![Science Policy
– about science itself
Health and Safety regulations
Regulations on use of Radioactive isotopes and radiation
Human Tissues Act 2008
- working with human tissues
Human Fertilisation and Embryology Act 2008
- working with human gametes and embryos
Legislation regulating experiments with animals
[EU regulations – pesticides; chemicals]
Some policies that affect the way that scientists workSome policies that affect the way that scientists work](https://image.slidesharecdn.com/na1introductionslidesmereading2016-160913115145/85/Policy-Workshop-Introduction-by-Dr-Michael-Elves-4-320.jpg)
Policy Workshop Introduction by Dr Michael Elves
- 1. AN INTRODUCTIONTOAN INTRODUCTIONTO SCIENCE POLICYSCIENCE POLICY Newton’s AppleNewton’s Apple www.newtons-apple.org.ukwww.newtons-apple.org.uk Science Policy WorkshopScience Policy Workshop University of Reading 2016University of Reading 2016
- 2. Today we aim to show that your research and experience can have a policy impact how the UK science/policy interface operates What politicians and civil servants do on science related issues how you can get involved in shaping science policy and scientific evidence- based policy
- 3. Some Science policy issues The budget and priorities for Government spending on science How science and technology priorities are decided Organisation of Research Councils Regulation of scientific research Use of Scientific evidence for departmental policies Advisory committees in Departments
- 4. Science Policy – about science itself Health and Safety regulations Regulations on use of Radioactive isotopes and radiation Human Tissues Act 2008 - working with human tissues Human Fertilisation and Embryology Act 2008 - working with human gametes and embryos Legislation regulating experiments with animals [EU regulations – pesticides; chemicals] Some policies that affect the way that scientists workSome policies that affect the way that scientists work
- 5. Some policies which need scientific input - 1 Energy generation – nuclear,renewable,fracking Technical standards for traded goods Human reproductive techniques Public health Tuberculosis in Cattle and role of Badgers Sustainable food production International development projects Transport developments and safety
- 6. Some policies which need scientific input- 2 Pollution and Air Quality Noise pollution and control Spending on space – satellites for earth observation etc Cyber crime International climate change decisions Water management, nationally and internationally Building regulations Land use and management
- 7. Giving Effect to Policy – the Roles Parliament Gives effect to Policy through legislation Government Devises and develops Policy
- 8. Government Structure Secretaries of State Ministers Parliamentary Under Secretaries Civil servants – including Chief Scientists Elected MPs or appointed Peers from political party in office Impartial Prime Minister
- 9. Some Government Departments using Science-based Evidence • Department for Business, Innovation and Skills • Department of Health • Environment, Food and Rural Affairs • Home Office • International Development • Department for Transport
- 10. Sources of S&T input to Government Government Chief Scientific Adviser (GCSA) and Chief Scientists within Departments Government Executive Agencies Part of a Government Department - eg UK Space Agency, Defence Science and Technology Laboratory, Criminal Records Bureau, Public Health England Task forces, advisory groups / reviews Short-term, created to give expert advice on specific issues
- 11. Executive and Advisory Non-Departmental Public Bodies (NDPBs) (or Quasi Autonomous non-governmental bodies (Quangos)) Not part of Government Appointed by Parliament Long-term remit e.g. Environment Agency, English Nature, Human Tissue Authority, NHS England, National Measurement and Regulation Office Sources of S&T input to Government
- 12. Sources of S&T input to Government Non-Ministerial Departments (NMDs) Deliver particular Government functions Arms length from Government and report to Parliament Long-term remit e.g. Food Standards, UK Statistics Agency, HMRC, UK Trade and Investment
- 13. 700+ NDPBs and NMDs now reduced 330 106 abolished so far – includes the RDAs 150 merged into 70 Roles of others taken over by other Governmental bodies Some privatised Process is continuing Sorces of S&T input to Government
- 14. Other Scientific Organisations influencing policy… • National Academies • Pressure groups, think tanks etc • Chartered Institutes, Learned Societies, Trade Associations, Professional Federations
- 15. Department of Business, Innovation and Skills The Science Budget and funding the Research Councils Sponsoring and funding HEFCE to give students the skills needed to compete in a global employment market - ensuring UK workforce has necessary skills Policy on innovation - supporting UK’s science and research based industry Ensuring that consumer law is fair for both consumers and businesses Responsible for: Supporting British businesses to increase productivity and compete anywhere in the world Better regulation - cutting the amount of regulation and making it easy to understand
- 16. Government Office for Science Ensures Government Policy is underpinned by robust scientific evidence. Reviews Government funded science, works across all Departments. Headed up by the Government Chief Scientific Adviser (GCSA)
- 17. Government Office for Science Responsible for: Giving scientific advice to the Prime Minister and Cabinet Members Ensuring and improving the quality and use of scientific evidence and advice in government – by creating and supporting connections between officials and the STEM community. Providing the best scientific advice in the case of emergencies, through the Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies (SAGE) Helping the independent Council for Science and Technology (CST) provide high level advice to the Prime Minister
- 18. The Council for Science and Technology Senior figures in Science, Engineering and Technology from academia and industry. Independent advisory body Advises Prime Minister and Cabinet Responds to Government requests for information and advice Can also set its own agenda Holds inquiries; gets research done; produces reports Publishes its deliberations on its website
- 19. Input on scientific issues to influence policy Special advisers (political appointments) Established scientific groups – e.g climate change panel Royal Society etc Learned Societies Parliamentary Select Committees Research groups in universities Companies lobbyists you
- 20. Parliament 827 Peers Life or hereditary (92) and 26 C of E Bishops 650 Members of Parliament Elected Appointed
- 21. Party Manifesto discussions Drafting the Bill Government Royal Commissions Select Committee Reports Select Committee Pre-Legislative Scrutiny Opportunities to engage with Policy The formulation stage = points where input into policy can be made Green Paper White Paper Departmental consultations Public Consultation
- 22. Parliament Private Members Bill Publication House of Commons First Reading Second Reading Committee Stage Third Reading Report Stage D E B A T E S Early Day Motions Select Committee Reports House of Lords Third Reading First Reading Second Reading Committee Stage Report Stage Royal Assent Act of Parliament Opportunities to engage with Policy The Parliamentary stages in Law making = points where input into policy can be made
- 23. Influencing Science policy in ParliamentInfluencing Science policy in Parliament - Groups established to address specialist interests - All Party Parliamentary Groups - Parliamentary Office for Science and Technology (non-partisan) (POST) - Parliamentary and Scientific Committee:- MPs, Peers, Industrialists, Academics and Individual members - S&T Select Committees in the House of Commons and the House of Lords - Individual MPs and Lords
- 24. Engaging with policy Be aware of how your own research has a context in local, regional and national policy Work with your local MP - Early day motions. Private Members Bills, etc Become involved in the policy work of your learned society or trade association by providing information and views on issues Provide input into reports, consultations and calls for evidence
- 25. Engaging with policy Does it work? Can the scientist be influential on policy and law making? But - Parliament and Government must balance views from different directions and with different agendas in formulating policy Some examples of a positive effect Light Pollution and effect on Astronomy – Human Fertilisation and Embryology Act 2008 Protection for researchers using animals Growing acceptance of GM Saving MRI from damaging regulations
- 26. Engaging with policy But sometimes “politics” can get in the way of “Policy” – despite the scientific evidence Example - Improving Air Quality vs the Diesel Lobby
- 28. Government Office for Science Risk Innovation Trade & Finance Structure Energy Energy Climate & Change Life Course Cities Life Course Cities DD Data & Analytics Resilience Infrastructure Support for Sage Profession Leadership & support Science Capability CST Secretariat Foresight Projects Horizon Scanning Project Development Office