Stephen Metcalfe, local MP
for South Basildon and East Thurrock and member of the Science and Technology
Committee, came together with young scientists to speak about the work of the
committee and the science policy interface.
The event was organised by Newton’s
Apple, a charitable non-partisan science policy foundation which aims to act as
a neutral bridge between the science and policy communities. It saw Mr
Metcalfe, Dr Michael Elves, Chairman of Newton’s Apple, former chair of the
House of Commons Science and Technology Committee, Dr Ian Gibson, and Dr Sarah
Main, Director of the Campaign for Science and Technology come together to form
a distinguished panel.
The local MP spoke to the
group about how the committee functions, explained some of their achievements,
and most importantly he stressed how keen they are for scientists to get
involved with their work and influence policy.
He commented: “This was a
fantastic opportunity for the world of policy to engage with the world of
science. This interface should sit at the heart of policy making and it is
therefore vital that organisations such as Newton’s Apple provide a bridge
between the two.”
“They asked some fantastic
questions and I have no doubt that we will see some of them giving evidence to
the Science and Technology Committee in the future.”
