Recent Press Releases
Budget gives big boost to physics
PR04(06)
Wed, 23 May 2007
The Institute of Physics today welcomed the strong emphasis and clear financial support given to science across education, innovation and industry contained in the Chancellor’s Budget.
Speaking in support of the proposals, Professor Peter Main, the Institute’s director of education and science said, “The government has set itself challenging targets for increasing the number of pupils taking science A-levels and for getting more physicists to become specialist physics teachers. We will be pleased to work with them to achieve these aims.”
He went on, “We are especially pleased that the Government has recognised the strategic importance of specialist teaching in the sciences. We believe that the only way the government will achieve the ambitious targets for A-level physics is by ensuring that younger students are taught by teachers who are experts in the subject and know how to teach it.
The Institute has just been awarded £1.8 million from the Higher Education Funding Council for England (HEFCE) for far-reaching plans to support teachers and pupils and to provide innovative physics based courses to encourage more entrants into the subject at universities.
Daniel Sandford Smith, education manager at the Institute said, “We hope these proposals will build on the work that the Institute itself has already undertaken.”
“For example, we already have two initiatives up and running – Supporting Physics Teachers is a CD-based resource aimed at non-specialist teachers who teach physics in the early years of secondary education to help them gain a better understanding of the subject. And our Physics Teacher Network, covers the whole of Great Britain and Ireland - providing support for non-specialist physics teachers through local group activities and forums.”
At the end of 2005, the quality of UK physics research was assessed by an international panel of experts who, whilst praising the quality of the nation’s physics research, recommended that government considered ways to find a balance between the funding of curiosity-driven research and special government initiatives. Peter Main went on to say, “The Institute will take an active part in the proposed consultation on improving the effectiveness of the Research Councils, particularly in terms of how they fund physics research. The Institute is concerned, however, that improvements to the science base could be undermined by a lack of attention to training issues, in particular, the need to ensure the competitiveness of the UK’s PhD graduates both at home and abroad.
Finally, the Institute welcomed the proposed measures to increase investment in UK-based R&D by extending the R&D tax credit system and giving the Technology Strategy Board a wider remit.
Summarizing the Institute’s views on the budget proposals, the chief executive, Dr Robert Kirby-Harris, said, “This is a good budget for physics education, innovation and industry. We support the positive measures the government is taking to enhance the standing of Britain’s research on the global stage. However, as was pointed out by the international panel for physics in its report last year, there needs to be continued investment in infrastructure to enabel UK physics research to continue thriving and contributing so much to the UK’s economic development. We urge government not to lose sight of this continuing requirement – in order to ensure that, investment and innovation succeeds.”
Notes to editors:
For further information:
Helen MacBain, Press Officer,
Institute of Physics,
Telephone 020 7470 4815 or 07946 321473.
E-mail:helen.macbain@iop.org.
The Institute of Physics is a leading international professional body and learned society with over 37,000 members, which promotes the advancement and dissemination of a knowledge of and education in the science of physics, pure and applied. It has a world-wide membership and is a major international player in:
- scientific publishing and electronic dissemination of physics;
- setting professional standards for physicists and awarding professional qualifications;
- promoting physics through scientific conferences, education and science policy advice
The Institute is a member of the Science Council, and a nominated body of the Engineering Council. The Institute works in collaboration with national physical societies and plays an important role in transnational societies such as the European Physical Society and represents British and Irish physicists in international organizations. In Great Britain and Ireland the Institute is active in providing support for physicists in all professions and careers, encouraging physics research and its applications, providing support for physics in schools, colleges and universities, influencing government and informing public debate.
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