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Voice of the Future - ORC scientist pitches questions to top politicians and policy makers
Dr Katrina Morgan, a research fellow from the University of Southampton's Optoelectronics Research Centre, took to Portcullis House this week to question the Minister of State for Universities, Science, Research and Innovation on how the UK science policies will facilitate the growth and development of technological innovation through research institutes, spin-outs and smaller enterprises.
Katrina, 27, was selected to attend this year's Voice of the Future as a representative of The Royal Society.
The annual event in Westminster, which took place on the 15th March and was organised by the Royal Society of Biology, saw school students through to postdoctoral researchers pitch their questions to top politicians and policy makers.
This year’s questions covered a whole range of topics including equality initiatives in science, a north-south divide in UK science funding and the impact of the current international political landscape on science policies.
Katrina pitched her question to Minister of State for Universities, Science, Research and Innovation, Jo Johnson MP, who outlined government initiatives to create a business-friendly and competitive R&D tax environment. Over 20,000 companies, many of which are SMEs, benefit from R&D tax credit, which as a tax relief, costs the government £2.4 bn pounds a year; a sign of the government’s commitment to supporting R&D. Patent box, a popular tax regime, enables profits on certain patents to have a tax rate of only 10% on revenues they generate, contributing to UK innovation. The event was filmed for Parliamentary TV and can be watched in full at: http://www.parliamentlive.tv/Event/Index/6f9a7ff2-7c4a-4706-a979-c7affd766868 (for Katrina's question, skip to 15:33)
Speaking after the event, Katrina said:
"I was incredibly honoured to represent such a prestigious and historical fellowship, The Royal Society, at an event such as this. Voice of the Future, unique in its kind, is a fantastic event which brings early career researchers into the discussion of science and policy within this country. Just days after article 50 cleared parliament, this event came at a time of political unknown, with a large focus on how Brexit will effect the scientific community, research and funding. Another large area of discussion focused on the challenges that women in STEM face. There was a common agreement that there are many issues that occur at all stages throughout a woman’s life and career."
The afternoon saw over 60 representatives across four sessions pitch their questions to Sir Mark Walport, the Government Chief Scientific Advisor, Minister of State for Universities, Science, Research and Innovation Jo Johnson MP, Shadow Minister for Industrial Strategy Chi Onwurah MP and the House of Commons Science & Technology Committee.
The event was held in the Boothroyd Room, a room which has previously seen prime ministers as well as eminent researchers and experts deliver evidence to politicians and policymakers.
Dr Stephen Benn, the Royal Society of Biology’s director of parliamentary affairs, describes the importance of Voice of the Future: “This is a unique event – in no other part of Parliament is the normal select committee format completely reversed so that MPs, the Minister and the Shadow Minister have to answer questions rather than ask them.
“It is important that policy makers use reliable evidence in their decisions, and today’s young scientists and engineers will be a vital part of this in the future.”
Further information:
Voice of the Future: www.rsb.org.uk/VOF2017
Voice of the Future is an annual event organised by the Royal Society of Biology. Voice of the Future 2017 included up to six representatives from the following organisations: Biochemical Society, British Ecological Society, British Pharmacological Society, Campaign for Science & Engineering, Council for the Mathematical Sciences, Institution of Chemical Engineers, Institute of Physics, Open University, Royal Academy of Engineering, Royal Astronomical Society, Royal Society of Biology, Royal Society of Chemistry, Royal Society of Edinburgh, RSE Young Academy of Scotland, SCI, Society for Applied Microbiology, Society for Experimental Biology, The Geological Society, The Nutrition Society, The Royal Society, The Physiological Society, Wallington High School for Girls and Queens Park Community School Academy Trust.
The Royal Society of Biology: www.rsb.org.uk
The Royal Society of Biology is a single unified voice for biology: advising Government and influencing policy; advancing education and professional development; supporting our members, and engaging and encouraging public interest in the life sciences. The Society represents a diverse membership of individuals, learned societies and other organisations.
Posted by rc2c12@sot on 17 Mar 2017.