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:

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.

Register for the conference

Labour Party Conference:

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.

Register for the conference

Conservative Party 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.

Register for the conference

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