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British Council seminar, March 2003
EDUCATING POLITICIANS
TUESDAY 4 MARCH 0930-1100
Scientific research is grounded in a social contract between researchers and the public. Research delivers advances in fundamental knowledge, new technologies and inventions and an improvement in living conditions. In return it is funded and supported -financially, emotionally and culturally.
This funding may be direct, with money coming from the research councils. Or it may be through commercial research, where the availability of tax breaks, appropriate regulations, intellectual property law and other aspects of the politically-determined environment determine the viability of particular research projects.
Think about a transistor: current flows in through the collector (C ) and out through the emitter (E). The current flow is controlled by the voltage across the base (B), as in the diagram.
Politicians act as a base for the funding and support of scientific research. Their enthusiasm, interest and commitment determines how much money flows across the junction; their attitude to research decides how much support privately funded research receives; their support for the education system determines the quality and numbers of researchers available.
It is therefore important to know how to influence them, and education is a vital aspect of the process.
If it is easy to agree on the importance of educating politicians, there is no agreement on the best way to go about it. Public debate is often lauded, but many decisions are made far away from the public gaze, and ensuring that key advisors and senior politicians understand an issue has to come long before a strategy or policy is made public.
Education is a long term project, not a short term fix when a crisis develops. We will look at a number of case studies, including the development of UK government policy on the use of cryptography, to unpick the factors which have most influence and likelihood of success.
At the end of this session you will have a clearer understanding of the best way to ensure that politicians understand your work, and be able to develop strategies to influence decision-making on the basis of a clearer appreciation of science rather than spin or misinformation.
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