Cambridge Network Limited

Open Meeting: Cross-party debate on Science Policy in the UK

Join Lord Drayson (pictured), Adam Afriyie and Evan Harris at this important cross-party debate on Science Policy in the UK, to be chaired by Professor Ian Leslie, Pro-Vice-Chancellor of the University of Cambridge.

Start date/time: 18:00 Monday 23 November 2009
End date/time: 21:00 Monday 23 November 2009
Venue: Robinson College, Grange Road, Cambridge CB3 9AN
Organiser name: Cambridge Network
Organiser email: vicky.faupel@cambridgenetwork.co.uk
Organiser tel: 01223 401584

Science policy includes not only the funding of the Science and Engineering Base through grants and the stimulation of societal impact through Intellectual Property Rights, but also the purchasing policies of the government and their efforts to influence international standards. Our Open Meeting on the evening of Monday 23 November will give attendees the opportunity to hear the views of the major political parties on this subject, as well as provide a chance to debate the role government should play to ensure that wealth and job creation happen here in the UK by putting specific questions to the panel.

The meeting and discussions will be chaired by Professor Ian Leslie, Professor of Computer Science at the University of Cambridge Computer Laboratory and the University's Pro-Vice-Chancellor for Research since 2004. Debating the issues will be the Government's Minister for Science and Innovation, Lord Drayson, and Adam Afriyie MP (Cons) and Dr Evan Harris MP (Lib Dem). Jonathan Grant, President of RAND Europe, will join them on the Q&A panel.

Lord Paul Drayson of Kensington

Lord Drayson's portfolio includes innovation, the Technology Strategy Board, science policy and wealth creation from science, Research Councils, Foresight programme – science and society issues, Space, National Weights and Measures Laboratory, Design Council, National Endowment for Science, Technology and the Arts (NESTA), Energy Technologies Institute, Commission for Environmental Markets and Economic Performance, British Standards Institution, UK Accreditation Service, Life Sciences (including Office for Life Sciences and pharmaceutical sector), and low carbon economy.

He was appointed Minister for Science and Innovation for the Department for Business Innovation and Skills in June 2009. Prior to the creation of BIS, Lord Drayson was Minister of State at the Department for Innovation, Universities and Skills from Oct 2008.

Adam Afriyie MP

Adam Afriyie was appointed as the Conservative Party's Shadow Minister for Innovation, Universities and Skills in July 2007. A Conservative association branch chairman and experienced political campaigner, Adam helped to win the biggest swing to the Conservatives from the Liberal Democrats in the May 2003 local elections in Tonbridge and Malling. He was selected as the Parliamentary Spokesman for Windsor in October 2003.

Dr Evan Harris MP

Dr Evan Harris is the Liberal Democrats' Shadow Minister in the Department for Innovation, Universities and Skills and Shadow Minister for Science. He has been Liberal Democrat MP for Oxford West and Abingdon since 1997, gaining the marginal seat from the Conservatives and holding it in 2001 and 2005.

RAND Europe

RAND Europe is an independent not-for-profit research organisation whose mission is to help improve policy and decision-making through research and analysis. Our research aims to serve the public interest and is carried out on behalf of European governments and audit bodies, institutions, foundations and private sector clients with a need for quality-assured, impartial research and analysis. For more information see www.rand.org/randeurope.

Meeting details

The debate will be followed by discussion and Q&A, and will conclude with a networking buffet and drinks reception. The venue is Robinson College, and the meeting will start at 6pm with registration and coffee, closing at 9pm.

To attend

Participation is FREE to Individual and Corporate Members of the Cambridge Network, including anyone working for or studying at the University of Cambridge, Anglia Ruskin University, and the Open University. Registration is required, please follow this link. (Non-members are able to attend for an entry fee of £40+VAT, payable in advance; our registration page will take you through to a payment page.) Update 23 Nov: registration for this event is now closed.

Any queries about this meeting should be directed to vicky.faupel@cambridgenetwork.co.uk We are most grateful to RAND Europe for their kind sponsorship of this event.

See also:
Organisation: Cambridge Network Limited

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