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
October 8, 2025
In this event, Professor Dame Ottoline Leyser DBE FRS, the recently retired Chief Executive of UKRI, will be in conversation with Rt Hon Lord (David) Willetts FRS, Chair of the Foundation for Science and Technology. This wide ranging conversation will explore topics across UK science and technology, both looking back at Dame Ottoline's tenure in UKRI and looking forward to the future.
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November 19, 2025
This is the annual conference organised by the Foundation Future Leaders. It is open to all, but specifically targeted at early- to mid-career professionals from the civil and public sector, from industry and from the research community, with roles in science, technology and innovation. At the conference, we will discuss regional science and technology, energy, health, AI, and barriers to success science, technology and innovation. The conference is free to attend and all are welcome.
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June 11, 2025
The UK benefits hugely in scientific and cultural terms from international collaboration in R&D. Traditionally, though, it has looked to its R&D links with more developed nations to support its own economic development, and supported collaboration with developing nations through Overseas Development Assistance. With the Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office currently developing a new strategy for the UK working with Africa, how, if at all, can UK R&D collaboration with African nations support the UK growth agenda alongside meeting core in-country development objectives? In the year in which South Africa is chairing the G20, are there priority areas of collaboration (for example in renewable energy) which can bring economic benefits to both the UK and African countries, and underpin a prosperous Africa? And how might this shape our view of ODA funding for R&D?
View DetailsMore about our events
You can view a full listing of our events and search the archive on our events page.