Participating scientists are paired with either an MP or civil servant and the Royal Society supports them by arranging a 'Week in Westminster' and reciprocal visits.
The scheme aims to help MPs and civil servants establish longstanding links with practising research scientists and to help research scientists understand political decision making and its associated pressures.
Since 2001 over 180 scientists have been paired with MPs and Civil Servants.
Previous participants include Rt Hon John Denham MP, Nick Clegg MP, Julia Goldsworthy MP, Ed Vaizey MP and Anne Snelgrove MP as well as Civil Servants from across government and scientists from universities and research centres across the UK.
In 2012, the Royal Society hosted the first event for alumni of the scheme. This was an opportunity to meet and to discuss their experiences, and how they have used their experience in both parliamentary work and research.
Benefits for MPs and civil servants
Cloning, GM crops, Climate Change and nanotechnology: these are issues at the forefront of debate in Parliament. The Royal Society offers this scheme as an easy way to provide MP’s with the opportunity to explore the science behind their decisions. By pairing a MP or Civil Servant with a leading scientist, both gain an understanding of the work behind the fundamental issues involved in each field.