The Future of Science in Parliament by Dr Julian Huppert and Dr Evan Harris
Duration: 1 hour 21 mins 16 secs
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| Description: | Leading the lecture on 19 November, Dr Harris gave his perspective, from more than 10 years in parliament, on the key challenges that lie ahead in respect of science policy, evidence-based policy making and government spending priorities. Dr Huppert gave his own perspective and discussed how he hoped the government would meet these challenges. |
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| Created: | 2010-12-01 10:47 |
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| Collection: |
Centre for Science & Policy
Centre for Science & Policy |
| Publisher: | University of Cambridge |
| Copyright: | Centre for Science and Policy |
| Language: | eng (English) |
| Keywords: | science and policy; evidence based policy; science budget; government spending review; Julian Huppert; Evan Harris; |
| Abstract: | The Chancellor recently announced that he views science as vital to Britain’s future economic success. The science budget remains ring-fenced and protected from the worst cuts. However, there will be a real-term reduction in the science budget of 10% over four years and questions remain about £2 billion of other research funding and capital budget. Politicians frequently refer to "evidence based policy" and rely on a range of different kinds of evidence to support their positions in debates. We inevitably hear more about instances where science and statistics are misused in Parliamentary debate, but, in the round, what is the status of science in Parliament and how do politicians decide what evidence to use? Dr Evan Harris, the former MP for Oxford West and Abingdon, and Dr Julian Huppert, the MP for Cambridge gave our fourth Distinguished Lecture. Both are passionate and effective campaigners for science and the use of evidence in policy, and they gave a thoroughly entertaining and thoughtful, if slightly alarming, presentation. |
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