Academy engages with GO-Science
Suggestions and Expertise Required!
Following representation, the Academy has secured a major opportunity to work with the Government Office for Science (GO-Science) on knowledge exchange and public engagement activities. The GO-Science supports the work of the Chief Scientfic Adviser, Professor Sir John Beddington (shown below at the launch of Making the Case for the Social Sciences on Sustainability, the Environment and Climate Change).
Against a background of raising the profile of social science through the Campaign for Social Science, submissions of evidence and other forms of public engagement the Academy has been invited to help shape and contribute to the various debates taking place within government on aspects of public policy.
A first step is for the Academy to submit topics by early January of issues for discussion at a high level forum of ministers, departmental scientific advisers, officials, business leaders and other prominent contributors / influencers, which will meet at the end of April. It is expected that this forum will initiate areas of work.
It is intended that the forum will focus on those issues where the science and commerciality are clear, but the social science is resistant. An example would be shale gas extraction, where developments are being thwarted by local opposition due to concerns about fracking, potential subsidence and other environmental issues.
So that the direction of travel is two way, topics might include issues where social science wants physical science to provide better solutions at more economic cost.
A second step is that GO-Science and its Foresight Team wish to work increasingly with experts in various areas, for example investigating the interface between behavioural economics and neuroscience. A series of briefs are being prepared and once signed off, the Academy has agreed to issue a call for experts and undertake some screening of responses.
In both of these respects, this is just the kind of intermediary role that the Academy was set up to do. It comes about because of our greater advocacy activity and heightened awareness within government.
If anyone wishes to make a suggestion of topics on the physical science – commerciality – social science interface for the forum to discuss at its April meeting (please also indicate your willingness to undertake relevant preparatory work, including the names of colleagues who would be prepared to engage in this activity) please contact Stephen Anderson on Director@acss.org.uk by Tuesday 10th January.
