Government and scientists can learn more from each other, writes President Alice Gast in the Times.
Sharing Dame Kate Bingham's concerns at the lack of scientific skills and expertise in Westminster and Whitehall, Professor Gast said: "When opportunities are created, policymakers and scientists engage with one another enthusiastically. This changes the culture on both sides."
When opportunities are created, policymakers and scientists engage with one another enthusiastically. Professor Alice Gast President
She cites The Forum, Imperial's policy engagement programme, which "has brought together civil servants and scientists to tap into emerging research and policy thinking on data privacy, AI and health, air quality, online harms, vaccines, plastics and health resilience. "
The Royal Society's pairing scheme has allowed scientists and parliamentarians to step into each other's shoes, including at Imperial.
"Such schemes fulfil a fraction of the voracious appetite for working together," says Professor Gast.
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Andrew Scheuber
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