Voice of the Future 2017

The setting was the Boothroyd Room, where Select Committees meet to hear evidence and publicy scrutinise government work. In a unique event in the political calendar, the tables had been turned so that we were sitting in the famed horseshoe, and the MPs were sitting before us to face our questions.

We represented over 20 learned scientific societies, including the Royal Society of Chemistry, along with a selection of high schools. We had all prepared questions in advance and the event was broadcast live, with Twitter providing auxiliary questions. We were carefully warned that parliamentary privilege didn’t apply to us!

First up was Chi Onwurah (Shadow Minister for Industrial Strategy, Science and Innovation), who told us that science and engineering along with politics represent engines of progress for the nation, and that they depend on innovation by people with different backgrounds in gender, class and international origin coming together and making something new.

Later, Jo Johnson (Minister of State for Universities, Science, Research and Innovation) highlighted the increase in funding for STEM subjects in the latest budget and recognised that despite exiting from the EU it was important to have structures in place to foster international collaboration.

Finally, the Commons Select Committee for Science & Technology discussed a wide range of topics, including the importance of the Arts to Science research both in terms of creativity being the foundation of innovation and scientific advances having the capability for significant social impact.

Overall, it was a fantastic experience bringing together young scientists and policy-makers. The questions that we had produced covered wide-ranging and important aspects of politics and science. Despite a small amount of political wrangling it was encouraging to see that MPs across all political parties have a deep respect for science and the role that the UK plays in its research.

Tom Speight – PhD student, University of Edinburgh

Voice of the Future was a very inspiring experience, which allowed me to witness first-hand the critical bond between the scientific community and Parliament. I took home key messages from each of the afternoon sessions.

Chi Onwurah highlighted the duty we all have as scientists and politicians to inspire younger generations into science and break down barriers to entry, while Sir Mark Walport (Chief Scientific Adviser) expressed optimism in how effectively science will be regulated in the UK in the future, particularly after separation from EU regulatory practises.

Meanwhile, the members of the science and technology select committee reaffirmed the value of scientific institutions in contributing to politics and help shape the future of their field. 

I was so grateful for the opportunity to contribute to this event and represent a younger generation of scientists advocating involvement in science policy. I felt proud to be part of a system that allowed such a unique event to take place and show an openness in our society to share knowledge and opinion.