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Professor John Beddington, the Government's Chief Scientific Adviser (GCSA) is head of the Government Office for Science and provides independent advice to the Prime Minister on scientific issues. Among other things, the GCSA is responsible for co-ordination of science policy across Government and with the Devolved Administrations and the Government's international S&T policy.
COST is a European wide support scheme set up by a Ministerial conference in 1971 to encourage co-operation in S&T. There are now 34 participating countries including the 15 Member States of the European Community.
COST supports the co-ordination and networking of existing research and activities of public value. COST does not fund research. Any area of S&T can be considered for COST support.
The Government is keen to encourage debate on scientific issues. Details of consultations being undertaken by the Government can be found at the 10 Downing Street site. The Government's advisory body on biotechnology, the Human Genetics Committee along with the Food Standards Agency, have a specific remit to involve stakeholders and the public. Many organisations facilitate public debate on scientific issues, a large number of which are listed in the OSI publication 'Science Connections'. See Reports and Publications section for details.
Foresight aims to provide challenging visions of the future, to ensure effective strategies now. It does this by providing a core of skills in science-based futures projects and unequalled access to leaders in government, business and science.
Further details of the Foresight Programme are available on the Foresight website.
In 2003-04 compared to the previous year, the total Government expenditure on R&D in cash terms increased by 4% to £8,842 million. Civil expenditure increased by 7% to £5,737 million and defence expenditure decreased by 2% to £2,677 million.
In real terms, total expenditure increased by 1%, civil expenditure increased by 4% and defence expenditure decreased by 5%.
The Department for Innovation, Universities & Skills is responsible for coordinating the UK government's policy interests in science and technology outside the European Union. For more details on how International research collaboration can be facilitated, please visit the "UK International Engagement" section of the web site.
The Department does not hold funds to support research directly. We fund the UK Research Councils, who do. Your first step should be to contact the institution where you intend or wish to study to ask about sources of support. For example they may hold Research Council studentships in your subject area. If you wish to find out which institutions hold Research Council studentships, please visit the studentship sections of the Research Council. You may also find useful information on the British Council web site.
People are concerned that new products may have harmful effects, especially those which directly touch on food or health. Scientific advances can create new risks to our health and our environment as well as posing social and ethical challenges. Also as scientific knowledge advances, we understand more about risks from old technologies.
Government cannot eliminate risk but it does have a role in assuring consumers that risks have been properly assessed and controlled and in communicating those risks clearly and simply, and at the right time. If Britain is to share the benefits from scientific advances here and throughout the world we need a strong and stable framework for identifying and managing these issues.
Our aim is to enable the public to have confidence in the assessment and regulation of developments in science and technology by making sure that risks are properly assessed using the best possible expertise and continuously monitored by a transparent process and that these risks are clearly communicated.
Details of the research being funded by the Government through the UK Research Councils can be found on the Councils' websites which can be accessed through a portal site. Details of research being funded at a European Union level can be found at CORDIS (Community Research & Development Information Service).
The British Council offers a very comprehensive guide to the organisation of science, engineering and technology in the UK (GOST).
The guide can be used to find out how UK research is funded and how advice is given to government on scientific matters. Information about how devolution in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland is influencing UK science, engineering and technology is also provided.
The Internet-based news centre covering European science, medicine and technology can be found at the Alphagalileo site. The American Association for the Advancement of Science also has a useful site. Many sites provide a digest of science in the news, these include the New Scientist, the Royal Society and the BBC.
Scientific advisory committees are independent committees of experts set up to give advice to the Government about developments in science and technology. Just as science has a vital role throughout society it also plays an increasingly important role in Government policy-making. Scientific advisory committees assess any risks from new products such as mobile telephones, new medicines or novel food products and help us understand and deal with crises like BSE or the Foot and Mouth epidemic. They also provide crucial advice to Government to help it make decisions about other issues such as health and the environment. Some scientific advisory committees may also be asked to think about wider social and ethical issues to do with new developments. Where this is the case they will also include lay members, consumers and experts in ethics and the social sciences.
Please click on the following link for Government Advisory Committees following the Code of Practice for Scientific Advisory Committees.
What is the Greenfield Review?
In 2002, the DTI's Secretary of State appointed Baroness Greenfield to advise on a stronger and more strategic approach to increasing the participation of women in science, engineering and technology. The report considered UK activity along with overseas activities and identified priorities for more focused action. It advised on what could be done to improve the recruitment and retention of women in SET, to increase the number of women in policy making and to recognise women's achievement and contribution to SET. The report was published in April 2003.
How do I find out more information on Women in SET?
Please look at the Promoting Science, Engineering and Technology For Women website.
