List members might be interested in the below free event on Wednesday 29 October.
Run by the ABSW and Science Museum Lates, it's a great chance to come along and ask Mark Walport, the government's chief scientific advisor some burning questions, and you can spend the rest of the evening enjoying the other events on offer (tbc soon, but keep an eye on
the museum's website).
Put the date in your diaries, and please circulate to anyone else who may be interested!
Thanks,
Beki
The Association of British Science Writers (ABSW) and Science Museum Lates present:
In conversation with Professor Sir Mark Walport
19.00- 20.00, Wednesday 29 October, Science Museum
**********************
In his first 18 months as government chief scientific advisor, Professor Sir Mark Walport has faced his share of controversial science topics. Channel 4 science editor Tom Clarke asks him to reflect on his time on the job so far and asks where he sees science advice going as the government tries to recover from the recession.
From badger culling to the potential take-over of Astra Zeneca, Sir Mark has advised the government on numerous scientific issues. He will discuss the highlights and the challenges of his job to date, look at what he could have done differently and where there are improvements to be made.
In a brief lecture and conversation with Tom Clarke, Sir Mark will tackle the big questions of science policy and research funding in a post-recession government.
He will consider how science advice can help keep politicians’ decisions in the public eye, rather than in the dark corridors of Whitehall, how and when to use evidence-based policymaking and whether the voices of scientific advisors are heard across government.
This will be follows by a Q&A session from the audience, where you will get the chance to put your own burning questions to Sir Mark.
The event will be introduced and chaired by journalist and broadcaster Roger Highfield, who is Director of External Affairs at the National Museum of Science and Industry.