Why the UK needs a strategic vision for science | Sponsored by the Royal Society

02/06/24 • 23 min

Spotlight on Policy, from the New Statesman

Britain is trapped in “short term thinking”, says the world’s oldest scientific academy. So how should the UK invest in science and technology?

The United Kingdom has a formidable scientific legacy dating back centuries. This has allowed rapid response to global problems such as the Covid-19 pandemic, and provides value to the economy through technological advancements. However the Royal Society claims that “stop-start investment” in science and technology is hampering Britain’s future prosperity, security and resilience.

In this episode of Spotlight on Policy, host Becky Slack is joined by Sir Adrian Smith, president of the Royal Society, Chi Onwurah MP and George Dibb of the Institute for Public Policy Research, to discuss the UK’s scientific investment policies. They explore some of the policy solutions proposed in the Royal Society’s 2040 Vision for Science report, and how a Labour government would respond to the challenges of ongoing long-term investment and science and technology.

This episode is sponsored by the Royal Society.

Read the Royal Society’s 2040 Vision for Science report here: https://royalsociety.org/topics-policy/projects/science2040/

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Britain is trapped in “short term thinking”, says the world’s oldest scientific academy. So how should the UK invest in science and technology?

This episode is sponsored by the Royal Society.

Read the Royal Society’s 2040 Vision for Science report here: https://royalsociety.org/topics-policy/projects/science2040/

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Previous Episode

Is the NHS ready for developments in cancer care? | Sponsored by Daiichi Sankyo

New technology means cancer diagnosis is better than ever.

Advances in genomic testing and other new technologies mean we are spotting cancer earlier, and getting better at identifying the best treatment for patients.

But a greater understanding of the disease – or group of diseases – means a requirement for more tailored treatment plans to improve patient outcomes. This involves challenges for the health service when it comes to capacity, cost, personnel, infrastructure, and expertise. Is the NHS ready?

In this special podcast, sponsored by Daiichi Sankyo, Becky Slack meets Karin Smyth, Labour’s Shadow Health Minister, Professor Clare Turnbull of the Institute for Cancer Research, and Dr. Marc Moodley, Medical Director of Oncology for Daiichi Sankyo. They explore what the new developments in cancer diagnostics and treatment mean for patients and the NHS, and discuss Labour’s plans for the health service.

This New Stateman podcast has been funded by and developed in partnership with Daiichi-Sankyo, a pharmaceutical company specialising in oncology and speciality medicines. For more information visit www.daiichi-sankyo.co.uk

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Next Episode

How to tackle the UK's plastic pollution problem | Sponsored by Coca-Cola

The UK is one of the biggest plastic polluters in the world. According to Greenpeace we produce more plastic waste per person than almost any other country, with our supermarkets creating roughly 800,000 tonnes every year.

We need to find ways to minimise waste through keeping products and packaging in circulation for as long as possible. This is where the circular economy comes in - a more sustainable model of production that reduces, reuses, repairs and recycles. With a general election coming up, creating a circular economy will be a crucial component of the next government’s net zero agenda, and businesses will need to play their part.

In this sponsored podcast, host and freelance journalist Emma Haslett is joined by Julian Hunt, vice president of public affairs, communication and sustainability of GB and Northern Europe at Coca-Cola Europacific Partners; Ruth Jones, Labour MP for Newport West and shadow minister for environmental protection and animal welfare; and Dr Costas Velis, a lecturer in resource efficiency systems in the School of Civil Engineering (SoCE), at the University of Leeds. They explore how the UK can move towards a circular economy, and the role businesses play in enabling that shift.

This podcast is sponsored by Coca-Cola Europacific Partners.

To learn more about Coca-Cola Europacific Partners' work in making its packaging more sustainable, you can check out its This is Forward packaging commitments or for further information about the company head here.

Listen to the podcast in full here or on the Spotlight on Policy podcast channel.

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