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2014 Annual Report Design & Production: Production: & Design Executive Summary Contact Centre for Science and Policy Centre for Science and Policy University of Cambridge Networks of Expertise and Evidence for Public Policy 10 Trumpington Street Cambridge CB2 1QA Tel: +44 (0)1223 768392 Email: [email protected] Website: www.csap.cam.ac.uk 2014 Annual Report design & production: www.sutherlandhawes.co.uk production: & design Executive Summary The Centre for Science and Policy’s mission is to improve the use of expertise and evidence in public policy, delivered through a unique network of academics and policy makers. Our distinctive approach is based on addressing the questions which policy makers identify, and on building relationships “Handling risk is a vital task for any government. In my characterised by mutual understanding, respect and trust. first annual report as Government Chief Scientific 2014 has marked an important transition for CSaP. We use our networks to convene conversations Dr Robert Doubleday Adviser Innovation: managing risk, not avoiding it I set Executive Director After an initial period of experimentation, we are that open up new ways of thinking and fresh Centre for Science and Policy out proposals for the development of regulation and now focusing on our unparalleled ability to connect perspectives on the challenges facing today’s policy based on rigorous evidence and careful public and convene productive conversations at the governments. During 2014 CSaP hosted 53 events engagement. By building timely and relevant connections intersection of science and policy. attended by 2487 people – including our first workshop in Brussels on how new technologies between government and academia, the Centre for CSaP is playing its part in establishing Cambridge could improve EU policy making. Science and Policy is making a significant contribution to as the preeminent place for exploratory and creative improving the use of evidence in public policy. I welcome discussion about how academic research can Looking ahead to 2015, we will continue to focus contribute to the work of government. We do this on our distinctive strengths in connecting and CSaP’s contribution and wish it well for the future.” above all through our Policy Fellowships Programme, convening in order to improve the capacity of policy which has now welcomed 175 Fellows, connecting professionals to engage with academia – and to Sir Mark Walport them with over 1000 experts in more than 5000 enrich academic understanding of the policy Government Chief Scientific Adviser one-to-one meetings. These connections are dimensions of research. Working in new partnerships helping to create an infrastructure of expertise across the UK and Europe, we will seek to catalyse supporting policy at European, UK, devolved and the necessary transformations in relations between local levels, and we’re delighted that similar models science, policy and democracy to address the are now being developed by others – not only UK challenges of our age. I look forward to working with universities and RCUK initiatives like PaCCS (the you, and many others, in this collective endeavour. Partnership for Conflict, Crime and Security Research), but also internationally. 1 Collaborating on risk and innovation in international settings A meeting between Huw Price Kenan Poleo “The work we have Huw Price and Kenan By studying extreme risks that may result There are few development opportunities in the policy world that blossom into taken forward around Poleo helped establish from technological advances, the Centre tangible outcomes so rapidly as CSaP’s Policy Fellowships Programme. Starting risk and hazard with closer links between for the Study of Existential Risk (CSER) from broad questions relevant to my role as Head of the FCO’s Science and Huw Price has linked scientists and policy aims to contribute to the safe development Innovation Network in Europe, CSaP gave me access to a diverse network of closely with my team’s makers in the UK and of transformative technologies. A key practitioners, academics, experts and emerging talent. All had views to share – work in supporting Germany aim for 2014 was to begin building sometimes refreshingly challenging – and there were many opportunities to Sir Mark Walport’s first strong connections with policy makers follow up. annual report published Professor Huw Price and scientific research networks across in 2014” Bertrand Russell Professor of the EU. The work we have taken forward around risk and hazard with Huw Price and his Philosophy, University of Kenan Poleo Cambridge centre is a prime example. This has linked closely with my team’s work in Through a meeting with CSaP Policy Fellow supporting Sir Mark Walport’s report Innovation: managing risk, Kenan Poleo Regional Director, UK Science Kenan Poleo, we gained the support of the not avoiding it, published at the end of 2014. and Innovation Network FCO’s Science and Innovation Network (SIN), Foreign and Commonwealth and this proved vital to the achievement of our In addition, meetings with world-leading experts at Office aims. SIN took part in our Berlin workshop on the Institute for Manufacturing have led to further Extreme Technological Risks, and in turn invited a exploration on how we better represent the UK number of our attendees and CSER’s academics to as a nation that makes and develops ground- participate in a related FCO event on Managing Risk in breaking technology – including Professor Biotechnology Innovation. Both events were a great success, Sir Mike Gregory’s discussions on the future helping to establish closer links between scientists and policy researchers of European manufacturing with German in the UK and Germany on rapidly evolving topics where international dialogue and Swiss policy makers and R&D is crucial. leaders at the Royal Academy of Engineering in November. The FCO gave insights into the nuances of current UK and German science and risk policy, and facilitated collaboration with the German government; and In taking up my new position as Head of by coordinating our plans with their programme, we had the opportunity to International and EU Programmes at explore a wider range of relevant topics and establish deeper relationships with Innovate UK, I will continue to reach out several key academics. to the experts and leaders I met in Cambridge around how to build UK As CSER’s international research network continues to grow, we look forward to excellence in innovation. The intense week working with the FCO again – building on the relationship which started through of meetings and discussions organised by engagement with CSaP. CSaP was only the beginning of what is growing into a network of relevant and mutually supporting contacts and colleagues. 2 3 Achieving practical outcomes for affordable housing A Policy Workshop on Michael Oxley Mavis McDonald “There was a real affordable housing led The CSaP workshop brought together a diverse group of motivated, well- There have been enough major analytical appetite amongst the to the formation of a informed, and influential individuals, and catalysed a campaign to achieve studies of how the housing market works practice-based group which has practical outcomes for affordable housing. Attendees included government, and how it interacts with the planning participants to take the continued to pool its housing associations, the Joseph Rowntree Foundation, the Home Builders system and mortgage availability; what discussion forward in expertise with the aim Federation, and academics from Cambridge, Sheffield and De Montfort is needed now are practical experiments practical ways that will of achieving practical Universities – a mix of research and practice professionals which was vital to exploring how to increase housing supply. result in more houses outcomes the dynamism and energy of the workshop. being built” These were the main conclusions Professor Michael Oxley Professor Michael Oxley Discussions covered the viability of tax incentives to boost affordable rented reached by the energetic discussions Director of the Cambridge housing; practical steps for increasing house building and improving that CSaP convened in October, and the Centre for Housing and Planning Research, Department for Land affordability; what can be learned from other systems (US and first follow-up meeting in December. There Economy, University of French); and how to promote appreciation of policy options was a significant measure of agreement that Cambridge for boosting housing supply. seeking practical ways to increase supply was Dame Mavis McDonald the most productive route to achieving results on Trustee of the Joseph Rowntree Above all, the workshop sparked a desire to turn the ground. Foundation and former Permanent Secretary conversation into real-life outcomes. The focus of follow-up meetings is an action plan for We need to understand why some areas succeed in experimental projects to deliver additional increasing supply while others fail, even when both places affordable housing without public subsidy. might be enjoying economic growth. Drawing on current experience and knowledge of projects in the pipeline, these would be In short, the initial workshop facilitated by practical lessons which could be passed on to others, whether local CSaP has led to the formation of a authorities, Local Enterprise Partnerships or city deal consortia. coalition motivated by the desire to deliver practical positive outcomes for The group’s approach moves away from the often sterile debates where the affordable housing and underpinned by key players in the public and private sectors have either sought to blame each academic research. The diverse roles of other or have simply sought to increase government funding. It seeks to draw the individuals and organisations involved, on the experience of those who have been and currently are successful in and in particular the presence of policy increasing supply. This does not mean some well-founded further analysis will professionals, has given the project a real not be helpful but it is only a possible part of any solution; research must be opportunity to translate high-quality research linked with practical measures in order to achieve beneficial outcomes.
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