Science Policy: Improving the Uptake of Research into UK Policy (Virtual)

Owing to the ongoing situation with covid-19, this will be organised as a virtual event.

Science and research is a cornerstone of the economy and a strategic government priority; however, many researchers have little experience in engaging with policy makers. The relationship between the civil service, government and parliament, and their respective functions, can seem complex and opaque to them. At the same time, policy makers can struggle to engage with research, where the policy implications and/or recommendations are buried in technical journal articles or grant reports.

The third event in this series will bring policy makers and academic researchers together to help break down these barriers, encourage mutual understanding, and ultimately enable improved evidence-based policy making. It will provide early career researchers (PhD students, post-doctoral fellows and early career faculty) with an introduction to policymaking, show them how to engage with policy makers, either by their research being used to influence policy or by moving into a career in science policy. We will focus on how policy is made in the UK, with one session focusing on international policy considerations.

The ultimate aim is to build a community of policy-engaged researchers and research-engaged policy makers.

After attending this event, participants will be able to:

• Describe and contrast the basic structure of Parliament and Government
• Follow the legislative process and identify the key moments for influence
• Identify and use the different channels through which evidence can inform policy
• Describe how learned societies, academies and funders can channel the voice of researchers
• Tailor evidence to suit the needs of different types of policy makers
• Adapt your own research plans to maximise the impact on policy
• Connect with policy-makers and researchers who are seeking to influence policy

The programme will start at approximately 10am on Monday 24 August and finish at approximately 1pm on Wednesday 26 August 2020. All times are given in British Summer Time. See the time where you are here.

Topics will include:

• How does research inform policy?
• Getting evidence to where it’s needed
• The role of intermediaries in policy making
• International science policy
• How to influence policy as a researcher
• A career in science policy
• Meet the Parliamentarians – panel discussion with Q&A

A draft programme will be available soon.

Programme Committee

Harry Beeson
House of Commons Science and Technology Committee, UK

Sarion Bowers
Wellcome Sanger Institute, UK

Philippa Brice
PHG Foundation, UK

Hayley Clissold
Wellcome Sanger Institute, UK

Speakers

Harry Beeson – House of Commons Science and Technology Committee, UK
Sarion Bowers – Wellcome Sanger Institute, UK
Philippa Brice – PHG Foundation, UK
Alessandro Coatti – Royal Society of Biology, UK
Mindy Dulai – Royal Society of Chemistry, UK
Helen Ferrier – National Farmers Union, UK
Grant Hill-Cawthorne – Parlimentary Office of Science and Technology, UK
Alex Hulme – Academy of Medical Science, UK
Alice Jamieson – Wellcome, UK
Liz Killen – Government Office for Science, UK
Harriet Wallace – Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, UK

Panellists
Vinous Ali – TechUK
Amarpreet Kaur – University of Cambridge, UK
Robin Lovell-Badge – Francis Crick Institute, UK
Julian Huppert  – University of Cambridge, UK
Alex Randall – Ministry of Defence, UK

ACSC team

Jemma Hume  – Conference & Events Organiser
Treasa Creavin – Scientific Programme Manager

Prerequisites
Attendees should be PhD students, post-doctoral fellows or faculty with an interest in science policy in the UK. International attendees are welcome, however the main emphasis will be on how policy is made in the UK (there will be one session focusing on international policy).

How to Register
Please follow the registration instructions. If you have any problems with the process, please contact us.

Register

Registration deadline: 17 August 2020

The virtual registration package includes: Access to all live-streamed sessions (including online networking channels), as well as access to all sessions ‘on-demand’ for four weeks after the event.

*To increase the international diversity of attendees at our meetings, we have reduced fees for delegates from Lower and Middle Income Countries (see list of countries here)

Feedback from previous participants:

“It has been a great course. The balance of talks and group work were a great way to keep the course varied”

“The networking opportunities were abundant and helpful to course attendees in
developing routes into policy”

“Particular highlights were the MP sessions (brilliant to get a chance to speak to a group of MPs in a relaxed environment) and the policy as a career discussion”

“The course was great – really interesting, pitched at a suitable level, and improved my insight of the process by which scientific evidence may be used to influence policy”