Nathalie Vriend is the Natural Environment Research Council Postdoctoral Research Fellow in Cambridge University's Department of Applied Mathematics and Theoretical Physics.
This week she is shadowing her Civil Servant and learning about his work, as well as attending Prime Minister’s Question Time and a session of the House of Commons Science and Technology Committee. Nathalie will also meet Government Chief Scientific Adviser Professor Sir John Beddington.
The visit will provide Nathalie with a behind-the-scenes insight into how science policy is formed as well as an understanding of the working life of a Civil Servant.
She said: “I would like to better understand the synergy between science and policy and use this knowledge to comprehend and influence science decisions made on a national level that impact us all. I am very exciting about the prospect to visit Westminster and to learn about policy making. At the same time I am eager to explain my life as a scientist to Chris and give a perspective of challenges I am facing while conducting my research work.”
Chris Wickins said: “I think this will be eye-opening for both of us. I briefly worked in research but now give engineering advice to the Renewable Heat Incentive Team in the Department of Energy and Climate Change. The challenges and opportunities are very different; I’m looking forward to sharing those insights with Nathalie and hearing about her work.”
The Royal Society’s MP/Civil Servant-Scientist pairing scheme aims to build bridges between policy makers and some of the best scientists in the UK. It is an opportunity for Civil Servants to become better informed about science issues and for scientists to understand how they can influence science policy, as well as gaining a greater understanding of how science research is conducted within Government.
More than 200 pairs of scientists and, MPs and Civil Servants have taken part in the scheme since it was launched in 2001.
Sir Paul Nurse, President of the Royal Society said: “We live in a world facing increasing challenges that can only be addressed with a clear understanding of science. From climate change to influenza outbreaks, GM food to nuclear power, our MPs have to make decisions about complex issues that will affect the lives of all those in the UK and, in many cases, more widely throughout the world. This means that MPs and scientists have a responsibility to engage with each other to get the best possible scientific advice into public policy making.
“We set up the Royal Society’s MP/Civil Servant-Scientist pairing scheme in 2001 to provide the opportunity for MPs & Civil Servants and scientists to build long-term relationships with each other and have now organised over two hundred pairings.
“I know many parliamentarians and scientists who have gained from the scheme, and the shaping of public policy can only improve over time as these relationships continue to grow.”
Nathalie is a Fellow and College Lecturer at Newnham College.
Image: Nathalie Vriend
Reproduced courtesy of the University of Cambridge
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