Comments on: Shaky UK Government May Affect Science Policy http://cstpr.colorado.edu/prometheus/?p=5454 Wed, 29 Jul 2009 22:36:51 -0600 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.1 hourly 1 By: UK Minister Encourages Businesses to Reach Out to Universities « Pasco Phronesis http://cstpr.colorado.edu/prometheus/?p=5454&cpage=1#comment-14182 UK Minister Encourages Businesses to Reach Out to Universities « Pasco Phronesis Wed, 29 Jul 2009 22:36:51 +0000 http://sciencepolicy.colorado.edu/prometheus/?p=5454#comment-14182 [...] recently made his first education address since taking over.  The new leadership reflects a reorganization of the government with respect to science and higher education, one which has raised concern in some quarters.  [...] [...] recently made his first education address since taking over.  The new leadership reflects a reorganization of the government with respect to science and higher education, one which has raised concern in some quarters.  [...]

]]> By: David Bruggeman http://cstpr.colorado.edu/prometheus/?p=5454&cpage=1#comment-14090 David Bruggeman Tue, 09 Jun 2009 18:11:10 +0000 http://sciencepolicy.colorado.edu/prometheus/?p=5454#comment-14090 The Ministerial team for the new Department is available online, though specific responsibilities are not currently accessible. http://www.dius.gov.uk/about_us/ministerial_team.aspx Lord Mandelson is in charge, who from what comment traffic I've seen, is considered an enemy of 'blue sky' research. Lord Drayson appears to remain as science minister. For what it's worth, he seems active on Twitter - http://twitter.com/lorddrayson/ - and will take some time off to race in Le Mans later this month. American politicians this eccentric don't last nearly as long. The Ministerial team for the new Department is available online, though specific responsibilities are not currently accessible.

http://www.dius.gov.uk/about_us/ministerial_team.aspx

Lord Mandelson is in charge, who from what comment traffic I’ve seen, is considered an enemy of ‘blue sky’ research. Lord Drayson appears to remain as science minister. For what it’s worth, he seems active on Twitter – http://twitter.com/lorddrayson/ – and will take some time off to race in Le Mans later this month. American politicians this eccentric don’t last nearly as long.

]]> By: John Lish http://cstpr.colorado.edu/prometheus/?p=5454&cpage=1#comment-14074 John Lish Sun, 07 Jun 2009 17:53:10 +0000 http://sciencepolicy.colorado.edu/prometheus/?p=5454#comment-14074 Regardless of who controls the government after 2010 David, you should expect that things will get worse. The current administration has announced real spending cuts in order to pay for the borrowing caused by the financial crisis from 2011 onwards. As for the meaning of the DIUS disappearing, these are mere baubles which the Prime Minister gives and takes away. Its rather the individual in charge of the department controlling the spending who will determine the level of cuts experienced. Will science have a champion? Its a matter of luck as to who is chosen to run the department. That's the reality of British politics. Regardless of who controls the government after 2010 David, you should expect that things will get worse. The current administration has announced real spending cuts in order to pay for the borrowing caused by the financial crisis from 2011 onwards.

As for the meaning of the DIUS disappearing, these are mere baubles which the Prime Minister gives and takes away. Its rather the individual in charge of the department controlling the spending who will determine the level of cuts experienced. Will science have a champion? Its a matter of luck as to who is chosen to run the department. That’s the reality of British politics.

]]> By: David Bruggeman http://cstpr.colorado.edu/prometheus/?p=5454&cpage=1#comment-14073 David Bruggeman Sun, 07 Jun 2009 00:21:49 +0000 http://sciencepolicy.colorado.edu/prometheus/?p=5454#comment-14073 My non-rigorous sampling of commentary on this subject suggests that science advocates in the UK think things would likely get worse under a Tory government. I have no idea if this is true or not, since the Conservatives of 2009 appear to be a different animal from those of 1997. My non-rigorous sampling of commentary on this subject suggests that science advocates in the UK think things would likely get worse under a Tory government. I have no idea if this is true or not, since the Conservatives of 2009 appear to be a different animal from those of 1997.

]]> By: Bishop Hill http://cstpr.colorado.edu/prometheus/?p=5454&cpage=1#comment-14068 Bishop Hill Sat, 06 Jun 2009 07:07:08 +0000 http://sciencepolicy.colorado.edu/prometheus/?p=5454#comment-14068 Presumably this is only a concern if the government doesn't throw in the towel in the near future. It's quite possible that they could collapse and announce an election. Presumably this is only a concern if the government doesn’t throw in the towel in the near future. It’s quite possible that they could collapse and announce an election.

]]>