Innovation, Universities, Science & Skills Committee
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INNOVATION, UNIVERSITIES, SCIENCE & SKILLS COMMITTEE PUTTING SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING AT THE HEART OF GOVERNMENT POLICY Memoranda of Evidence INDEX No Submission from: 1 Department for Innovation, Universities and Skills 2 Unite the Union 3 Prospect 4 The Natural History Museum 5 Royal Aeronautical Society 6 UK Computer Research Committees 7 Met Office 8 Energy and Utility Skills 9 AstraZeneca 10 Geological Society of London 11 British Science Association 12 Confederation of British Industry 13 BRE Global 14 Institute of Physics 15 Concatenation Science Communication 16 UK Deans of Science 17 Royal Statistical Society 18 The British Academy 19 Council for Mathematical Sciences 20 Academy of Social Sciences 21 Science and Technology Facilities Council 22 Genewatch UK 23 Research Strategy Office, Imperial College London 24 Council for Science and Technology 25 Arts and Humanities Research Council 26 John Innes Centre 27 The Royal Society 28 SSC Science Cluster 29 Semta 30 RCUK 31 Dr Paul Marchant, Leeds Metropolitan University 32 British Aerospace Companies 33 Association of Medical Research Charities 34 Campaign for Science and Engineering 35 Regional Studies Association 36 Biosciences Federation 37 UK Resource Centre for Women in Science, Engineering and Technology 38 Academy of Medical Sciences 39 The Science Council 40 Royal Academy of Engineering 41 BAE Systems 42 Royal Society of Edinburgh 43 Universities UK 44 Royal Society of Chemistry 45 The Wellcome Trust 46 Sense about Science 47 Food Standards Agency 48 Council for Science and Technology (Supplementary memorandum) 49 Unite the Union 50 National Physical Laboratory 51 UK Computing Research Committee (UKCRC) 52 Royal Aeronautical Society 53 The Geological Society of London 54 Finmeccanica 55 Royal Astronomical Society 56 Dr Martin Dominik 57 Professor Peter J Dobson 58 The British Academy 59 UK National Commission for UNESCO 60 Medical Research Council 61 AIRTO 62 John Innes Centre, the Institute of Food Research and the Sainsbury Laboratory 63 The Institute of Physics 64 Semta 65 Mathematical, Physical & Life Sciences, University of Oxford 66 The Royal Society of Edinburgh 67 The Bioindustry Association 68 Universities UK 69 The Royal Society of Chemistry 70 SURF, University of Salford 71 The UK Industry Association for Space (UKspace) 72 Biosciences Federation 73 AMRC (Association of Medical Research Charities) 74 GeneWatch UK 75 Campaign for Science & Engineering 76 AMEC 77 NERC 78 UK Deans of Science 79 RAE (Royal Academy of Engineering) 80 Royal Society 81 Open University Memorandum 1 Submission from the Department for Innovation, Universities and Skills 1 INTRODUCTORY REMARKS The UK’s economic success over the last ten years is based to a substantial degree on its successful use of science, engineering and innovation, whether in pharmaceuticals, aerospace and defence, communications, financial services or in a wide range of innovative small businesses. In addition the ten year framework for investment in science and innovation and succeeding policy documents have formed a strong basis for continued and increased investment in the UK’s research base and in innovation, and for improving the use of science and engineering in Government. These are policies for the long term and are being maintained through the current economic challenges so that the UK is well placed to benefit from the upturn when it comes. In addition the National Economic Council is actively seeking ways of using the UK’s excellence in science and engineering to bring forward investment in industries and activities which will both reduce the depth of the downturn and put us in a stronger long term position. This memorandum is structured to reflect the two broad related themes identified by the Committee: • The contribution of science and engineering to Government policy, and • Government policy on science and engineering. These themes overlap and interact, so some of the issues discussed in the memorandum relate to both themes. 1.1 Cabinet sub-Committee on Science and Innovation The importance placed on the use of science and engineering in policy-making was made clear by the Prime Minister’s recent creation of a Cabinet sub-Committee on Science and Innovation (ED(SI)). Through his chairmanship of this Committee, the Science Minister, Lord Drayson will drive implementation of science and innovation policy, including ensuring that science and engineering make a central contribution to policy development. The Committee is well placed to deliver cross-cutting action, working as it does across departmental boundaries so that linkages across government on policy development and delivery are better identified and exploited. It will also serve as a forum where good practice can be shared and poor performance robustly challenged. The Committee meets monthly and addresses issues such as innovation and procurement, R&D strategies, science and society, investing in science and innovation, STEM skills, and the management and use of science by departments. The Chair reports quarterly on progress to the Prime Minister. 2 THE CONTRIBUTION OF SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING TO GOVERNMENT POLICY Under the leadership of Government Chief Scientific Adviser (GCSA) Professor John Beddington, Chief Scientific Advisers (CSAs) from the lead science-using departments meet regularly to discuss strategy, current issues and priorities with each other and with Research Council and Technology Strategy Board CEOs. In addition the GCSA meets regularly with the other Heads of Analysis (statistics, operational research, economics and social research) in Government. A key objective is to identify opportunities for synergy, reinforcement, and improved delivery paths across the science and other evidence base and policy. This is more important than ever in the current economic climate. Policy makers in Government are trained actively to seek and use analytical evidence, including that derived from science and engineering. This expectation has been formalised in the Professional Skills for Government (PSG) core skill of “Analysis and Use of Evidence” for all civil servants. Departments and Agencies with substantial R&D spend have in place science and innovation strategies that place the role of science and engineering more clearly within the wider policy and resource context. A Government Social Research Unit study1 in 2007 described changes over time of the contribution that analysis (including science and engineering) generated with or commissioned by departments makes to government policy. The GSRU painted a generally positive picture but with some reservations. For example, in some cases, policy-makers did not acknowledge the importance of the evidence base, giving as their reason that it failed to provide unambiguous conclusions. In response, the Government Office for Science has commissioned a project with the Risk and Regulatory Advisory Council to develop guidance for civil servants on risk, with a particular focus on risk communication and a better understanding of the opportunities and limitations of scientific and engineering evidence. During 2008, in response to feedback from departments, there has been a thorough independent review of Science Reviews, peer reviewed by the Heads of Analysis Group and the Chief Scientific Advisers Committee. This has concluded that the time is right to adopt a two-tier system of evaluation of the use by departments of scientific and engineering evidence. These reviews will be co-owned by the GCSA and the relevant Permanent Secretary. The expectation is that most reviews will be “lighter touch”, unless the department requests or agrees to an in-depth evaluation of a particular area of concern. The new approach will be faster and more focused on departmental business objectives, whilst also having the flexibility to respond to issues that cross departmental boundaries and engage more than one analytical discipline. The new approach will be piloted early in 2009. The Government’s strategy for science in Government, due for publication in the first part of 2009, will further reinforce the aim of excellent policy-making supported by a 1 Analysis for Policy: Evidence-based policy in practice (GSR, 2007) - www.gsr.gov.uk/downloads/resources/pu256_160407.pdf more sophisticated understanding of science and engineering advice throughout Government. In recent years the GCSA and GO-Science have led the way in strengthening the place of science and engineering inside departments. All major science-using departments have accepted the case for appointing their own CSAs. Professor Beddington is working closely with the community of CSAs to build a cross- government approach to identifying and taking forward research priorities which address major policy challenges such as understanding and responding to the complex inter-relationships between climate change, energy, water, food, and migration. 2.1 Council for Science and Technology The Council for Science and Technology (CST) is the Prime Minister's top-level independent advisory body on strategic science and technology policy issues, and engages with all Government departments as appropriate to the issue under consideration. The 17 members of the Council are respected senior figures drawn from across science, engineering and technology (including social research and economics). The CST has made valuable contributions across a wide range of key policy challenges that include its reports, Policy through Dialogue (March 2005), Better use of personal information: