Lords inquiry to examine UK science and technology strategy and what it means to be a “science superpower”
Monday 21 February 2022
On Tuesday 22 February, the House of Lords Science and Technology Committee will hold its first evidence session into its new inquiry: Delivering a UK science and technology strategy.
The public evidence session will take place at 10.15am (GMT) on Tuesday 22 February 2022 and can be viewed live on Parliament TV.
The Committee will hear from people across the science and technology policy field including academics and a former government minister on the strengths and weaknesses of the UK’s research and development landscape, and where current science and technology policy fits in an international and historical context.
The Committee will ask the witnesses how they think increased government funding for research and development should be allocated and what becoming a “science superpower” should look like.
10:15am
- Professor James Wilsdon, Digital Science Professor of Research Policy, University of Sheffield
- Dr Beth Thompson MBE, Associate Director, Policy. Wellcome Trust
- Rt Hon. Lord Willetts, former Minster of State for Universities and Science from May 2010 – July 2014, Department for Business, Innovation and Skills.
11:15am
- Professor Sarah Main CBE, Executive Director, Campaign for Science and Engineering (CaSE)
- Professor Graeme Reid, Chair of Science and Research Policy, University College London
- Gavin Costigan, Chief Executive, Foundation for Science and Technology
Possible question areas include
- The strengths and weaknesses of the UK’s research and development landscape.
- Where increased research and development funding should be targeted.
- What it means to be a “science superpower” and how to measure it.
- Whether the Government has a coherent plan to make the UK a “science superpower”.
- How the UK compares internationally, and what it can learn from other countries.
