FST JOURNAL

Autumn has officially arrived and there are changes in the air here at The Foundation.

We have an action-packed events schedule from October onwards and do not miss our fully remote Foundation Future Leaders’ Conference with weekly panel discussions running from October 2026 to February 2027. Get up to date with our latest podcasts and more, below.

Can we devolve more science and innovation spending? 

The debate about how the UK’s science and innovation funding is distributed is ongoing. Questions range from whether giving cities and regions greater control over investment could help drive economic growth across the country, to what greater devolution means in practice. On Wednesday 7^th October, we will host a discussion at The Royal Society to explore these themes and how the UK can support growth across the country while maintaining the research excellence that underpin its international competitiveness.

Speakers include:

• The Lord O'Neill of Gatley – Economist and Former Government Adviser
• Professor Dame Jessica Corner DBE - Executive Chair, Research England
• Richard Jones FLSW FRS – Emeritus Professor/Chair of Materials Physics and Innovation Policy, The University of Manchester
• Professor Mary Ryan - Vice-Provost , Research and Enterprise, Imperial College London
• Rt Hon the Lord (David) Willetts FRS [Chair]

Book your in person or online place, here.

Lunchtime learning: Fresh minds discuss cutting edge S&T issues

Spend your lunch break listening to some of the freshest thinking at the cutting edge of science and policy. We are delighted to announce a series of fully remote online discussions led by our Foundation Future Leaders, beginning in October 2026. From civil servants to engineers to researchers, our Future Leaders are at the forefront of the UK’s scientific endeavours, engineering feats and parliamentary policy. Ranging from why young people are losing interest in science to whether it is better to be a specialist or generalist, to visibility and being yourself in science, they will unpick some of the most talked about issues. More details and how to book will be available on our website soon.

Running for the Foundation

We are delighted to announce that Cally Walker, Programme lead for International Bilateral Fund at UK Space Agency (and a current Foundation Future Leader) will be running the 2027 London Marathon in aid of the Foundation for Science and Technology and our mission to foster open, evidence-based conversation to shape better decision making. We cannot wait to cheer her on! You can support Cally with her upcoming 26 mile feat, here.

In conversation with Professor Sir Ian Chapman

On 16^th June, the Foundation hosted a sold out, 'In Conversation' evening with Professor Sir Ian Chapman, Chief Executive of UKRI (UK Research and Innovation). He took to the stage with FST Chair the Rt Hon The Lord David Willetts to explore his vision for UKRI, its priorities and the future. Sir Ian took a varied selection of questions from the audience including some highly topical and contentious ones on physics funding cuts. The in-conversation format is very popular and something we revisit each year with senior figures across the S&T landscape. You can rewatch the whole discussion again here.

Upcoming events

Autumn is here and so is our AW26 events calendar! As ever it will be a busy few months where we will be platforming discussions on some of the most topical and most talked about issues in science, tech and Innovation. Here is a list of upcoming FST discussion events:

• Can we devolve more science and innovation spending? 

          Wednesday 7^th October 2026, The Royal Society and online. Book here.

• In Conversation with Sir Patrick Vallance

          Wednesday 11^th November 2026, Harwell Science and Innovation Centre.

• Joint FST/Council for Science and Technology event [TBC]

           Wednesday 9^th December 2026, The Royal Society and online.

• Horizon Europe and beyond: should the UK continue to associate?

          Wednesday 27^th January 2027, The Royal Society and online.

A swell of new podcasts

From public attitudes to science to the impacts of climate change on birds in the UK to championing disability in STEM to a series on maths and how it can be better taught in schools, our regular podcast covers a lot of ground. Catch the latest episodes here.