POST E-reports

E-reports

They arise out of POST's participation in exercises involving other organisations with an interest in science, technology or parliamentary issues.

E-15, September 2008, Reshaping the Human Condition (pdf 1.8MB) (pdf 1.8MB)
This report was published by the Rathenau Institute, Netherlands in collaboration with the Foreign and Commonwealth Office's Science and Innovation Network and the Parliamentary Office of Science & Technology, 2008. POST is grateful to Dr Gangani Niyadurupola for her contribution to this project.

E-14, October 2006, Animal Procedures (pdf 143KB)
This report updates E-4, May 2001, Animal Procedures. Use of animals in scientific research is regulated under the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986. In March 2001, the House of Lords convened an ad hoc Select Committee to investigate the workings of this Act and to examine issues relating to the use of animals in research. This note was originally prepared at the request of this Committee and updated in 2006; it provides background briefing on the terms of the 1986 Act, and recent trends in animal use. POST is grateful to Dr Maria Cruz for updating this briefing.

E-13, September 2003, What does it mean to keep the nuclear option open in the UK? (pdf 808KB)
This report is a thesis written by Till Stenzel while working at POST, and formed the basis of POSTnote 208 (pdf 123KB). It has been submitted to the Imperial College of Science, Technology and Medicine as part of Till's MSc in Environmental Technology. The views expressed in the thesis are those of Till Stenzel alone, and do not necessarily represent those of POST. POST is grateful for Till's efforts in this area.

E-12, May 2003, Science and Society: three years on (pdf 91KB)
In May 2003, to mark the third anniversary of the House of Lords Select Committee on Science and Technology report on Science and Society, POST organised a seminar in Westminster to examine developments in the area of public dialogue on science and technology. This report summarises the contributions from speakers and the points raised in discussion.

Other work carried out by POST in this area may also be of interest - POSTnote 189, Public dialogue on science and technology (pdf 131KB) and POST report 153, Open Channels: public dialogue in science and technology. (pdf 51KB)

E-11, September 2003, Valuation of the Global Warming Impacts of UK Aviation (pdf 982KB)
This report is a thesis written by Mark Davis while working at POST, and formed the basis of POSTnote 207 (pdf 116KB). It has been submitted to the Imperial College of Science, Technology and Medicine as part of Mark's MSc in Environmental Technology. The views expressed in the thesis are those of Mark Davis alone, and do not necessarily represent those of POST. POST is grateful for Mark's efforts in this area.

E-10, July 2003, Research and policy -a review by Alister Scott (pdf 307KB)
This report is a paper by Alister Scott produced while working with POST, and was used as an input to POSTnote 196 (pdf 141KB). The views expressed in the paper are those of Alister Scott alone, and do not necessarily represent those of POST. POST is grateful for Alister's efforts in this area.

E-9, November 2002, Infectious Disease - EMBL conference (pdf 93KB)
A conference in Heidelberg on 8-9 November 2002 brought together over 100 researchers from a wide variety of backgrounds to discuss challenges, threats and responsibilities in the field of infectious diseases. This report summarises the main themes emerging from the conference.

E-8, October 2002, The potential for renewable hydrogen as a transport fuel for the UK (pdf 315KB)
E-8 Annex C (pdf 31KB) E-8 Annex D (pdf 42KB)
This report is a thesis written by Jo Howes while on secondment to POST, and formed the basis of POSTnote 186 (pdf 249KB). It has been submitted to the Imperial College of Science, Technology and Medicine Centre for Environmental Technology as part of Jo's MSc in Environmental Technology. The views expressed in the thesis are those of Jo Howes alone, and do not necessarily represent those of POST. POST is grateful for Jo's efforts in this area.

E-7, June 2002, Floodforum.net - content analysis (pdf 204KB)
This report by Dr Karen Bickerstaff and Katherine Haynes of the Centre for Environmental Risk, School of Environmental Sciences, University of East Anglia, presents an analysis of the Floodforum.net web-based dialogue. The report sets out the background to the dialogue and, based on a full content analysis of all contributions to the Floodforum, summarises the major issues arising from the debate, and reflects on differing experiences, perspectives and understandings. At various points in the analysis comments are made which refer to issues or suggestions that hold particular relevance for the management and communication of flood risk.

E-6, April 2002, Floodforum.net - summary (pdf 140KB)
During January and February 2002, POST commissioned an online discussion ( floodforum.net) examining the causes, consequences and communication of flooding. Flooding in the UK puts at risk up to five million people and causes damage estimated at around £800million each year. A number of possible causes of flooding are suggested: building on floodplains, alterations to river channels, changes in rainfall patterns and changes in agricultural and land management practice. Climate change is also predicted to increase flooding risk. This report summarises the discussion on floodforum.net.

A shorter summary of the discussion can also be found in POSTnote 177, Floodforum.net - on online discussion (pdf 244KB)

E-5, September 2001, UK Electricity Networks (pdf 1.9MB) (pdf 1.9MB)
This report is a thesis written by Scott Butler while on secondment to POST, and formed the basis of POSTnote 163 (pdf 277KB). It has been submitted to the Imperial College of Science, Technology and Medicine Centre for Environmental Technology as part of Scott's MSc in Environmental Technology. The views expressed in the thesis are those of Scott Butler alone, and do not necessarily represent those of POST. POST is grateful for Scott's efforts in this area.

E-4, May 2001, Animal Procedures (pdf 243KB)
Use of animals in scientific research is regulated under the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986. In March 2001, the House of Lords convened an ad hoc Select Committee to investigate the workings of this Act and to examine issues relating to the use of animals in research. This note was prepared at the request of this Committee; it provides background briefing on the terms of the 1986 Act, and recent trends in animal use.

E-3, October 2000, Air passenger numbers and characteristics (pdf 186KB)
Statistical information on air passenger numbers and characteristics. Collected for the House of Lords Science and Technology Committee inquiry into the Air Travel and Health. Also a supplementary paper (pdf 62KB) giving further detail on some of the issues raised.

E-2, June 1999, GM crops and foods update - visit report (pdf 117KB)
In May 1997 the United States Information Service (USIS) invited a number of UK 'opinion formers' to visit the US to discuss the issues surrounding genetically modified (GM) foods. A member of POST's staff was among those invited to meet with American regulators, farmers, trade associations, scientists, biotechnology companies, journalists and consumer / environmental groups. This note summarises the key themes that emerged over the course of the weeklong visit.

E-1, December 1998, Data protection - on-line discussion (pdf 78KB)
In July 1998, POST initiated its first ever parliamentary online conference. This was designed to solicit the views of relevant stakeholders regarding the issues surrounding the Data Protection Bill currently before the UK Parliament. The object of the exercise was not to influence the content of the Bill but rather to provide direction during its subsequent implementation after enactment. A secondary, though separate, function of the exercise was to contribute experimentally to ongoing developments concerning ' electronic government' , as discussed in the 1998 POST report (pdf 55KB).