Government Science & Engineering e-Newsletter
Tuesday, 31 January 2012
Dear Colleague
2012 is already promising to be an eventful year for government scientists and engineers judging by the number of success stories in this newsletter. Here at GO-Science, we have been staggered by the sheer scale of enthusiasm and talent portrayed by colleagues and fellow GSE members who are working with us to deliver the GSE Annual Conference due to take place at the Queen Elizabeth II Conference centre on Tuesday 7 February.
We have also been fortunate with the excellent line up of speakers which now includes David Willetts, Minister of State for Universities and Science, Moira Wallace, Permanent Secretary at the Department for Energy & Climate Change, and of course, Colin Smith, Director of Engineering and Technology at Rolls-Royce. It is certainly looking to be a major landmark event in the GSE calendar and both Sir John Beddington and the GO-Science team are very much looking forward to welcoming colleagues, members and speakers.
In this issue of GSE newsletter, we say congratulations and goodbye to Anne Glover, Scotland’s Chief Scientific Adviser (CSA) who has been appointed as the first CSA of the European Commission. Our warm congratulations also go to Defra’s CSA, Professor Bob Watson, who was awarded a knighthood in the latest round of New Year’s Honours.
Also in this newsletter, there is a lot to inspire you to make professional development your New Year resolution! Take advantage of the GSE events taking place in the next few months all specially tailored or selected for GSE members.
We are always available for your questions, comments and contributions, so please email us at GSE@bis.gov.uk. And just as a reminder, all past newsletters are available to view on our website.
With best wishes,
The Skills & Profession Development Team at the Government Office for Science
Contents
Articles
Farewell to Anne Glover, Chief Scientific Adviser for Scotland
Over the last 5-and-a-half years Professor Anne Glover, Chief Scientific Adviser for Scotland, championed science, engineering and technology across the country and acted as an inspiring figurehead for the 600 scientists and engineers who work within the Scottish Government.
As Head of Profession, Anne established and chaired the Science and Engineering Profession (SEP) Board. Under her guidance the Board has instigated an annual conference, a specific, professional competency framework, and has raised the profile of science and engineering evidence within Scotland’s Government and Parliament. This included Anne being invited by the Permanent Secretary to sit on the strategic board.
In addition, during her tenure, Anne co-chaired the Scottish Science Advisory Council - Scotland's highest level science advisory body - providing high-quality independent advice to Scottish Ministers. She linked with science advice in Whitehall; undertook numerous engagements, large and small; championed gender equality in science and engineering and explored policy development in this area, including instigating a working group at the Royal Society of Edinburgh.
Anne will be remembered most for her infectious enthusiasm for all things scientific. Our loss is Europe’s gain, as she embarks on her new post as the first Chief Scientific Adviser to the European Commission.
Prince Charles visits Defra
His Royal Highness the Prince of Wales recently visited the Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (Defra) in a fitting finale to its 10 year anniversary, to learn about the wide variety of work and achievements, many of them in the scientific and engineering professions, by Defra and its agencies.
The Prince was introduced to staff who outlined a range of activities including Food and Farming, Rural Life, International Leadership, and Environment and Resilience. He spoke with staff about the complexities of the work Defra does and the challenge and benefits of joined-up working with other departments.
Defra’s Secretary of State, Caroline Spelman, thanked the Prince for his visit and reflected on both the Prince’s interest in Defra and the Department's achievements in 2011 such as the natural environment white paper, water white paper, the waste review, and the UK national ecosystem assessment.
Defra science highlighted in the New Year’s Honours List
The importance of the science undertaken in Defra and its Executive Agencies was clearly recognised in the New Year’s Honours List, with the award of a knighthood to Defra’s Chief Scientific Adviser, Professor Bob Watson.
Sir Bob has been Chief Scientific Adviser at Defra since 2007, during which time he has provided independent scientific advice to underpin a wide range of Defra policies including the launch of the Climate Impact Projections 2009 and the Climate Resilient Infrastructure paper preparing the country for adapting to the effects of climate change; bovine tuberculosis policy; the UK National Ecosystem Assessment; the Natural Environment White Paper and the Biodiversity Strategy to name but a few; as well as being instrumental in the establishment of the new Science Advisory Council.
Prior to joining Defra, Sir Bob was the Chief Scientist and Senior Advisor on sustainable development to The World Bank and has previously held senior positions at NASA and The White House.
Sir Bob said: “I am delighted and humbled by this honour which implicitly recognises the value of scientific knowledge in national and international environmental policy formulation.”
Also recognised in the New Year Honours List is Professor Judith Petts (a member of Defra’s Science Advisory Council) who received a CBE for services to scientific research.
UK energy experts launch the Low Carbon Energy for Development Network (LCEDN)
A network to link British energy experts to those in developing economies has been launched by the Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC) and leading UK energy institutions. The network will ensure the UK’s world-class expertise in sustainable energy helps developing countries achieve their low carbon goals.
The Low Carbon Energy for Development Network (LCEDN), started with a grant from the DECC, will identify UK-based skills and knowledge that could help developing economies achieve low carbon development. LCEDN is led by Durham University Energy Institute (DEI), the Midlands Energy Consortium (Loughborough, Birmingham, and Nottingham universities), Sussex University, Imperial College and UKERC (UK Energy Research Centre). LCEDN will examine the use of new technologies in different developing economies to assess their potential in the creation of low carbon energy. The research will aid in the transition to low carbon economies, as well as help to tackle the chronic problem of energy poverty.
The network will pinpoint UK strengths, identify where they could be deployed and highlight areas where expertise needs to be further developed. It will also identify opportunities for enhancing research collaborations between UK experts and those in other parts of the globe.
Further information can be found at www.lcedn.com
A new approach to natural flood management
Flooding appears to be an increasingly common event and one that could get even worse with climate change. The ‘Slowing the Flow at Pickering’ partnership project, led by Forest Research, seeks to demonstrate how better land management can help reduce the flooding problems faced by many towns and cities across the country. Pickering in North Yorkshire has been flooded four times in the last 10 years, with the last flood the most serious to date, causing damage to homes and businesses valued at approximately £7m.
This new approach to flood management relies on making changes to the way landscape is managed, so that the passage of rainfall to rivers and its movement downstream is reduced and delayed. A range of ‘measures’ are being tested, including:
- Constructing low-level flood storage bunds
- Planting more woodland, especially along stream sides and in the floodplain
- Restoring woody debris dams in small streams
- Restoring wetlands.
The project is closely supported by Forestry Commission England, the Environment Agency, the North York Moors National Park Authority, Durham University, Natural England and the wider community, with funding from Defra. There is a great deal of public interest in the project and local people and organisations are actively encouraged to participate. For further information, please visit the Forestry Commission website.
Learn about Science in Parliament, 22 February, Portcullis House
GO-Science and the House of Commons Science and Technology Committee are pleased to bring you an interactive seminar on the work of select committees and how scientific issues are handled in Parliament. This special event will take place on Wednesday 22 February 2012, from 9.15 – 11.00 am at Portcullis House in Westminster.
The seminar will feature two expert speakers: Xameerah Malik, Committee Specialist at the House of Commons Science and Technology Committee and Martin Rumsey, Parliamentary Select Committee Liaison Officer for Science & Technology at the Department for Business, Innovation & Skills (BIS). It will be comprised of two parts:
- 09.15 – 10.00: watching a live Science and Technology Committee evidence session from the public gallery (Thatcher Room, Portcullis House);
- 10.00 – 11.00: short presentations on how select committees work and how government contributes and responds to the select committee process. This will be followed by a Q&A session. (Room U, Portcullis House)
This event is exclusive to GSE members and places are limited. To book a place at this event, please email us at GSE@bis.gov.uk by 14 February 2012.
G6 vacancy at POST **applications close on 8 February**
The Parliamentary Office of Science and Technology (POST) is looking for a suitably qualified A1 (equivalent to Grade 6) to head up the team.
POST ensures that Parliament and parliamentarians are supported with impartial, balanced and accessible analysis and assessment of scientific and technological issues related to public policy. The Head of POST must have a broad background and experience in science or science policy, combined with the ability to maintain and develop links at senior level within the science community. In addition, they must be capable of maintaining scrupulous impartiality and objectivity, in order to lead the office effectively on behalf of Parliament.
Applications close on 8 February. To apply and access an information pack, please visit the House of Commons careers website.
“I’m a scientist/engineer, get me out of here!” **applications close on 3 February**
Would you like to give young people a voice and teach them about science and scientists in a fun, memorable and engaging way? Want to win £500 for science or engineering communications? Lend your expertise to an online discussions and events, which allow students to meet and interact with real scientists.
Over a period of two weeks in March 2012, students will submit questions online which scientists and engineers will try to answer by the next day. Students will then have live online MSN-style chats with the professionals, where they will ask further questions, learn more about them, and let them know their opinions. Finally, in an X Factor-style competition, students will vote for their favorite scientist and/or engineer who gets £500 to spend on science / engineering communication.
These events are produced by Gallomanor, and jointly sponsored by the Wellcome Trust and the Royal Academy of Engineering and a range of science and engineering professional bodies. The next event will take place from 12-23 March 2012 and Gallomanor are now searching for five each of researchers, scientists and engineers in each of the themed zones listed below. Applications close on Friday 3 February.
While most zones are open to all scientists and engineers, some restrictions apply. Please refer to the list below for further information or call the project team on 01225 326892.
Scientists may be interested in the zones below.
- Three 'general' zones - open to scientists from all areas
- Electromagnetic - for scientists funded by Science & Technology Facilities Council (STFC) or working on STFC facilities sponsor,
- Energy – for scientists funded by Research Councils UK (RCUK) Energy Programme
- Quantum – open to any quantum physicists - sponsor the Institute of Physics
- Space - open to any quantum scientist - sponsor the Institute of Physics
- Sports Science – for members of The Physiological Society who work on sports related research
And engineers may wish to apply for the zones below.
- Energy Zone - open to all engineers
- Health Zone - open to all engineers
- High Performance Zone - open to all engineers
- Measurement Zone - for engineers funded by Science & Technology Facilities Council (STFC) or working on STFC facilities
- Transport Zone - open to all engineers
- Water Zone - open to all engineers
Click to register: ‘I'm a Scientist’, ‘I'm an Engineer’ by Friday 3 February
Cutting Edge 2012: The Research Behind Sport – next event on 27 March
Research Councils UK (RCUK) is organising a series of free events across the UK in the lead up to the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games to highlight the research that goes behind outstanding sporting performance. The events are a result of collaboration between RCUK, the Royal Institution, BIS, IET, PODIUM and ICSEMIS 2012.
Each event brings together world-class researchers and top Team GB stars to showcase athletic demonstrations, discuss elite performance and gives the public a chance to share views on the research behind the UK’s sporting achievements. Comments from people attending the events will inform new research about the public’s attitudes to research and technology use in sport to enhance performance which will be presented at the International Convention on Science, Education and Medicine in Sport (ICSEMIS) in July. The event series has been granted the Inspire mark by the London 2012 Inspire programme which recognises innovative and exceptional projects that are directly inspired by the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games.
The first event in the series Cutting Edge 2012: Behind Basketball was opened by David Willetts, Minister of State for Universities and Science on 25 January at The Royal Institution. The next one will be taking place in Leeds on 27 March focusing on Triathlon, one of the most high-tech sports in the world. Professor Steve Haake, an esteemed sports scientist will host an evening of debate and demonstrations. For further information about the events, please visit RCUK website, and to book a place visit the Royal Institution website.
Fancy being a GSE mentor? Come to our informal training!
Since we launched the GSE mentoring scheme in October 2011, we were interested to learn that a number of GSE members were keen to get involved in the scheme as mentors but were reluctant to sign up because they were unsure they had the right skills.
We have therefore arranged for an experienced coach and mentor, Karen Clayton, Director of Long Latency Health Risks Division at HSE, and her colleague Lynn Delaney, a qualified coach and HR professional, to run a session on the practicalities of mentoring drawing from their own experiences. Karen is currently mentoring two GSE members helping them meet their career goals.
The aim of this session is to help GSE members understand the process in general including the role of mentors and mentees in the mentoring partnership, the challenges you might encounter as mentors, and the various techniques you might use to enhance effectiveness. We believe that the skills that you will gain from this interactive session will be transferrable to your day to day role, your personal life and of course encourage you to start mentoring GSE members.
Karen and Lynn will use the second half of the session to answer any burning questions you may have in regards to mentoring and coaching. So if you would like to hear about their experiences and top tips in mentoring, please let us know at GSE@bis.gov.uk and we’ll email you when the date is confirmed. The event will take place in Spring this year, at 1 Victoria Street Conference Centre.
N.B. GSE mentoring scheme is open to all members and you are welcome to register as a mentor or a mentee, or both.
About the GSE e-Newsletter
The GSE e-Newsletter is produced by the Government Office for Science (GO-Science). It is circulated on a monthly basis and highlights areas of interest to the profession, including news updates, highlights of departmental activities, and details of events. The newsletter is for all civil servants with a science and/or engineering background or those with a strong interest in matters relating to the profession.
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