EVENTS
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. Those events focus in particular on areas where there are policy decisions needed, which in turn need to be informed by this wide range of inputs and viewpoints. Summary reports are prepared for all events, and these - along with presentation slides, videos of speakers and audio files - are available online after events.
The UK Semiconductor Strategy
- 2023
- Online or in person at the Royal Society
The Government published its long-awaited national semiconductor strategy on 19 May 2023. This event explored the strategy and what it means for UK industry, both for silicon and compound semiconductors. Questions considered included: How do we ensure that the UK has a secure supply of the semiconductors it needs now and in the future? What does the UK semiconductor industry need to thrive? How do we maximise opportunities for next generation semiconductors? And how does all this sit within the Government's new Science and Technology Framework?
Read MoreThe Nurse Review of the Research, Development & Innovation Landscape
- 2023
- Central Hall Westminster or Online
The Independent Review of the UK’s Research, Development and Innovation Organisational Landscape, chaired by Sir Paul Nurse, was published in March 2023. This major review has a number of key conclusions and recommendations, which were discussed at this event. The Foundation's meeting on the issue was timed to feed into the Government response on the review, which is scheduled for later in 2023.
Read MoreIn conversation with Sir Patrick Vallance
- 2023
- Online or in person at the Royal Society
In this event, Sir Patrick Vallance, the outgoing Government Chief Scientific Adviser, will be in conversation with Rt Hon Lord (David) Willetts. Chairman of the Foundation for Science and Technology, discussing his experiences as GCSA and hopes for the future.
Read MoreMission Zero - Getting to Net Zero emissions by 2050
- 2023
- Online
In January 2023, the Government published Mission Zero, the report of the Independent Review of Net Zero, chaired by Rt Hon Chris Skidmore MP. The Review concluded that Net Zero was a massive opportunity for economic growth and the UK is well placed to realise that opportunity, but swift action is needed. In this webinar the panel discussed the recommendations of the review, along with the latest report by the IPCC, and the actions needed to get to Net Zero in the UK by 2050.
Read MoreHow can schools and colleges prepare young people for a technological life and help tackle the technical skills gap?
- 2023
- Online or in person at the Royal Society
How do we prepare the next generation for a technological life – and at the same time help to tackle the technical skills gap? What should schools and FE colleges be contributing to post-16 technical education, and how can we ensure that the right skills are taught at schools pre-16 to enable that post-16 technical education to be a success? Is the role of Further Education fully understood in discussions about post-16 and post-18 technical education? These were some of the questions that were discussed during this event.
Read MoreHardtech and High-Value Manufacturing
- 2023
- Online or in person at the Royal Society
What is the role of hardtech and high-value manufacturing companies to the UK economy? How do these companies work with the UK research base? How do they contribute to the innovation strategies of the UK and devolved governments, to skills development, and to levelling up, as part of the post-Covid recovery? And what should policymakers, funding agencies and the companies themselves be doing do to ensure that we maximise the value to the UK from these innovative companies? These are some of the questions discussed in this event.
Read MoreBlack Scientists - Tackling Racism in UK Science & Technology
- 2022
- Online or in person at the Royal Society
Racism is present in science and technology in the UK, as it is across many areas of society. In this event, we discussed black scientists and researchers, and explored a number of questions. What is the nature and scale of the problem? What is the lived experience of black scientists in the UK? What actions are already being taken to address the issues? What more needs to be done?
Read MoreAn Innovation Strategy for Scotland
- 2022
- Online or in person at the University of Strathclyde
The Scottish Government is shortly to publish an innovation strategy. What are the key challenges for promoting innovation in Scotland, and how will the new strategy tackle these? What are the key contributions needed from the Scottish Government, industry, higher education and others? What can Scotland learn from a similar strategy in Wales, and how does this fit in with plans of the UK Government? In this event, we explored some of these issues.
Read MoreLeadership in Tomorrow's World - Foundation Future Leaders Conference 2022
The major challenges confronting society do not have simple resolutions. They are multi-faceted and long term, requiring cross-cutting analysis with the ability to work across traditional divides and develop innovative approaches. This conference looked at how these problems, such as climate and biodiversity, can be addressed, as well as examining the skills and structures needed to deliver. Designed specifically for early- to mid-career professionals in the civil and wider public service – as well as in industry and the research community – this conference discussed these issues, with panellists drawn from senior leaders and the Future Leaders Programme of the Foundation for Science and Technology.
Read MoreScience, Climate Policy and COP27
- 2022
- Online or in person at the Royal Society
The United Nations COP27 climate conference will be held in Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt in November 2022. In this event, we discussed the contribution that science needs to make in COP27 and beyond.
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