National Academy party political conference events

The National Academies are holding panel events at the political party conferences to explore how the UK can become a science superpower and whether the nation will be fit to tackle the next global crisis.

Liberal Democrat Party Conference:

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Becoming a “science superpower”: will the UK be fit to tackle the next global crisis?

16:20 – 17:30, Friday 17 September 2021

The UK government has committed to secure our status as a “Science and Tech Superpower by 2030”. The past year has demonstrated the UK’s potential to realise this as we have witnessed the power of research and innovation in a global emergency, with researchers working to understand the COVID-19 pandemic and its impact on society, and created the vaccines to respond. But despite a heroic performance across the board, UK research and innovation faces its kryptonite: uncertainty. What will the next few years of R&I investment look like? How will the UK take a lead internationally? How can we be ready for the next global crisis? Join us and a panel of research and innovation of leading researchers and innovators to discuss how the UK should approach the future, build resilience to future crises, and lock-in our superpower status.

Panel:

  • Tom Whipple, Science Editor at the Times and Sunday Times (Chair)
  • Baroness Randerson, Spokesperson for Transport
  • Professor Alison Noble FRS FREng FIET
  • Professor Dominic Abrams FBA FAcSS FBPsS
  • Professor Sir Rory Collins FMedSci FRS

This virtual event will be accessible only to those who have bought tickets to the Liberal Democrats' Party Conference.

Labour Party Conference:

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Becoming a “science superpower”: will the UK be fit to tackle the next global crisis?

3pm-4pm, Monday 27 September, 2021

The UK government has committed to secure our status as a “Science and Tech Superpower by 2030”. The past year has demonstrated the UK’s potential to realise this as we have witnessed the power of research and innovation in a global emergency, with researchers working to understand the COVID-19 pandemic and its impact on society, and created the vaccines to respond. But despite a heroic performance across the board, UK research and innovation faces its kryptonite: uncertainty. What will the next few years of R&I investment look like? How will the UK take a lead internationally? How can we be ready for the next global crisis? Join us and a panel of research and innovation of leading researchers and innovators to discuss how the UK should approach the future, build resilience to future crises, and lock-in our superpower status.

Panel:

  • Anjana Ahuja, Science Journalist at the FT (Chair)
  • Chi Onwurah MP, Shadow Minister for Science, Research and Digital
  • Dr Rupert Lewis, Chief Science Policy Officer at the Royal Society
  • Professor Susan Gourvenec BEng FIEAust FICE
  • Professor Dominic Abrams FBA FAcSS FBPsS
  • Professor Azra Ghani MBE FMedSci

Location: Lombard Room, Hotel du Vin Brighton

The event is a fringe meeting of the Labour Party Conference. For more information on the Conference or to sign up, click here.

Our event is staged in line with the government’s COVID-19 guidelines. We encourage attendees to socially distance and wear a face mask when entering, leaving and moving around the building, unless they are exempt. Attendees will not be socially distanced when seated. Proof of your COVID-19 vaccination status or a negative lateral flow test are not required upon entry to this event.

Conservative Party Conference:

Register for the conference

Becoming a “science superpower”: will the UK be fit to tackle the next global crisis?

4pm-5pm, Tuesday 5 October, 2021

The UK government has committed to secure our status as a “Science and Tech Superpower by 2030”. The past year has demonstrated the UK’s potential to realise this as we have witnessed the power of research and innovation in a global emergency, with researchers working to understand the COVID-19 pandemic and its impact on society, and created the vaccines to respond. But despite a heroic performance across the board, UK research and innovation faces its kryptonite: uncertainty. What will the next few years of R&I investment look like? How will the UK take a lead internationally? How can we be ready for the next global crisis? Join us and a panel of research and innovation of leading researchers and innovators to discuss how the UK should approach the future, build resilience to future crises, and lock-in our superpower status.

Panel:

  • Tom Whipple (Chair)
  • The Rt Hon Greg Clark MP
  • Professor Jennifer Logue
  • Professor Dominic Abrams FBA FAcSS FBPsS
  • Professor Susan Gourvenec BEng FIEAust FICE
  • Professor Dame Nancy Rothwell, FRS, FMedSci

Location: Room 17, The Edwardian Hotel Manchester

The event is a fringe meeting of the Conservative Party Conference. For more information on the Conference or to sign up, click here.

Our event is staged in line with the government’s COVID-19 guidelines. We encourage attendees to socially distance and wear a face mask when entering, leaving and moving around the building, unless they are exempt. Attendees will not be socially distanced when seated. Proof of your COVID-19 vaccination status or a negative lateral flow test are not required upon entry to this event.

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