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Report deserves attention

Institute of Physics Press Release

PR39 (09)

Thu, 23 July 2009

The Institute of Physics has welcomed the report published today by the House of Commons Committee on Innovation, Universities, Science and Skills, “Putting Science and Engineering at the Heart of Government Policy”.

IOP Chief Executive Bob Kirby-Harris commented “This is a comprehensive report, which poses a series of important questions about the Government’s commitment to science and engineering. I hope that the Government will give it the careful consideration it deserves, and respond positively to its recommendations.

There is an urgent need to strengthen the role of science within government, and also a need to clarify the role of government in deciding the direction scientific research should take.

Scientific research is the key to the UK meeting challenges such as global warming and an ageing population. It is also a vital element of building the knowledge economy that will give the UK a competitive edge as we emerge from the recession.

The government needs to take a lead in enabling this to happen, by ensuring that the right decision-making mechanisms are in place, and that the necessary resources are available. IOP strongly supports the Committee’s view that curiosity-driven research is a key component of a successful knowledge-economy, and that increased focus in applied research and industrial follow-through should not be at the expense of blue-skies research, which is one of the UK’s greatest strengths.”

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