers and science, engineering and technology across the host political briefings and policy events to establish world. Dating back to 1871, the IET has over environmentalists. Members of the IED include a working relationship between the engineering experts on a wide range of all engineering and 163,000 members in 127 countries with offices in profession and parliament. product design disciplines, all of whom practice, Europe, North America, and Asia-Pacific. manage or educate in design.
Queens Road, Teddington Middlesex, TW11 0LY Tel: +44 (0)20 8943 7000 Contact: Dr Elizabeth Rollinson, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Fax: +44 (0)20 8943 2767 Executive Secretary Medicine E-mail: [email protected] The Linnean Society of London Contact: Professor Peter Piot, Director Website: www.lgcgroup.com Burlington House, Piccadilly, London W1J 0BF Keppel Street, London, WC1E 7HT LGC is an international science-based company and Tel: 020 7434 4479 ext 12 Tel: 020 7636 8636 market leader in the provision of analytical, forensic E-mail: [email protected] and diagnostic services and reference standards to Website: www.linnean.org Email: [email protected] customers in the public and private sectors. www.lshtm.ac.uk Under the Government Chemist function, LGC As the world’s oldest biological society, the Linnean fulfils specific statutory duties as the referee analyst Society of London is an essential forum and meeting and provides advice for Government and the wider point for those interested in natural history. The Society The London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine analytical community on the implications of holds regular public events, publishes three peer- is a world-leading centre for research and analytical chemistry for matters of policy, standards reviewed journals, promotes the study of the natural postgraduate education in public and global health, and regulation. LGC is also the UK’s designated world with several educational initiatives and is home to with over 4,000 students and more than 1,000 staff National Measurement Institute for chemical and a world famous library and collection of natural history working in over 100 countries across the world. Our biochemical analysis. specimens. The Society’s Fellows have a considerable depth and breadth of expertise encompasses many With headquarters in Teddington, South West range of biological expertise that can be harnessed to disciplines, and we are one of the highest-rated London, LGC has 36 laboratories and centres across inform and advise on scientific and public policy issues. research institutions in the UK. Europe and at sites in China, Brazil, India, South A Forum for Natural History Africa and the US.
Marine Biological Association
Contact: Anna Lucuk, Contact: Dr Matthew Frost Contact: Kirsty McBeath Director of Corporate Communication, Marine Biological Association, Met Office, The Laboratory, Citadel Hill, Plymouth, PL1 2PB Fitzroy Road, L’Oreal UK & Ireland Tel: 07848028388 Exeter, 255 Hammersmith Road, London W6 8AZ Fax: 01752 633102 EX1 3PB E-mail: [email protected] Tel: 0208 762 4374 Email: [email protected] Website: mba.ac.uk Website: www.metoffice.gov.uk E-mail: [email protected] Since 1884 the Marine Biological Association has Website: www.loreal.co.uk The Met Office doesn’t just forecast the weather on been delivering its mission ‘to promote scientific television. Our forecasts and warnings protect UK research into all aspects of life in the sea, including L’Oréal employs more than 3,800 researchers communities and infrastructure from severe the environment on which it depends, and to world-wide and dedicates over €850 million each weather and environmental hazards every day – disseminate to the public the knowledge gained.’ year to research and innovation in the field of they save lives and money. Our Climate Programme The MBA represents its members in providing a healthy skin and hair. The company supports delivers evidence to underpin Government policy clear independent voice to government on behalf women in science research through the L’Oréal through the Met Office Hadley Centre. Our Mobile UNESCO For Women In Science Programme and of the marine biological community. It also has an Meteorological Unit supports the Armed Forces engages young people with science through the extensive research programme and a long history as around the world. We build capacity overseas in L’Oréal Young Scientist Centre at the Royal an expert provider of advice for the benefit of policy Institution. L’Oréal also collaborates with a vast support of international development. All of this makers and wider society. number of institutions in the UK and globally. built on world-class environmental science.
36 Science in Parliament | Vol 74 No 1 | Spring 2018 SCIENCE DIRECTORY
Advancing the science of nature Contact: Dr Paul Richards Contact: Fiona Auty Policy Manager National Physical Laboratory Contact: John Jackson Microbiology Society Hampton Road, Teddington Head of Science Policy and Communication Charles Darwin House Middlesex TW11 0LW Natural History Museum 12 Roger Street, London WC1N 2JU Tel: 020 8977 3222 Cromwell Road, London SW7 5BD Tel: 020 7685 2542 Website: www.npl.co.uk/contact-us Tel: +44 (0)20 7942 5257 E-mail: [email protected] E-mail: [email protected] Website: www.microbiologysociety.org The National Physical Laboratory (NPL) is the United Website: www.nhm.ac.uk Kingdom’s national measurement institute, an The Microbiology Society is the largest learned We challenge the way people think about the natural world microbiological society in Europe with a worldwide internationally respected and independent centre – its past, present and future membership based in universities, industry, hospitals, of excellence in research, development and We use our unique collection and unrivalled expertise to research institutes and schools. The Society publishes knowledge transfer in measurement and materials tackle the biggest challenges facing the world today. key academic journals, organises international science. For more than a century, NPL has We are leaders in the scientific understanding of the origin scientific conferences and provides an international developed and maintained the nation’s primary of our planet, life on it and can predict the impact of future forum for communication among microbiologists. measurement standards - the heart of an change. The Society promotes the understanding of infrastructure designed to ensure accuracy, We study the diversity of life and the delicate balance of microbiology to a diverse range of stakeholders, ecosystems to ensure the survival of our planet. consistency and innovation in physical including policy-makers, students, teachers, We help enable food security, eradicate disease and manage measurement. journalists and the wider public, through a resource scarcity. comprehensive framework of communication We inspire people to engage with science to solve major activities and resources. societal challenges.
PHARMAQ Ltd
Contact: Alex Miles Contact: Dr Benjamin P North Contact: Nick Allen Deputy Director, External Relations PHARMAQ Ltd Executive Officer (Public Affairs) Unit 15 Sandleheath Industrial Estate Boughton Green Road, University Park, Nottingham, NG7 2RD Fordingbridge Northampton, NN2 7AL E-mail: [email protected] Hants SP6 1PA. Tel: 01604 735500 Mobile: 07917115197 Tel: 01425 656081 Fax: 01604 716502 Twitter: @AlextoMiles E-mail: [email protected] E-mail: [email protected] www.nottingham.ac.uk Website: www.pharmaq.no Website: www.northampton.ac.uk PHARMAQ is the only global pharmaceutical company With 43,000 students and campuses in with a primary focus on aquaculture. Our mission is to The University of Northampton is an institution Nottingham, China and Malaysia, The University of provide environmentally sound, safe and efficacious committed to science education through initial Nottingham is ‘the nearest Britain has to a truly health products to the global aquaculture industry global university’. With more than 97 per cent of through targeted research and the commitment of teacher training, a STEM Ambassador network dedicated people. We have a product portfolio that which works within the community and teaching research at the University recognised internationally includes over 20 fish vaccines along with specialist feed and research to doctoral level. We are an Ashoka U according to the Research Excellence Framework additives, anaesthetics, antibiotics, sea lice treatments and ‘Changemaker Campus’ status university 2014, the University is ranked in the top 1% of the biocide disinfectants. Through our sister company, PHARMAQ Analytiq, we also offer a range of diagnostics recognising our commitment to social innovation world’s universities by the QS World University services that can be used to help safeguard fish welfare and entrepreneurship. Rankings. and improve productivity.
QUADRUM INSTITUTE
Contact: Henry Lovett Contact: Sue Ferns, Contact: Laura Knight Policy & Public Affairs Officer Director of Communications and Research , Head of Corporate Affairs Hodgkin Huxley House New Prospect House Quadram Institute Bioscience, Norwich 30 Farringdon Lane 8 Leake St, London SE1 7NN Research Park, NR4 7UA London EC1R 3AW Tel: 020 7902 6639 Fax: 020 7902 6637 Tel: 01603 255000/5310 Tel: +44 (0) 20 7269 5722 E-mail: [email protected] Email: [email protected] E-mail: [email protected] www.prospect.org.uk Website: www.quadram.ac.uk Website: www.physoc.org Prospect is an independent, thriving and forward- Opening fully in mid-2018, the Quadram Institute will be Physiology is the science of how molecules, cells and looking trade union with 117,000 members across an interdisciplinary research centre capitalising on the the private and public sectors and a diverse range of organs work in the body. Representing over 3500 academic excellence and clinical expertise of the Norwich occupations. We represent scientists, technologists life scientists, The Physiological Society supports Research Park. Its mission is to understand how food and and other professions in the civil service, research scientific research through its grants schemes, councils and private sector. the gut microbiota link to the promotion of health and conferences and its three open access journals. preventing diet and age related diseases. The Quadram Prospect’s collective voice champions the interests of Institute brings together fundamental and translational The Society also supports the teaching of physiology the engineering and scientific community to key science with a clinical research facility for human trials and in schools and universities, and works to promote an opinion-formers and policy makers. With one of Europe’s largest gastrointestinal endoscopy units. negotiating rights with over 300 employers, we seek understanding of physiology amongst policy-makers This will synergise interactions between basic and clinical to secure a better life at work by putting members’ research, delivering a step change in the understanding of and the general public. pay, conditions and careers first. the role of food in health.
Science in Parliament | Vol 74 No 1 | Spring 2018 37 SCIENCE DIRECTORY
Contact: Office of the Science Directorate Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew Richmond, Surrey, TW9 3AB Tel: 020 8332 5050/5248 Contact: Helen Wilkinson Email: [email protected] Dallam Court, Dallam Lane Website: www.kew.org Warrington, WA2 7LT Contact: Juniour Blake RBG Kew is a centre of global scientific expertise in plant and Tel: 01925 41 3984 External Relations Manager fungal diversity, conservation, and sustainable use, housed in E-mail: [email protected] Royal Academy of Engineering two world-class gardens. Our scientific vision is to document Website: www.risksol.co.uk 3 Carlton House Terrace and understand global plant and fungal diversity and its uses, Risk Solutions helps our clients make better decisions in London SW1Y 5DG bringing authoritative expertise to bear on the critical a complex and uncertain world. challenges facing humanity today. Tel: 020 7766 0600 Kew’s strategic priorities for science are: Using traditional qualitative and quantitative methods, E-mail: [email protected] combined with cutting-edge participative approaches, 1. To document and conduct research into global plant and Website: www.raeng.org.uk fungal diversity and its uses for humanity. we work with clients from across the public and private sectors, their stakeholders and customers, to bring a 2. To curate and provide data-rich evidence from Kew’s As the UK’s national academy for engineering, we unrivalled collections as a global asset for scientific depth of understanding of the issues and to develop bring together the most successful and talented research. consensus about how to tackle them. engineers for a shared purpose: to advance and 3. To disseminate our scientific knowledge of plants and Our small, highly motivated and client focused team promote excellence in engineering. We have four fungi, maximising its impact in science, education, delivers: conservation policy and management. • policy design, appraisal and decision support strategic challenges: drive faster and more balanced These priorities enable us to curate, use, enhance, explore • risk assessment and risk based strategies and plans economic growth; foster better education and skills; and share Kew’s global resource, providing robust data and a strong evidence base for our UK and global stakeholders. • evaluation, assurance and organisational review, and lead the profession; and promote engineering at the heart of society. Kew is a non-departmental government body with exempt • training, coaching and guidance. charitable status, partially funded by Defra.
Contact: Becky Purvis Contact: Dr Gail Cardew Head of Public Affairs Director of Science and Education The Royal Society, 6-9 Carlton House Terrace Contact: Dr Stephen Benn The Royal Institution London SW1Y 5AG. Director of Parliamentary Affairs 21 Albemarle Street, London W1S 4BS Tel: 020 7451 2261 Royal Society of Biology Tel: 020 7409 2992 Fax: 020 7670 2920 Email: [email protected] Charles Darwin House E-mail: [email protected] Website: www.royalsociety.org 12 Roger Street Websites: www.rigb.org, London WC1N 2JU www.richannel.org The Royal Society is the academy of science in the UK Tel: 020 7685 2550 Twitter: ri_science and the Commonwealth comprising 1400 outstanding individuals representing the sciences, engineering and E-mail: [email protected] Website: www.rsb.org.uk The Royal Institution (Ri) has been at the forefront of medicine. The Society has played a part in some of the public engagement with science for over 200 years most fundamental, significant and life-changing The Royal Society of Biology is a single unified voice, and our purpose is to encourage people to think discoveries in scientific history and Royal Society representing a diverse membership of individuals, further about the wonders of science. We run public scientists continue to make outstanding contributions learned societies and other organisations. We are events and the famous CHRISTMAS LECTURES ®, a to science across the wide breadth of research areas. committed to ensuring that we provide Government national programme of Masterclasses for young and other policy makers – including funders of people in mathematics, engineering and computer Through its Fellowship and permanent staff, it seeks to ensure that its contribution to shaping the future of biological education and research – with a distinct point science, educational activities at the L’Oréal Young of access to authoritative, independent, and evidence- science in the UK and beyond has a deep and enduring Scientist Centre and policy discussions with science based opinion, representative of the widest range of impact, supporting excellence in science and students. And through the Ri Channel we share the bioscience disciplines. Our vision is of a world that stories behind cutting-edge science with people encouraging the development and use of science for understands the true value of biology and how it can around the world. the benefit of humanity. contribute to improving life for all.
Society for Underwater Technology Contact: Dr Christopher Brown, Policy Officer Society for Underwater Technology Contact: Clare Viney Charles Darwin House, Contact: David Liddle, Business Executive Director, Communications, 12 Roger Street, Development Executive Policy and Campaigns Royal Society of Chemistry, Thomas Graham London, WC1N 2JU 1 Fetter Lane, London EC4A 1 BR House (290), Science Park, Milton Road, [email protected] Tel: 020 3440 5535 Cambridge, CB4 0WF +44 (0)207 685 2596 Fax: 020 3440 5980 Tel 020 7440 2267 E-mail: [email protected] Email [email protected] SfAM is a UK organization, serving microbiologists Website: www.sut.org Website: www.rsc.org internationally. It works to advance, for the benefit of The Royal Society of Chemistry is the world’s leading the public, the science of microbiology in its application The SUT is a multidisciplinary learned society that chemistry community, advancing excellence in the to the environment, human and animal health, brings together individuals and organisations with a chemical sciences. With over 50,000 members and a agriculture, and industry. With Wiley-Blackwell, S fAM common interest in underwater technology, ocean knowledge business that spans the globe, we are the publishes five internationally acclaimed journals. Value science, and offshore/subsea engineering. The UK’s professional body for chemical scientists; a not- for money and a modern, innovative and progressive society was founded in 1966 and has members for-profit organisation with 170 years of history and outlook are its core principles. A friendly society, S fAM from over 40 countries, including engineers, an international vision of the future. We promote, values integrity, honesty, and respect, and seeks to scientists, other professionals and students working support and celebrate chemistry. We work to shape promote excellence and professionalism and to inspire in these areas. the future of the chemical sciences – for the benefit young microbiologists. of science and humanity.
38 Science in Parliament | Vol 74 No 1 | Spring 2018 SCIENCE DIRECTORY Society of Chemical Society of Industry Cosmetic Scientists Contact: John Murray Contact: Sharon Todd Contact: Gem Bektas, Society of Maritime Industries SCI Secretary General 28-29 Threadneedle Street, 14-15 Belgrave Square Society of Cosmetic Scientists London EC2R 8AY London SW1X 8PS Suite 109 Christchurch House Tel: 020 7628 2555 Fax: 020 7638 4376 Tel: 020 7598 1500 40 Upper George Street E-mail: [email protected] E-mail: [email protected] Luton Bedfordshire LU1 2RS Website: www.maritimeindustries.org Website www.soci.org Tel: 01582 726661 Fax: 01582 405217 The Society of Maritime Industries (SMI) is the voice Established by Royal Charter in 1881, SCI is a unique E-mail: [email protected] multi-disciplinary community. Set up by a prominent of the UK’s maritime engineering and business Website: www.scs.org.uk group of forward thinking scientists, inventors and sector promoting and supporting companies which entrepreneurs, SCI continues to be a multi-science and Advancing the science of cosmetics is the primary industry network based around chemistry and related design, build, refit and modernise ships, and supply objective of the SCS. Cosmetic science covers a wide sciences. Our charitable objective is to promote links range of disciplines from organic and physical equipment and services for all types of commercial between science and industry for the benefit of society. Our passion is invention and creation. chemistry to biology and photo-biology, dermatology, and naval ships, ports and terminals infrastructure, microbiology, physical sciences and psychology. We deliver our charitable objective by: offshore oil and gas, maritime security and safety, Members are scientists and the SCS helps them • Supporting the commercial application of science into marine science and technology, maritime industry progress their careers and the science of cosmetics ethically and responsibly. Services include publications, autonomous systems and marine renewable • Tackling global challenges across Agrifood, Energy, educational courses and scientific meetings. Environment, Health and Materials energy.
Contact: Dr Andrew Muir Contact: Chris Magee Contact: Dr Rob Singh c/o STFC Innovations Ltd Head of Policy and Media Deputy Director, Enterprise Harwell Campus Oxford OX11 0QX Understanding Animal Research Wivenhoe Park Tel: 0121 710 1990 Hodgkin Huxley House Colchester CO4 3SQ E-mail: [email protected] 30 Farringdon Lane, London EC1R 3AW T 01206 874278 Website: https://ukinnovationscience direct tel: 020 3675 1234 E [email protected] seedfund.co.uk/ email: [email protected] W www.essex.ac.uk/business The UK Innovation & Science Seed Fund is a http://www.understandinganimalresearch.org. leading patient capital investor with more than uk/ Established in 1964, the University of Essex is £330 million private investment leveraged to date. ranked as one of the Top 20 universities in the The Fund works to build technology companies Understanding Animal Research is a not-for-profit Research Excellence Framework and is awarded from the earliest stage by working closely with its organisation that explains why animals are used in Gold in the Teaching Excellence Framework. It is partners led by STFC, BBSRC, NERC and Dstl, with medical, veterinary, environmental and other scientific home to world-leading expertise in analytics and the National Research and Innovation Campuses research. We aim to achieve a broad understanding of data science, with research peaks spanning the they support, and with entrepreneurial science-led the humane use of animals in medical, veterinary, social sciences, sciences, and humanities. Pioneers teams. UK Innovation & Science Seed Fund is also scientific and environmental research in the UK. We of quantitative methods and artificial intelligence closely aligned with the Catapults and InnovateUK, work closely with policymakers to ensure regulation is techniques, Essex is also in the UK top 10 for helping to commercialise key technological effective and are a trusted source of information for Knowledge Transfer Partnerships, and works with advances in industrial biotech, agricultural the national and international media. We are funded businesses to embed innovation into operations, technology, healthcare, medicine, clean energy, by our members who include universities, professional through KTPs, knowledge exchange and contract materials, artificial intelligence, software and space. societies, trade unions, industry and charities. research.
Universities Federation for Animal Welfare Contact: Dr Robert Hubrecht Contact: Chris Eady Chief Executive and Scientific Director The Welding Institute, Granta Park, Great The Old School, Brewhouse Hill Abington, Cambridge, CB21 6AL Wheathampstead, Herts. AL4 8AN. Tel: 01223 899614 Tel: 01582 831818. Fax: 01582 831414. Fax:01223 894219 Email: [email protected] E-mail: [email protected] Website: www.ufaw.org.uk Website: www.twi-global.com Registered in England Charity No: 207996 The Welding Institute is the leading institution UFAW, the international animal welfare science providing engineering solutions and knowledge society, is an independent scientific and educational transfer in all aspects of manufacturing, fabrication and charity. It works to improve animal lives by: whole-life integrity management. Industrial membership provides access to innovative • supporting animal welfare research problem-solving from one of the world’s foremost • educating and raising awareness of welfare independent research and technology organisations. issues in the UK and overseas Non-Corporate services include membership and registration, education, training and certification for • producing the quarterly scientific journal Animal internationally recognised professional development Welfare and other high-quality publications on and personnel competence assurance. animal care and welfare TWI provides Members and stakeholders with authoritative and impartial expert advice, knowhow • providing advice to government departments and safety assurance through engineering, materials and other concerned bodies. and joining technologies.
Science in Parliament | Vol 74 No 1 | Spring 2018 39 SCIENCE DIARY PARLIAMENTARY AND SCIENTIFIC THE ROYAL SOCIETY PARLIAMENTARY OFFICE OF COMMITTEE Details of all events can be found on the SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY Tel: 020 7222 7085 events calendar at [email protected] POST organises events that connect Email: [email protected] For scientific meetings queries: Parliamentarians to leading experts from the www.scienceinparliament.org.uk [email protected] research community and other sectors follow us on Twitter @ParlSciCom including government, the third sector and business on a range of topics. Details can Monday 23 April 5:30pm THE ROYAL INSTITUTION be found at www.parliament.uk/mps-lords- Discussion Meeting in partnership with Details of all events and booking and-offices/offices/bicameral/post/post- Natural and Environment Research Council information can be found at Into the deep – discovering our oceans events/ www.rigb.org/whats-on. Boothroyd Room, Portcullis House
ROYAL SOCIETY OF BIOLOGY 25 April 2018 19:00-22:00 | Royal Society of Biology Accreditation Award Ceremony
Terrace Pavilion, House of Commons, Houses of Parliament SW1A 0AA
26 June 2018 10:00-12:30 Parliamentary Links Day The Attlee Suite, Portcullis House, Houses of Parliament, London SW1A 2LW
10 October Biology Week Reception Churchill Room, House of Commons, Houses of Parliament SW1A 0AA
5 December Christmas Parliamentary Reception Churchill Room, House of Commons, Houses of Parliament SW1A 0AA
Please contact Karen Patel and Stephen Benn at [email protected] for more details.
SCIENCE IN PARLIAMENT OFFICERS OF THE PARLIAMENTARY 3 Birdcage Walk & SCIENTIFIC COMMITTEE London SW1H 9JJ T: 020 7222 7085 s i p F: 020 7222 7189 President: The Lord Oxburgh KBE FRS Professor Colin Seabrook MBE Chairman: Mr Stephen Metcalfe MP Ms Doris-Ann Williams www.scienceinparliament.org.uk Deputy Chairman: Ms Chi Onwurah MP Professor Francesca Medda Editor: Dr Isabel Spence Hon Treasurer: Lord Willis of Knaresborough Advisory Panel: Mr David Youdan Hon Secretary: Ms Carol Monaghan MP Dr David Dent Editorial Assistant: Mrs Karen Smith Vice-Presidents: Mr Paul Ridout Ms Rebecca Purvis Mr Philip Greenish CBE Secretariat: Dr Isabel Spence Dr Stephen Benn Mrs Karen Smith Mr Atti Emecz Professor Ian Haines Dr Guy Hembury
Published by Parliamentary and Scientific Committee, 3 Birdcage Walk, London SW1H 9JJ. Published four times a year. The 2017 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 Dr Isabel Spence, email [email protected]. Copyright ©2017 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. Type/layout by VAL Design Services and printed by Premier Print Group.
40 Science in Parliament | Vol 74 No 1 | Spring 2018 For ch ildr en and fa milie s throu ghout 2018
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