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scientific infrastructure

Providing the tools for tomorrow's research

25 June 2013

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Experts in scientific research and funding will appear before the House of Lords Science and Technology Committee on Tuesday 25 June, as part of its investigation into the state of scientific infrastructure in the UK

The Chief Executive of the Science and Technologies Facilities Council, and the Chair of Research Councils UK Research Group, will be among those to give evidence before the committee.

Over two sessions, the particular focus will be on governance structures and the mechanisms in place to deliver world class infrastructure which enables the UK to deliver internationally competitive science. The committee will also ask what evidence there is for the return on investment in infrastructure – for the economy and wider society.

The evidence sessions will begin on Tuesday 25 June 2013 at 10.40am in Committee Room 4 of the House of Lords.

Witnesses

At 10.40am:

  • Dr Graeme Reid, Head of Research Funding, Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS);
  • Anne-Marie Coriat, Chair of Research Councils UK Research Group, Head of Science Programmes, Medical Research Councils (MRC); and
  • David Sweeney, Director, Research, Innovation and Skills, Higher Education Funding Council for England (HEFCE).

At 11.40am:

  • Professor John Womersley, Chief Executive, the Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC);
  • Professor John Loughhead FREng FCGI OBE, Imperial College London, Executive Director UK Energy Research Centre (UKERC); and
  • Professor David De Roure, Director of Oxford e-Research Centre, Professor of e-Research, National Strategic Director for Digital Social Research, University of Oxford.

Issues

The committee will explore a range of issues, including:

  • Who has responsibility for investment in scientific infrastructure in the UK? 
  • Are governance structures and the funding of scientific infrastructure appropriate for long term planning? 
  • Does the Government have a sufficiently long term and strategic plan for investment in infrastructure?

Further information