The founding fathers (and they were all men) of the RI established it for the purpose of

"diffusing the knowledge, and facilitating the general introduction, of useful mechanical inventions and improvements; and for teaching, by courses of philosophical lectures and experiments, the application of science to the common purposes of life."

Since 1792 there have, of course, been many other organisations founded with the same or similar purposes, so would we miss the oldest institution in the world devoted to PEST?

I think if the RI went to the wall it would send out all kinds of wrong signals about the importance of science and technology, and the need to engage the public with them. The RI is older than all but two English universities, and the disappearence of such a venerable, and internationally known, organisation would surely have a demoralising effect of some size.

This is not to say that the RI should be kept alive as a fossil for mere sentiment, and it is not to confuse the organisation with its premises. In the last year I have twice presented lectures in the Faraday Lecture Theatre, and whilst I enjoyed treading the hallowed boards I have to say that in all honesty the Faraday Theatre is not a particularly good arena to work in. Frankl, its cramped, and access is hardly good as its on the first floor. The ambience of the Faraday Theatre is somewhat old-fashioned, as is that of the building as a whole, and I can't help feeling that there is a mismatch between the desire, and maybe the necessity, to present science a modern and 'cutting edge' and the antique and possibly even stuffy ambience of the RI building.

Given the success of the Open University I wonder if the RI should consider leaving London and moving to Milton Keynes to form some kind of partnership with the OU?

Maybe if Greenfield's departure precipitates a crisis at the RI someone will be bold enough to suggest that in order to survive and prosper in our brave new world the institution should cut itself loose from the incubus of its historic surroundings and find itself a new home more in line with the requirements of the modern age?

On 12 Jan 2010, at 22:04, Michael Kenward wrote:

I assume that followers of PSCI have been avidly watching the torrent of
comments about Baroness Greenfield and the Royal Institution. Surprisingly,
there have been few defenders of the baroness. Indeed, such is the bile that
I find myself coming out in sympathy for her.

But let's not chew over that stuff. I have another question.

Would the PEST community miss the Royal Institution?

The Science Media Centre is a must, of course, and I can think of other fine
activities that should survive. But does the RI have a unique position these
days? And what about other grand old persons of this small world?

Some of the best coverage of what is happening comes from Mark Henderson,
Science Editor of The Times. His latest piece doesn't just question the role
of the RI, it also raises doubts about the British Association for the
Advancement of Science, BA, sorry BSA, make that British Science
Association.

"Like the RI, the BSA is probably trying to do too much, without thinking
very clearly about what it is actually for and how best to achieve it."

http://timesonline.typepad.com/science/2010/01/baroness-greenfield-the-royal
-institution-and-science-communication.html

or

http://bit.ly/7lyqqE

The world has moved on since COPUS tried to combine the Royal Society, Royal
Institution and BA and to turn them into powerhouses of PEST - failing
dismally in the case of the RI. Susan Greenfield may have given the RI a
stay of execution.

There are now squillions of organisations playing the game. Is the time
right for someone to reconvene an offspring of COPUS to create a new
manifesto for PESTs?

MK

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