For MPs, civil servants and scientists
Established in 2001 as part of the Science in Society programme, the MP-Scientist Pairing Scheme aims to build bridges between some of the best research workers in the country and members of the UK parliament. To date over 170 pairs of MPs Civil seravants and Scientists have taken part. The scheme comprises three activities: a briefing by the Royal Society, a Week in Westminster, and reciprocal visits to the constituency office and the laboratory.
In 2007 the Society trialled a Civil Servant - Scientist pairing scheme and this scheme was run alongside the MP-Scientist pairing scheme in 2009.
Application for the 2010 scheme will be open to scientists soon, check this page for details.
Aims
- To help scientists recognise the potential methods and structures through which they can feed their scientific knowledge to parliamentarians.
- To help practising research scientists understand the pressures under which MPs operate.
- To give MPs and Civil Servants the opportunity to forge direct links with a network of practising research scientists.
- To give MPs and Civil Servants the opportunity to familiarise themselves with the process of scientific understanding and topical research and ultimately to be able to bring this knowledge into better informed discussions and decision making.
How the scheme works
The scheme starts with 'Westminster week'; a programme of activities for the scientists including seminars, workshops, shadowing opportunities and a tour of Westminster. This 'week' aims to give the scientist a taste not only of the approach to science policy but of Parliament and the Civil Service in general. The 'week' takes place in October or November each year.
During the week' MPs or civil servant will spend a day with their scientist to give further insight to their working life. Scientists will also attend seminars, lectures and tailored workshops relating to science in Parliament and Government. There will also be opportunity to tour the Houses of Parliament and attend Select Committee meetings.
Other activities may include attending Prime Minister's Question Time and debates in the House of Commons, observing meetings with Ministers, following the MP to press interviews, visiting Government offices and attending policy meetings.
"I can now see how important science is for making policies, even those that are not directly associated with science and technology issues," Dr Kate Lancaster paired with Anne Snelgrove MP.
After the 'Westminster week', the pairs undertake reciprocal visits. Scientists paired with an MP might spend a day at the MP's constituency office attending meetings on local issues, observing a session of the MP's surgery (an opportunity for constituents to raise problems or seek advice from their MP) and attending an event, such as a meeting at a school. The MPs and civil servants are invited to visit the scientist's research facilities and have the opportunity to talk to staff and students, hear about the research and help conduct an experiment. Thus in total we ask MPs to commit 3-4 days of their time over an extended period during which they will both share their experiences and receive a unique opportunity to gain an insight to the scientific process.
How to have an influence
The outputs of the Society's work include major policy studies, submissions to various Parliamentary and Government inquiries, public statements, meetings and private discussions with key individuals, and briefings for Officers, Council and colleagues.
It is also possible to submit written evidence to Parliamentary Committees who are conducting inquiries. Calls for evidence are usually given as press releases which can be accessed from the web pages of the individual Committees.
Related links