policy workshop introduction by dr michael elves
TRANSCRIPT
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AN INTRODUCTION TO AN INTRODUCTION TO SCIENCE POLICYSCIENCE POLICY
Newton’s AppleNewton’s Applewww.newtons-apple.org.ukwww.newtons-apple.org.uk
Science Policy WorkshopScience Policy WorkshopUniversity of Reading 2016University of Reading 2016
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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Giving Effect to Policy – the Roles
ParliamentGives effect to Policy through legislation
GovernmentDevises and develops Policy
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Government Structure
Secretaries of State
Ministers
Parliamentary UnderSecretaries
Civil servants – including Chief Scientists
Elected MPs or appointed Peers
from political party in office
Impartial
Prime Minister
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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Other Scientific Organisations influencing policy…
• National Academies
• Pressure groups, think tanks etc
• Chartered Institutes, Learned Societies, Trade Associations, Professional Federations
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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
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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)
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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
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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
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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
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Parliament
827 Peers Life or hereditary (92) and
26 C of E Bishops
650 Members of Parliament
Elected Appointed
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Party Manifesto discussions
Drafting the Bill
Government
Royal Commission
s
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
PublicConsultation
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Parliament
Private Members
BillPublication
House of Commons
First Readin
g
Second Reading
Committee Stage
Third Reading
Report Stage
DEBATES
Early Day
Motions
Select Committee Reports
House of Lords
Third Readin
g
First Readin
g
Second Reading
Committee Stage
Report Stage
Royal Assen
t
Actof
Parliament
Opportunities to engage with Policy
The Parliamentary stages in Law making
= points where input into policy can be made
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Influencing Science policy in Influencing Science policy in ParliamentParliament
- 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
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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
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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 effectLight Pollution and effect on Astronomy – Human Fertilisation and Embryology Act 2008Protection for researchers using animalsGrowing acceptance of GMSaving MRI from damaging regulations
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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
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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 &
supportScience Capability
CST Secretariat
Foresight Projects
Horizon Scanning
Project Development
Office