313 - Large scientific facilities (pdf 111KB)
Four page POSTnote, July 2008
Since 2000, the government has allocated over £800m to constructing ten new large scientific facilities, with £270m earmarked for five future projects. These facilities are planned and operated over long timescales, often involving international collaboration, and have a significant economic impact. This POSTnote describes the system used by the UK to plan new large scientific facilities. It gives examples of facilities both current and planned, highlighting relevant policy issues.
309 - International migration of scientists and engineers (pdf 129KB)
Four page POSTnote, June 2008
Global competition for scientists and engineers (S&Es) is rising as their role in economic development is increasingly recognised. Many countries are looking to S&Es from overseas to address skills gaps: in February 2008 introduction of new immigration laws favouring some categories of skilled migrant began in the UK. This note looks at the causes and impacts of migration of S&Es, focusing on the developing world, where they play a key role in tackling poverty reduction.
277 - Strategic science (pdf 133KB)
Four page POSTnote, January 2007
As the Prime Minister stated in November this year "science will be as important to our economic future as stability." Indeed, science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) were among the higher education (HE) subjects identified in 2005 as being strategically important and vulnerable. Set against this background are downward trends in the numbers of students studying certain STEM subjects and closures of STEM departments in UK universities. This POSTnote outlines trends in STEM education and the possible reasons for them, and looks at their significance in terms of supply and demand of STEM qualifications. It also examines issues concerned with closures of university STEM departments.
260-Debating science (pdf 120KB)
Four page POSTnote, March 2006
Recent years have seen an increased awareness of the importance of public engagement with science and technology (S&T). The science to be funded, how it should be carried out and how it should be used and regulated are all debated questions. But what is meant by public engagement? Can public engagement in policy be effectively achieved without a wider dialogue between scientists and the public? How have methods of public engagement developed, and at what stage in the S&T process are they best applied? How do policy-makers take into account public opinion when using and regulating S&T?
224-The European Research Area (pdf 130KB)
Four page POSTnote, July 2004
Research and development (R&D) is central to UK and European Union (EU) policy to build a competitive, knowledge based, economy. EU policy is focused on the development of the European Research Area (ERA) and an initiative to raise average research expenditure to 3% GDP by 2010. This note examines the extent to which involvement in the European Research Area may help the UK to achieve its own R&D goals.
220-Handling uncertainty in scientific advice (pdf 141KB)
Four page POSTnote, June 2004
Handling risk and uncertainty in the fields of science and technology (S&T) underpins much of the work of government and its scientific advisory system. There have recently been moves to develop a more sophisticated understanding of scientific uncertainty and its treatment. This POSTnote looks at how uncertainty is best handled in the provision of scientific advice, in decision-making and in communicating with the public.
216 - Scientific capacity in developing countries (pdf 120KB)
Four page POSTnote, March 2004
Poverty, disease and environmental degradation hamper development in many countries and science and technology (S&T) can contribute towards addressing these problems. However, many developing countries have limited capacity to identify where and how S&T can help to tackle their problems. Development agencies, including the UK Department for International Development (DfID) are looking at ways to assist developing countries to build their S&T capacity as part of reducing poverty. This briefing outlines the link between science, technology and development, and efforts to build developing countries' S&T capacities.
202 - Primary Science (pdf 260KB)
Four page POSTnote, September 2003
Science became a compulsory subject in all state primary schools in England in 1989. There is general agreement that considerable progress has been made since then and government now views primary science education to be a success. There is also, however, concern outside government that advances made in the early years are in danger of being lost. Issues discussed here include: how schools can both develop pupils' interest in science and prepare them for secondary school; the balance needed between teaching factual knowledge and the skills of scientific enquiry; the effects of the SATs tests; and the importance of teachers' scientific knowledge and confidence.
196 - Science in policy (pdf 141KB)
Four page POSTnote, June 2003
Government departments spend ~£1.5 billion per year on research to support policy and delivery of services. Recent reviews by the Government and the National Audit Office found wide variations in how departments procure and use research. This briefing explores how natural and social science research is commissioned and used by government and how it links with policy.
Also see report E-10 (pdf 307KB) for a longer analysis of scientific research in policy making
189 - Public Dialogue in Science and Technology (pdf 131KB)
Four page POSTnote, November 2002
In the past few years many organisations have adopted various forms of ‘public dialogue' to address sensitive areas of scientific and technological policy. In May 2002, in a wide-ranging speech on science and technology, the Prime Minister called for “a robust and engaging dialogue with the public.” This briefing updates POST's previous work in this area , focusing in particular on radioactive waste and GM crops.
In May 2003 POST organised a seminar in Westminster to examine developments in the area of public dialogue on science and technology. This paper (pdf 91KB) summarises the contributions from speakers and the points raised in discussion. Speakers included Lord Jenkin of Roding (Chair of the House of Lords Science and Society inquiry); Professor Sir David King (Government Chief Scientific Adviser); Dr Sara Ward (Executive Director of the ESRC Science in Society programme); and Maria Adebowale (Director of the NGO Capacity).
182 - Peer Review (pdf 260KB)
Four page POSTnote, September 2002
Peer review is the process used to determine how science funding is allocated (£1.6 billion to be distributed by the UK research councils in 2002-03), which research is published and where it is published. It is of interest not only to the scientific community: the trend towards evidence based policy means that peer-reviewed science informs decision making across an increasingly wide range of areas. In recent years a number of high profile cases have emerged highlighting possible flaws in the peer review process. This briefing note describes how peer review operates, provides an overview of its strengths and weaknesses, and considers what improvements might exist.
153 - Open channels: public dialogue in science and technology (pdf 51KB)
Two page POST report summary, March 2001
Full report (pdf 356KB)
Fifty page POST report, March 2001
There is growing interest in engaging the public more directly in policy and decision-making. POST has reviewed recent developments in public dialogue, focussing on science and technology and drawing on experience from elsewhere.
143 - Science Centres (pdf 48KB)
Four page POSTnote, July 2000
The Millennium Commission is investing over £250 million in building new Science Centres in the UK, covering diverse topics from space to life. In parallel, a new Wellcome Wing opened last week at the Science Museum. Issues raised include co-ordination between the centres and ongoing funding. This POST Note explores the content of the new millennium Science Centres and the Wellcome Wing and considers their future.
(Links to Science Centres)
138 - Science in the Media: Press Coverage of GM Food - summary (pdf 30KB)
Two page POST report summary, May 2000
Full report (pdf 301KB)
Fifty-two page POST report, May 2000
Recent years have seen intense media interest in genetically modified (GM) foods. POST and the House of Lords Science and Technology Select Committee commissioned research to investigate media coverage of GM foods over the first six months of 1999. This report details the findings of this research and considers the conclusions drawn.
133 - Women in Science, Engineering and Technology (pdf 101KB)
4 page POST Report summary, January 2000
Full Report (pdf 187KB)
20 page POST report
The Parliamentary Office of Science and Technology (POST) has recently completed its second on-line consultation, on the subject of women in science, engineering and technology (SET). The exercise aimed to inform the ongoing wider debate about the role of women in SET and to test the effectiveness of an e-mail based on-line consultation. This POST Report considers the topics that arose during the discussion and the issues raised by the method of on-line consultation. A draft of the report was given as evidence to the House of Lords Science and Technology Committee (subcommittee II) inquiry into "Science and Society".
99 - Striking a Balance - The Future of Research Dual Support in Higher Education (pdf 52KB)
Four page POST report summary, June 1997
Universities have been very successful at winning research customers (now worth £1.7 billion or more annually). This has, however, been at the expense of infrastructure investment, and there is a growing sense that things cannot go on as they are. Key to resolving this is to understand the old ‘Dual Support' system, where it has gone wrong and what can be done about it.
97 - Science Shaping the Future? - Technology Foresight and its Impacts (pdf 44KB)
Four page POST report summary, June 1997
This report is a review of the Technology Foresight Programme, its impacts and options for the Foresight Programme from 1997 onwards.
96 - Getting Opinion Polls 'Right' (pdf 65KB)
Four page POSTnote, March 1997
With the approaching UK general election, increasing attention is being given to opinion polls, which performed rather poorly in the last election. This note looks at what has been done since then to improve the accuracy of polls and their ability to predict voter behaviour.
83 - The European Union and Research - EU Framework Programmes and National Priorities (pdf 61KB)
Four page POST report summary, October 1996
The European Commission spends around £2 billion (current UK contribution of £380 million) each year on RD under a series of ‘Framework Programmes', the latest of which (FPIV) runs to 1998. Discussions are already underway on its successor, FPV, and to help Parliament to influence the form it takes, POST has reviewed the history and key policy issues involved. For instance, should the historical expansion in both budget and scope be reversed, should there be an increased focus on industrial applications (eg. towards a car or train of the future), and what value for money is obtained by RD via the EU rather than through national Governments?
76 - Patents, Research and Technology - Compatibilities and Conflicts (pdf 50KB)
Four page POST report summary, February 1996
This looks at how the patent system is coping with technologies such as biotechnology and information technology, and at the ethical and practical issues raised and whether these can be handled by the existing system.
74 - Research Institutes and Prior Options (pdf 58KB)
Four page POSTnote, February 1996
Research Institutes set up by the Research Councils to pursue long-term research are being assessed for privatisation. This POSTnote looks at potential implications for the science carried out.
69 - Public Attitudes to Science in the UK (pdf 61KB)
Four page POSTnote, November 1995
Is there a particularly anti-science culture in the UK? This note answers this question, as well as reviewing the extent to which the UK makes effective use of its scientists.
67 - Managing Corporate Chang (pdf 53KB)e
Four page POSTnote, October 1995
Describes all the management ‘buzz words' and their application in British industry.