[EVENT] Cambridge University Science and Policy Exchange (CUSPE) Workshops

Cambridge University Science and Policy Exchange (CUSPE) Workshops

Around the world, there is a drive towards the use of evidence in the design, implementation and review of policies. With Government funding of research in the UK under threat, and with only the minority of MPs having any form of science, technology, engineering or mathematics (STEM) background, it is vital that current STEM researchers engage with policymakers and politicians. In addition, a career in science policy is growing in popularity as a destination for PhD and postdoctoral researchers. From inside academia, the policy world can seem complicated, ideological and confusing. The professional development workshops offered by CUSPE will equip you with the information and skills you need to engage with or be involved in science policy work in your future career.

1. An introduction to science in policymaking: who, what, why and how?

12th November 2015, 5:30 pm

Lucia Windsor Room, Newnham College, Cambridge

Want to find out more about science and evidence in policymaking? Our first professional development workshop of the year will give PhD and postdoctoral researchers in Cambridge the opportunity to hear about the world of science policy first-hand from the policy professionals involved. Topics covered by talks and in small discussion groups will include:

• the importance of advocacy for research, researchers and evidence in policymaking;
• how the policymaking process in Westminster works;
• the role that learned bodies and arms-length organisations play in influencing policymaking;
• and how researchers can contribute to and influence policymaking.

The confirmed speakers for this workshop are:

• Dr Martin Turner, Policy Adviser, Campaign for Science and Engineering (CaSE)
• Dr Victoria Charlton, Head of Policy, the Academy of Medical Sciences
• Dr Helen Ewles, Research Policy Advisor, Royal Academy of Engineering
• Dr Ailsa Stroud, Climate Change Adaptation & Geoengineering Science Advisor, Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC)

There will be an opportunity to network during a drinks reception at the end.

Places for the workshop are limited to 50 attendees. To apply for a place, please email workshops@cuspe.org by 4pm on Monday 2nd November telling us your name, position at the University (e.g. PhD student, department of Physics) and why and what you want to achieve from the event (five sentences max please). We will use this information to invite 50 of you to attend, and we will operate a waiting list system so that as many of the rest of you can benefit from this opportunity!

2. How to communicate your research to policymakers

16th November 2015 at 4:00 pm

Newnham College MCR, Cambridge

Research communication is not just an addition to research but a fundamental part of the process. As Government Chief Scientific Advisor, Sir Mark Walport, commented, “Science is not finished until it is communicated.” Furthermore, with the current drive towards evidence-based policies, it is essential that research be effectively communicated to policymakers. However, ensuring that research is understood and therefore used appropriately can be extremely challenging. Our second professional development workshop of the year will equip PhD and postdoctoral researchers with the skills necessary for effective communication of their research to policymakers. Topics covered by talks and in small discussion groups will include:

• why you should communicate with policymakers;
• who you should communicate your research to and how you contact them;
• and how you communicate your research effectively.

The confirmed speakers for this workshop are:

• Dr Miles Parker, Senior Research Associate, Centre for Science and Policy
• Dr Djuke Veldhuis, Postdoctoral Researcher, Aarhus University, Denmark
• Dr Jan Mertens, Postdoctoral Researcher, NanoPhotonics Centre, Cambridge

This workshop may of particular interest to anyone planning on submitting a poster entry into the SET for Britain competition and/or Cambridge Centre for Science and Policy’s (CSaP) annual conference. The workshop will also allow participants to practice communicating their research in a friendly environment in the form of small group and individual activities. We encourage all attendees to network during a drinks reception at the end.

Places for the workshop are limited to 15-20 attendees. To apply for a place, please email workshops@cuspe.org by 4pm on Monday 2nd November telling us your name, position at the University (e.g. PhD student, department of Chemistry) and why and what you want to achieve from the event (five sentences max please). We will use this information to invite 15-20 of you to attend, and we will operate a waiting list system so that as many of the rest of you can benefit from this opportunity!