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Dear All, The Royal Astronomical Society is proposing to send responses to three (UK) Government consultations: on the effect of Scottish independence on education and research, UK science infrastructure, and the competencies of the EU. The Scottish one is very urgent, since the RAS would like responses by the middle of next week to meet the deadline on 7th June. If you work in Scotland, or are in partnership with Scottish scientists or businesses, please consider contributing to our response. The infrastructure one isn't much better, with deadline 21st June so really only two weeks to feed info to the RAS for collation into a response. The recent Solid-Earth Geophysics Forum touched on ships and pooled geophysical equipment, and I hope that users of these will be able to add comments, particularly on the last bullet point below. The EU one isn't until 7th August, but because the RAS is feeding info to the Science Council for a collective response from UK science, input a good long time before then would be welcome. Please do send comments to me or directly to Robert Massey. You don't have to be a RAS member. Regards, Sheila Peacock, List co-owner. -------- Original Message -------- Subject: FAO Solid Earth Geophysics Forum members Date: Wed, 29 May 2013 15:57:16 +0100 From: Emily J. Down <[log in to unmask]> To: Robert Massey <[log in to unmask]> Dear Colleagues The RAS is planning to contribute to three inquiries and consultations in the near future and we would very much like to hear from Solid-Earth Geophysics Forum members on all or any of these. The first is a short inquiry by the *Business, Innovation and Skills Committee into the implications of Scottish independence*, with education and research one of the areas under consideration. The deadline for this is very close – *Friday 7 June* – so we would like to have any points as soon as possible and will feed them into a larger piece of work carried out by the Science Council. You can see details of the inquiry at http://www.parliament.uk/business/committees/committees-a-z/commons-select/business-innovation-and-skills/news/scottish-independence/ The second inquiry is being carried out by the *House of Lords Science and Technology Committee, which is looking at the UK’s science infrastructure*. Specific questions include: * What scientific infrastructure is currently available in the UK and do UK researchers have sufficient access to cutting edge infrastructure? How does this compare to other countries? * What role should the Government play in ensuring there is an effective long-term strategy for meeting scientific infrastructure needs? * Is it more important to invest in large national infrastructure or medium infrastructure? * How were decisions on investment made since the Comprehensive Spending Review reached? What has been the impact on these decisions? * What has been the impact of removing capital spend from the ring-fenced budget? Should the ring fenced science budget be redefined to include an element of capital spend? * Are effective and fair arrangements in place for access and charging for public and private science infrastructure? * To what extent do funding structures in the UK help or hinder involvement in EU and international projects? * What impact does publically funded scientific infrastructure have in terms of supporting innovation and stimulating the UK’s economy? The deadline for this is also fairly close – *Friday 21 June* – and the terms of reference are available at http://www.parliament.uk/business/committees/committees-a-z/lords-select/science-and-technology-committee/inquiries/parliament-2010/scientific-infrastructure/ The Government is also carrying out a *review of the competences of the EU*, an audit of how EU policy affects the UK. The ‘second semester’ of this review covers research and development, space and innovation. The deadline for input into this is *7 August* and the RAS plans to contribute to a pan-science response, again probably led by the Science Council. Details of the review can be seen at https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/review-of-uk-and-eu-balance-of-competences-call-for-evidence-on-research-and-development If you are able to send any points to me, that would be very helpful. I’ll also send this message to the RAS Points of Contact and to the Astronomy Forum. Best wishes and many thanks Robert Dr Robert Massey Deputy Executive Secretary (Media, Public Affairs, Policy, Education and Outreach) Royal Astronomical Society Tel: +44 (0)20 7734 3307 / 4582 x. 214 Mob: +44 (0)794 124 8035 www.ras.org.uk <http://www.ras.org.uk>