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.
Rebuilding the UK Electricity Grid
- 2022
- Online or in person at the Royal Society
Reaching Net Zero emissions requires a huge increase in electricity. As we move to electric vehicles, heat pumps for domestic heating, and power generation from renewable sources, what are the implications for the UK electricity grid and the way it is structured? In this event, we explored how the grid needs to change and adapt to meet a decarbonising society.
Read MoreDelivering the AI Strategy – the use of new AI technologies in industry and the public sector
- 2022
- Online or in person at the Royal Society
In September 2021, the UK Government published the National AI Strategy. Part of this Strategy is to support the transition to an AI-enabled economy. In this event, we looked at how AI technologies are being deployed now in the public and private sectors, and expectations for the coming years.
Read MoreHow can the National Science and Technology Council and the Office for Science and Technology Strategy direct S&T priorities?
- 2022
- Online or in person at the Royal Society
In June 2021, the Prime Minister announced the creation of a new National Science and Technology Council (NSTC), to “provide strategic direction on the use of science and technology as the tools to tackle great societal challenges, level up across the country and boost prosperity around the world.” He also announced the creation of a new Office for Science and Technology Strategy (OSTS), to be based in the Cabinet Office, which would “drive forward the strategy of Whitehall’s science and technology priorities from the centre”. The OSTS would be headed up by a National Technology Adviser, and Sir Patrick Vallance was appointed as the first person in that role. In this event, we discussed the setting up of the NSTC and OSTS, and their emerging priorities. We also discussed how these bodies will work with other structures within the UK’s science, technology and innovation ecosystem, including UKRI and the Government Office for Science, and how they will engage with UK industry.
Read MoreRound Table on UK Technology Priorities
- 2022
- Online
The Foundation organised an invitation-only round table for FTSE 100 companies to meet with Andrew McCosh, Deputy National Technology Advisor and Director General of the Office for Science and Technology Strategy, to discuss priorities for UK technology investment.
Read MoreCOP26: Where do we go from here?
- 2021
- Online and in person at The Royal Society
The COP26 Climate Change conference brings the leaders of the world together in the UK, in the most important meeting since Paris in 2015. This event, held 2 weeks after the conference has concluded, reflected on progress made at the conference, and asked what next for the UK. This event was held in tribute to the Earl of Selborne, the former Chair of the Foundation for Science and Technology
Read MoreEU R&D Programmes - Round Table
- 2021
- Royal Society
This Round Table meeting was held to discuss issues surrounding UK Association to EU research programmes, including Horizon Europe, Euratom and Copernicus. It was held under the Chatham House Rule.
Read MoreFoundation Future Leaders Conference 2021
- 2021
- Online
The Foundation Future Leader's Conference takes place every year in November. It is designed for early-to mid career professionals from the civil and parliamentary service and the wide public sector and PSREs; from universities, national facilities or similar (including from Catapult Centres, Research Council Institutes or Research Charities); and from industry (including from independent not-for-profit Research & Technology Organisations). The 2021 event took place on 22nd-23rd November 2021.
Read MoreThe UK Innovation Strategy
- 2021
- Online and in person at the Royal Academy of Engineering
On 22 July 2021, the Government published the UK Innovation Strategy, setting out the Government’s vision to make the UK global hub for innovation and the role played by innovation in a post-Brexit, post-pandemic UK. In this event, the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, Kwasi Kwarteng, discussed the key messages from this new Strategy, with views and subsequent discussion from a panel of experts.
Read MoreScience & Public Policy - Developing Systems for Science Advice to Governments and Parliaments
- 2021
- Discussion
- Online
This event discussed how science advice contributes towards faster and more effective policy decision-making, under normal and extraordinary circumstances, such as climate change or the Covid pandemic. The event was a celebration UK’s and Chile’s commitment to collaborate on promoting excellence in science-based policy-making, and during the event, a new report was launched entitled "Science Advice in the UK" was launched. The report summarises more than 70 years of UK experience on science advice to the Government & Parliament and aims to serve as inspiration for other countries seeking to establish similar systems. This event was organised by the UK Science and Innovation Network, the Chilean Ministry of Science, the British Embassy Santiago and the Foundation for Science and Technology.
Read MoreThe future of European Space Policy
- 2021
- Discussion
- Online or in person at the Royal Society
Josef Aschbacher became Director General of the European Space Agency in March 2021. In this hybrid event, Mr Aschbacher set out his vision for the future direction of ESA and European space policy. The other members of the panel explored what that means for European space activities, and how that feeds into the UK’s own developing space strategy.
Read MoreOn this day...
Foundation held a debate:
UK-China research collaboration
Apr 27, 2022