The new science-focused government agency will take the UK’s international role as a leading research firm to new heights, experts say.
A department dedicated to science, innovation and technology “is a really positive sign that the government is serious about science,” said Martin Smith, head of the Wellcome Policy Laboratory, a health research charity.
According to Downing Street, the new department will focus on turning scientific and technical innovation into practical, applicable solutions to make the UK the most innovative economy in the world.
The department is led by Michelle Donelan, who was appointed the first female secretary of state.
“Putting science at the center of government is recognizing that key success factors for the UK at home and abroad are rooted in research,” Mr Smith said.
“When it comes to the biggest global issues like Covid and climate change, research is key. Through research, the UK could become a global force for good in these areas. This is a great opportunity to make science an important part of what the UK does.”
“The new Secretary of State will need to quickly make the Department the driving force behind the science agenda in Whitehall. Science is important to all governments, and by taking a seat at the Cabinet table, it can draw attention to this issue. There is broad agreement that research is an engine of economic growth and health related to security, net zero, cleantech and climate change.”
The numbers in the scientific community are debunking I what should the new department be directed to:
Skyline Europe
Academia agrees that the top priority for the new Department of Science, Innovation and Technology is to complete the UK’s partnership with Horizon Europe, the EU’s £84bn research and innovation funding scheme.
Experts say this will allow the UK to participate in leading research projects.
Hetan Shah, Chief Executive of the British Academy, said: “At the top of the new department’s mailbox is the constant desire to join Horizon Europe. The scientific and research community agrees that participation is the key to long-term collaboration and a new generation of research.”
Mr Smith added: “At the top of the agenda should be supporting British researchers to work with partners around the world. The ready basis for this is the Horizon Europe program, which also includes countries outside of Europe such as Japan and New Zealand. Join Unfortunately, wider negotiations between the UK and the EU on the Northern Ireland Protocol are blocking UK membership and contingency plans. But even as it prepares for the worst, the government must keep the door open for joining Horizon.”
ethics of technology
Mr. Shah said that a key priority for the new department is to address issues of ethics, regulations and behavior related to new technologies.
He said the department might be thinking: “How can the UK become a leader in the ethical regulation of AI or self-driving cars? What are the technology and research requirements for an 80 percent service economy like ours?”
According to him, the new government team should turn to philosophers, lawyers, anthropologists, engineers and physicists.
help small businesses
Dr. Daniel Rathbone, Campaign Deputy Director for Science and Technology, said the Department of Science, Innovation and Technology must ensure that these businesses are adequately supported.
Changes to the R&D tax credit are coming as the government intends to simplify the system from two schemes to one. However, the Treasury Department has already acknowledged that the reform “poses challenges for some small and medium-sized enterprises active in research and development, especially in the life sciences, and believes that there are grounds for further support.”
“Any further changes will be announced in the usual manner at a future financial event,” the Treasury Department said last month.
Regional innovations
Dr Tim Bradshaw, CEO of the Russell Group, a public research university group, said: “We hope the new Foreign Secretary will take the opportunity to use the spring budget to support the development of more innovation clusters to boost jobs and investment across the UK. built on the talent and research of our leading universities.”
Innovation clusters refer to companies and organizations around research universities in the UK. You can help revive the regional economy.
An example of the Russell Group is the University of Sheffield, working with Doncaster Sheffield Airport to develop a local area with the potential to create up to 35,000 jobs and 3,000 new homes by 2037 at a cost of £6.5bn to build the local economy.
Green Skills
for Dr. Emily Grossman, science spokesperson and resident expert on The Alan Titchmarsh Showshould be a priority for the government to ensure that enough people are trained for the UK’s transition to a green economy.
The best-selling author and co-founder of Extinction Scientists said: “As our government knows, it is important that we do everything we can to accelerate the transition to the grid if we are to prevent the most catastrophic effects of climate change. a crisis. zero savings. Decarbonization is key.
“However, we also urgently need to address the fact that we currently do not have enough people trained in the relevant skills needed for the new green economy. For example, plumbers who can install heat pumps, or people trained in forestry who will help us reach our tree planting goals.
“The Ministry of Science, Innovation and Technology’s investment in this ‘green skills gap’ at this critical time could create hundreds of thousands of jobs and apprenticeships that will be critical to the transition to a green economy.”
immigration policy
Mr. Smith said that immigration policy is very important for globally mobile researchers.
“But at the moment the UK has an incredibly expensive visa regime. Michelle Donelan should work to bring down the cost of UK visas so that we can attract the best researchers from around the world to continue our work here.”
Professor Sir Peter Bruce, Vice-President of the Royal Society, agreed that the department should remove barriers to international cooperation. He called for a reform of the visa system to make the initial costs of applying to work and study in the UK comparable to other leading countries.
financing
The scientific world is looking forward to the budget of the new department.
Professor Bruce said: “A long-term vision for science and innovation and a commitment to providing funding comparable to that of leading scientific nations is essential to ensure stability and attract investment and international talent to the UK.”
Best Collaboration
Professor Dame Ottoline Leiser, Executive Director of Research and Innovation UK, said the department should prioritize building a fully unified system of scientific innovation and research across the country, “spanning all disciplines and sectors, linking discovery to prosperity and the public interest.”
“This includes the world’s leading medical research and climate change science, as well as the latest advances in artificial intelligence and our thriving creative industries.”
“This initiative will benefit world-class talent and skills across the public, private and third sectors, and will prioritize a high-performance, fast-growing economy with innovative public services and quality jobs for citizens across the UK. Everyone wins, from elementary school students to nursing home residents. This is a joint national effort.”
Source: I News
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