Neutral platform for debate of policy issues, Discussions and workshops on relevant issues, Support service to Learned and Professional Societies, Foundation Future Leaders Programme for mid-career professionals, Podcast exploring links between science & technology and policy
Welcome
To The Foundation for Science and Technology website
The Foundation for Science and Technology is a UK charity, providing an impartial platform for debate of policy issues that have a science, research, technology or innovation element. Established in 1977, the Foundation brings together Parliamentarians, civil servants, industrialists, researchers, learned societies, charities and others. It convenes discussion events and round tables, publishes a journal three times per year and regular blogs, and hosts a weekly podcast. It also organises the Foundation Future Leaders Programme, supporting the next generation of professionals from universities, industry and the civil service. In addition, the Foundation provides guidance on governance issues to Professional and Learned Societies.
Future Leaders
The Foundation Future Leaders Programme brings together a cohort of mid-career professionals drawn from universities, industry and the civil service to develop links and further their understanding of how science and research are conducted, and how they feed into the policy process.
DiscoverEvents
The Foundation organises events on key topics in science, research, technology or innovation, bringing together Parliamentarians, civil servants, industrialists, researchers, learned societies, charities and others.
Events ListFST Journal
The FST Journal is published three times per year, with articles based on the main evening events held by the Foundation. The Journal is distributed to over 1500 senior influencers in Government, Parliament, industry and the research community, as well as being published online.
View FST JournalLearned & Professional Societies
The Foundation for Science and Technology provides guidance to Learned and Professional Societies in the area of administration and governance, with technical guidance notes and a regular newsletter.
Read MoreLatest Events
December 6, 2023 6:00 PM - 9:00 PM
On 7 September 2023, the UK and the EU concluded an agreement for the UK to participate in the Horizon Europe and Copernicus programmes as an associate member. This opens the way for UK researchers to build on an expand research collaboration with partners in other European countries. But the extended period of uncertainty about the UK's participation before this announcement means that there is much that now needs to be done - by the UK government, funding agencies, universities, industry, and by our partners in the EU - to ensure that the UK maximises the opportunities that Horizon Europe provides. In this event, we will be looking at what needs to happen now to make sure that the UK achieves all it can from this associate membership.
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November 20, 2023 9:45 AM - 4:00 PM
Science, technology and innovation have a major contribution to make to the complex challenges facing society. Designed specifically for early- to mid-career professionals with science, technology and innovation roles in the civil and wider public service, in industry and in the UK research community, this conference will examine three key issues - AI, the future of work, and energy security.
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November 15, 2023 6:00 PM - 7:15 PM
Low productivity is the foundational cause of Britain’s recent economic malaise, and raising it is a top priority for policy makers. Public and private investment in research and development is a key route to boosting productivity and future economic growth. But businesses often complain that policy makers are failing to create an environment that encourages private investment. After the ONS revision, how much does the UK spend on R&D? How does our recent performance compare with other advanced economies? What barriers do we need to overcome to boost R&D spending? And how can it align it with a new economic strategy for the UK focused on boosting growth?
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You can view a full listing of our events and search the archive on our events page.