FST JOURNAL

In collaboration with Sense and Science and the Science, Innovation and Technology Committee, the Foundation brought together leading voices in UK science, policy, and academia to discuss a new report on science sovereignty, diplomacy, and the UK’s strategic position in the global race for technological and research leadership. The discussion took place at Portcullis House, Westminster on Tuesday 7^th July. Panellists focused on how the UK can leverage its scientific excellence to drive innovation, maintain global influence, and address urgent challenges at home and internationally.

Speakers:

• Chi Onwurah (Chair, Science, Innovation and Technology Committee)
• George Freeman (Deputy Chair, Science, Innovation and Technology Committee and former Science Minister)
• Emily Darlington (MP) Milton Keynes Central
• Professor Sir Peter Knight (Chair, UK National Quantum Technology Programme Strategy Advisory Board)
• Professor Charlotte Watts (Executive Director at Wellcome Trust; former Chief Science Adviser, FCDO)

Chi Onwurah opened proceedings by highlighting the pressing need for a unified and coherent UK science diplomacy strategy in the face of intensifying global competition.

Launched that week, Onwurah discussed the committee’s new report on science sovereignty, diplomacy, and the UK’s strategic position in the global race for technological and research leadership. She highlighted the importance of cross-government alignment to ensure that science and innovation remain central to national policy, not just within the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DESIT), but across all governmental departments. Onwurah also emphasised the crucial role of public trust in science, pointing out that clear communication of the value of scientific research is essential for maintaining this trust and for ensuring that scientific advancements contribute meaningfully to society.

She advocated for the creation of measurable goals and robust metrics to evaluate the impact of science diplomacy efforts. According to Onwurah, the UK must leverage its scientific excellence to drive both innovation and influence on the global stage. She also addressed the need for science to be at the heart of UK responses to domestic and international challenges, stressing that only a coordinated, strategic approach would secure the UK’s leadership in science and technology.

George Freeman’s remarks focused on the growing global race for technological sovereignty, framing the UK’s position as both promising and precarious. Using the USA’s approach to Greenland, the Arctic and NATO as examples, he said that the UK must be prepared to stand up and take a position globally. He argued that the UK must adopt a “startup” mentality—agile, strategic, and proactive in building international alliances that play to its unique strengths and harness science for the ‘global good’. Freeman called for the creation of a “muscular framework” of bilateral and multilateral partnerships (an approach to international relations with regards to partnerships between two states and multi states). Also, regulatory leadership and investment in early-career talent as ways to maintain the UK’s competitive edge.

Freeman warned against complacency, noting that scientific excellence alone does not guarantee impact on society or the economy. He emphasised the importance of translating research strengths into tangible benefits for the UK, such as resilient supply chains and leadership in emerging industries. Freeman finished by highlighting the need for a holistic strategy that aligns research, regulation, and industrial policy to really maximise on the nation’s influence and prosperity, which is trusted around the world.

Emily Darlington addressed the challenges posed by recent research funding reductions and the impact of cuts to Official Development Assistance (ODA) on UK science and its international collaborations. She outlined the UK’s distinctive role in fostering research partnerships that focus on capacity building in partner countries, particularly through standards and the British Standards Institution (BSI). Darlington argued that maintaining the UK’s “soft power” requires ongoing commitment to these collaborative efforts, ensuring that the UK remains a trusted partner in global science diplomacy.

Additionally, Darlington stressed the importance of scientists engaging with the public, especially via new media platforms, to foster continued public support for science. 

Highlighting the British involvement in many scientific feats such as the near eradication of HIV, Darlington commented that our problem was not talking about it enough and communicating the steps taken to get to the end goal. She asserted that science diplomacy should not only focus on global challenges but also contribute directly to UK prosperity and security. Her remarks called for a renewed emphasis on public engagement and the strategic use of science as a tool for both domestic and international benefit.

Professor Sir Peter Knight provided a perspective from the UK’s quantum technology sector. He highlighted the country’s world-leading research and successful venture creation explaining that the UK has published 13% of the world’s highly cited papers saying that ‘scientifically, we punch way above our head’, but that we need to turn that into an economic advantage. He discussed the importance of aligning strategy with funding and the need to build “sticky” ecosystems that retain talent and innovative companies within the UK.  He said that we are second only to the USA when it comes to science-based start-ups and used an example of a new company called ‘digistain’ in Milton Keynes which uses Quantum Imaging to transform our ability to diagnose breast cancer. He emphasised that what has been done in quantum and photonics are examples of science and technology that are a strength for the UK and sectors producing outputs that can be ‘rolled out’ internationally.

Knight emphasised the key role of standards, research security, and international collaboration in maintaining the UK’s leadership in advanced technologies. He also warned about the risks posed by fragmented or short-term funding, which can undermine long-term research stability and the development of robust technology ecosystems. Knight’s talk underscored the need for sustained, stable investment and strategic planning to ensure that the UK continues to lead in quantum and other emerging fields.

Professor Charlotte Watts spoke about the UK’s historical strength in science, which she attributed to a culture of openness and international collaboration. She highlighted the significant and catalytic role of philanthropy and the need to pool resources from government, private sector, and charitable organisations to create impact. Watts warned against complacency referencing the increased global competition and the risk of the UK losing its leadership position if it fails to adapt.

Watts also discussed the importance of preserving specialised expertise within government and maintaining robust diplomatic science networks. She emphasised the need for clear communication of scientific processes and uncertainties to the public to foster understanding and trust. Her remarks reinforced the idea that maintaining the UK’s scientific influence requires both internal investment and outward-facing engagement strategies.

The discussion underscored that science diplomacy and international collaboration are central to the UK’s future prosperity, security, and global influence. Realising this potential requires joined-up strategy, stable investment, support for talent, and active communication—both within government and to the wider public. Watch the full event again, including Q&A, here.

This event was kindly funded by the Parliamentary Science and Technology Information Foundation (PSTIF).