Policy engagement

Sir Peter Knight"The UK’s National Quantum Technologies Programme has invested £1bn over ten years to create a coherent government, industry and academic community to accelerate the translation of quantum technologies into the marketplace. As we approach the next phase, I welcome Imperial’s intent to engage with policymakers and external partners to help ensure that the UK remains at the forefront of the emerging multi-billion-pound new quantum technology markets." 

- Professor Sir Peter Knight FRS HonFInstP

  

QuEST is working in partnership with Imperial Policy Forum to support evidence-based policymaking in the area of quantum technologies. We are currently running a project funded by Research England Policy Support Fund focused on four areas aligned with the QuEST academic strategy project: Quantum Internet, Materials for Quantum Technologies, Post-Quantum Cryptography and Applications of Quantum Computing. Through the initiatives outlined below, we are committed to advancing the dialogue between academia and policymakers, ensuring that emerging quantum technologies are supported by evidence-informed policies.

PhD support team

Since 2023, the Policy Support Fund has supported the appointment of 7 PhD students. 

Our PhD support team currently includes Dimitrie Cielecki, Elizabeth Pasatembou, Josephine Hunout and Shey Dylan Lovett. Past members include Michael Ho, Kuan-Cheng Louis Chen and Victor Lovic. 

The team has contributed to all the following policy engagement activities under the guidance of Dr Craig Whittall (Imperial Policy Forum) and QuEST leadership. 

QuEST policy projects

We conducted a survey to map how Imperial researchers' interests are aligned with the National Quantum Strategy Missions. The survey built a database of quantum expertise at Imperial to be used in further engagement activities. The insights and results will be used to guide strategic decisions relating to the direction of quantum technology research at Imperial, by building a community driven vision.

The QuEST policy team set up a roundtable discussion with the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology’s (DSIT) Office for Quantum, Imperial quantum experts, the Imperial Policy Forum, and the PhD support team. The discussion aimed to inform future policy conversations on Quantum/AI convergence. 

The PhD support team contributed to the Regulatory Horizons Council’s report on  Regulating Quantum Technology Applications , published in February 2024. The team's insights on the existing landscape of quantum regulations, both in the UK and internationally, formed an essential appendix chapter in the report and guided the RHC team in the scoping process. 

 

QuEST organized a policy workshop for PhD students and early career researchers specialising in quantum technologies research. This was in partnership with the Office for Quantum (DSIT) leadership. The workshop highlighted the importance of policy engagement and provided information on how to get involved in policymaking through the Imperial Policy Forum and civil service employment. 

 

The QuEST policy team coordinated the submission of written evidence to the Science, Innovation and Technology Committee (Commons Select Committee) for their Commercialising quantum technologies Inquiry. The submission was accepted and published in September 2023.  

In January 2024, when Professor Ian Walmsley FRS gave oral evidence to the same select committee, the team visited the House of Commons for hearing, engaging directly with MPs, the Inquiry Manager and witnesses.  

In November 2023, QuEST and the Imperial Policy Forum hosted a two-day visit from a senior Indian delegation in partnership with the UK Government’s Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office. Organised by our team, the programme included a day of detailed discussions around the national quantum missions in both countries, followed by facility and site tours in the White City Innovation District, and a visit to ORCA Computing.