CaSE Blog

The CaSE blog compiles comment and opinion from across the science and engineering policy sector.

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Inquiry into future of the Science Museum Group

By Nick Hall | Published: 17/06/2013

The House of Commons Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) Select Committee has decided to hold a inquiry into the future of the Science Museum Group.

The Group consists of five museums – the Science Museum in London, The Museum of Science and Industry in Manchester, National Media Museum in Bradford, National Railway Museum in York, and the National Railway Museum in Shildon, County Durham – which are largely funded by DCMS.

Reductions in grant funding from the department, and the possibility of further cuts in the upcoming Spending Review next month, have raised concerns that one or more of these museums will be forced to close. Read More »

Also posted in Highlights | Tagged Science in Government | Leave a comment

CaSE pays tribute to former Director Nick Dusic

By Beck Smith | Published: 13/06/2013

We at the Campaign for Science and Engineering are devastated to learn of the death of the former Director of CaSE, Nick Dusic, at the age of 35.  Nick was Director of CaSE from 2007 to 2010 and was well loved by those who worked with him here.  He had been suffering from Burkitt’s Lymphoma.

Past and present members of the CaSE staff and Board who knew and worked with Nick have contributed their thoughts and memories.

Read More »

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CaSE welcomes Chancellor’s commitment to science

By Sarah Main | Published: 07/06/2013

Yesterday was a day of positive signals from the Chancellor, George Osborne, about his intentions to make investment in science a priority in the forthcoming spending review.

After holding a breakfast meeting with Science Minister David Willetts, the Presidents of the Royal Academies, and representatives from leading academic and business institutions, Osborne tweeted,

“Breakfast with scientists in No11. Talked breakthroughs, opportunities for British industry and spending – where science is a priority” Read More »

Also posted in Highlights | Tagged Research and Funding | Leave a comment

New CaSE Director sets out priorities

By Sarah Main | Published: 03/06/2013

Don’t wear new shoes on the first day of a new job.  That was my first lesson of the day after a stop for plasters before even reaching the office.  But, once arrived, I was welcomed by sunshine, coffee and the fabulous CaSE team. Read More »

Also posted in CaSE, Highlights | Tagged CaSE | Leave a comment

CaSE Debate Postponed

By Nick Hall | Published: 25/04/2013

We regret to announce that the CaSE Science Policy Debate – set for next Tuesday 30th April -  is having to be postponed, due to a last minute scheduling conflict. We apologise for any inconvenience caused.

We expect a new date to be confirmed very shortly and will contact all registered attendees with this information.

If you any further queries please get in touch.

 

We’ll

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She figures 2012 – Is progress being made?

By Nicola | Published: 19/04/2013

Last week She Figures for 2012 were released by the European Commission. Published every three years, they provide a wealth of data on the gender breakdown at different levels, and in different sectors, within research and innovation. The numbers bring mixed news, with hints of progress largely obscured by the depressing reality of the widespread underrepresentation of women in research, particularly in STEM fields.

Read More »

Also posted in Highlights | Tagged Diversity | Leave a comment

Will you call on the Government to increase research funding?

By Jennifer Rohn, Science is Vital | Published: 08/04/2013

In September of 2010, a grassroots group of concerned scientists and science supporters – Science is Vital – sprang into being and joined forces with CaSE to campaign to stave off threats to the research budget. With the UK’s excellent science and engineering reputation already running on less funding compared to many of our competitors, rumours of cuts in the neighbourhood of 20% or more meant the stakes were high. Our message was simple: healthy science and innovation is a vital component of a strong economy.

Read More »

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What’s driving the UK’s innovation system?

By Nicola | Published: 27/03/2013

Yesterday CaSE attended a Parliamentary debate at Portcullis House, looking at the “key drivers of the UK’s innovation system”. While the question framed at the outset was “Which contributes more to British innovation, research tax credits or universities?”, the discussion rapidly took a different angle, focusing instead on how best to incentivise innovation across all research environments – from large companies to research laboratories, recognising that each plays a different role in driving innovation.

Read More »

Also posted in Highlights | Tagged Innovation, Research and Funding | 1 Response

CaSE responds to the 2013 Budget

By Beck Smith | Published: 20/03/2013

“Campaigners welcome government support for research, but insist more must be done”

The Campaign for Science and Engineering (CaSE) welcomes the announcement in today’s Budget of the expansion of the Small Business Research Initiative (SBRI) – something we called for in our 4Growth campaign – and an expansion of the R&D tax credit scheme.

However, a new analysis published yesterday by CaSE shows that the shortfall in research capital, which stood at nearly £1.7bn following the 2010 Spending Review had now been reduced to just over £300m.  Today’s Budget leaves this shortfall unchanged.

Read More »

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Research investment welcome, but we need to aim higher

By Beck Smith | Published: 19/03/2013

“Additional commitments reduce shortfall in research capital, but we need to aim higher”

New analysis by CaSE shows that the £1.7bn shortfall in research capital the Research Base Budget faced following the 2010 Spending Review (SR10) has been reduced to just over £330m following a string of additional commitments.

CaSE’s paper (Public Funding of UK Science and Engineering – March 2013 update) shows that additional commitments to research capital now total over £1350m.

Read More »

Also posted in Highlights, Press releases | Tagged Budget, Research and Funding | Leave a comment

Here come the girls

By Michelle Richmond, The IET | Published: 07/03/2013

The UK Business Secretary, Vince Cable, last week suggested that more women should go into engineering to help solve the skills shortage.  He highlighted the vital role that women represent in engineering and the need to shift the mindset and reputation the industry has about engineering being a ‘dirty hands’ business suitable only for men.

Read More »

Also posted in Highlights | Tagged Diversity, Education, Engineering | 1 Response

March Round-Up

By Nick Hall | Published: 05/03/2013

CaSE has published its March 2013 e-bulletin, giving a summary of all CaSE’s activities over the last month. These include:

• Last month CaSE wrote to the Government, warning that its proposals to introduce a ‘sunset clause’ for the Shortage Occupation List (SOL) could damage the science and engineering sector. Now a new report published by the Migration Advisory Committee (MAC) – the Home Office’s independent advisory group on immigration – has agreed with our concerns and  advised against the introduction of a ‘sunset clause’. Read More »

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Migration experts back CaSE on sunset clause

By Nicola Davis | Published: 18/02/2013

Last month CaSE warned the Government that its proposals to introduce a ‘sunset clause’ for the Shortage Occupation List (SOL) could damage the science and engineering sector – and last week the Migration Advisory Committee (MAC), the Home Office’s independent advisory group on immigration, agreed with our concerns. If the Government follows the new recommendation, it will be a victory for common sense.

Read More »

Also posted in Highlights | Tagged Immigration | Leave a comment

Willetts allocates Autumn Statement funding to ‘eight great technologies’

By Beck Smith | Published: 24/01/2013

Universities and Science Minister David Willetts

Today’s speech by the Universities and Science Minister allocates just over £460m of the £600m allocated to science in the Autumn Statement to the ‘eight great technologies’ the Chancellor outlined in his speech at the Royal Society last year. Read More »

Also posted in Highlights, Uncategorized | Tagged Budget, Research and Funding | Leave a comment

STEM community responds to new immigration proposals

By Nick Hall | Published: 18/01/2013

Senior figures from the world of science and engineering last week called for further consultation on the Government’s immigration proposals to limit the number of skilled immigrants entering the country, warning that such changes could damage the UK’s science and engineering base.

CaSE has written to the Immigration Minister Mark Harper raising concerns over the proposed ‘sunset clause’ – the automatic removal of any occupation from the Shortage Occupation List (SOL). Read More »

Also posted in Highlights, Letters | Tagged Immigration | Leave a comment

Who will be the next Shadow Science Minister?

By Beck Smith | Published: 11/01/2013

Changes to the Labour front bench, announced this afternoon, have left the position of Shadow Science Minister temporarily vacant.

Chi Onwurah MP has moved from the BIS team to join the Cabinet Office team where she will be leading on cyber security, social entrepreneurship, civil contingency, open government and transparency.

Read More »

Also posted in Highlights | Tagged Science in Parliament | Leave a comment

New trustees, departing director

By Imran Khan | Published: 08/01/2013

Imran Khan has led CaSE since 2010 and will be departing in March

As 2013 gets underway and we wish all of our readers, members, and colleagues a happy New Year, we’re also announcing some major personnel changes here at CaSE – the departure of our director, and the appointment of six new trustees.

Departing director

The first is that Imran Khan, our director since 2010, will be leaving the organisation in March. He is set to take over as Chief Executive of the British Science Association in April, succeeding Sir Roland Jackson who is stepping down after ten years in charge.

Read More »

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Opportunity or ability in education?

By Dr Rhys Morgan, E4E | Published: 04/01/2013

A few months ago, Education for Engineering (E4E), the body representing the professional engineering community on education and skills matters, published the first in a series of reports on pupils’ participation and attainment in science and mathematics qualifications at key stage 4 in England.

The first report, entitled ‘Opportunity or Ability?’, examined national and regional GCSE results, as well as differences in participation and attainment in science and mathematics between co-ed and single sex schools in both the state-maintained and independent sectors. Read More »

Also posted in Highlights | Tagged GCSEs, Guest Article, Skills | Leave a comment

A science policy for Labour?

By Tim Page, TUC | Published: 20/12/2012

In the next two years, Labour will need to develop the policy detail to underpin its commitment to a fairer capitalism and a rebalanced economy. So how can science policy support this agenda?

Labour is now committed to an active industrial strategy that focuses on high performing sectors. Research and development-intensive sectors, including automotive, life sciences and aerospace are likely to be included. The TUC has long called for a sector led industrial strategy, so we welcome this commitment. Read More »

Also posted in Highlights | Tagged Guest Article, Labour | Leave a comment

CaSE backs Osborne’s science ambition

By Imran Khan | Published: 05/12/2012

CaSE has today welcomed the Chancellor’s pledge of an extra £600m for new science funding as part of the Autumn Statement, the biggest single announcement of new research spending since the beginning of the coalition.

Read More »

Also posted in Highlights | Tagged Research and Funding | 5 Responses

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