How can CSaP help you?
Through its many activities, the Centre for Science and Policy helps promote engagement between its network members: policy professionals, experts in the sciences and engineering, business leaders, early career researchers and others who have an interest in the relationship between science and policy.
As a Professor in the Faculty of Computer Science, many of the things I work on – both in research and education – potentially entail important policy considerations. CSaP’s programmes, particularly the Policy Fellowships and the Policy Workshops, provide a fantastic opportunity to interact directly with the policy makers who are grappling with the relevant issues in government and industry.
Professor Jon Crowcroft, Marconi Professor of Networked Systems, University of Cambridge and CSaP Associate Fellow
We help connect you to the right people in government
As a senior researcher and member of the CSaP network, you will have an opportunity to engage in one-to-one meetings with Policy Fellows from government and industry, and to present the key findings of your research at Policy Workshops addressing some of the most serious challenges facing the UK. Often, as a result of taking part in these activities, senior researchers are invited to discuss their work with a wider audience in government. If you would like an opportunity to discuss the potential impact of your research, please email enquiries@csap.cam.ac.uk.
To read Jon Crowcroft's case study, please click here.
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Global Uncertainties Policy Workshop
On 13 June, at the Royal Society, CSaP Visiting Fellow Tristram Riley-Smith brought together leading academics and policy-makers to discuss the relationship between national security challenges and academic research.
Policy makers and scientists collaborate to create new science-policy research agenda
The importance of science in public policy has long been recognised, however there is growing debate over how this is best achieved.
I have had the privilege of being an Associate Fellow of CSaP for over two years. During that time I have met people in Cambridge from a far wider range of academic backgrounds than I would otherwise encounter. I particularly valued discussions with Cambridge scholars from the History and Philosophy of Science Department and with economic geographers (some of whose work I now use regularly). The Computer Laboratory and the Institute for Manufacturing are becoming regular ports of call.
Dr Graeme Reid, Head of Research Funding, Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS) and CSaP Associate Fellow
We help you keep abreast of the latest technologies and research
As members of the CSaP network, government officials frequently take part in our Policy Workshops, discussing some of the most serious challenges facing the UK with academic experts across a range of disciplines. After spending an initial five days in Cambridge for a tailor-made programme of one-to-one meetings with senior researchers, our Policy Fellows will have gained an insight into the latest scientific and engineering research connected with the Fellow's areas of responsibility, across the whole range of academic disciplines from economics to particle physics. For more information on how you can participate in these high level discussions, please click here.
To read Graeme Reid's case study, please click here.
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How can engineers make a difference in the policy development process?
On 6 December, the Royal Academy of Engineering played host to a CSaP Professional Development Policy Workshop for early-career engineers. Bringing together policy officials and academics with first-hand experience of the policy development process, the workshop presented examples of where ...
Engaging with academics: how to further strengthen open policy making
The Government Office for Science has produced a short guide and collection of case studies, designed to encourage and provide tips on constructive engagement with academia for government officials.
Working for a global company engaged in the development and delivery of advanced defence, security and aerospace systems, the questions I wanted to address as a Policy Fellow sat at the intersection of geopolitics, business and technology. CSaP’s cross-disciplinary approach enabled me to gain new understandings in all three, through a perfectly designed programme that allowed me to engage with world-class researchers.
Llyr Jones, Vice President, Latin America and Canada, Group Business Development, BAE Systems plc and CSaP Policy Fellow
We help you establish your own network of science and technology experts in academia
As a member of the CSaP network, you will have an opportunity to attend networking events, engaging in conversations and exchanging ideas, on a range of topics with other members of the network from business, academia and government. For more focused discussions on topics of interest to you and your organisation, the Policy Fellowships Programme will put you in touch with senior academics during a five-day schedule of intensive, one-to-one meetings. For more information on how you can extend your network of science, technology and engineering experts, please click here.
To read about Llyr Jones' experience as a Policy Fellow at Cambridge, please click here.
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Understanding the exposure of national infrastructure to cyber attack
CSaP / Cambridge Computer Lab workshop for government, academia and industry to explore the exposure of national infrastructure to cyber attack
Risk, uncertainty and resilience
Issues of risk and uncertainty cut across every public policy topic. The systems that make up our society are complex and a deep understanding of the nature of those systems, and the nature of risk, uncertainty and resilience, is needed ...
Like many scientists I have also become increasingly aware of the wider impact that scientific research can have on public policy. With this awareness has come a desire to understand and participate in the policy process – and particularly to contribute to better policy making by encouraging analytical and evidence-based approaches. CSaP has provided a fantastic platform upon which I have been able to do this, first by helping to facilitate and report on policy workshops, but more recently as a secondee working within Whitehall itself.
Senior Research Associate in Department for Chemistry, University of Cambridge and CSaP Junior Associate Fellow
We help you develop the knowledge and skills needed to successfully engage with policy
As an early-career researcher, joining our network will help you to develop the knowledge and skills needed to successfully engage with policy, as well as enabling you to build peer networks within relevant disciplines and departments. Our Junior Associate Fellows regularly attend round table discussions with key policy makers, and take part in projects looking at the relationship between science and policy. By participating in Professional Development Policy Seminars, you will receive training on the policy process and practical opportunities to engage with it. For more information on how to join CSaP’s growing network of young researchers, please email professionaldevelopment@csap.cam.ac.uk.
To read Leila's case study, please click here.
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Cambridge University Science and Policy Exchange (CUSPE)
Cambridge University Science and Policy Exchange (CUSPE) is a student-run society founded in 2012 by PhD students and post docs at the University of Cambridge. The society will build on the success of the CONNECTIONS lecture series, which brings prominent ...
Professional Development Policy Workshop for Engineers
Seminar for early career engineers - PhD Students, Post Docs, Early Career Researchers and Early Career Lecturers
Cambridge is supremely well positioned to help Government become aware of emerging issues but needs itself to develop the skills to catch the attention of policy makers, which are not simply about telling but also about listening and understanding. CSaP is just the right initiative to make a difference in this communication.
Dr Miles Parker, former Deputy CSA at Defra (co-sponsors of the workshop on Politics and Ecosystems Services – May 2012) and CSaP Associate Fellow
We help your organisation to make a difference
The Centre supports the vision, mission and values of its sponsors by convening meetings that bring together key stakeholders from government, business and academia to help find solutions to some of the major issues facing our planet. Valued members of the CSaP network, our sponsors are invited to participate at workshops and conferences, and research examining the relationship between science and policy, making a difference to the way in which science advice is sought and communicated in government, and how policies are formed. To find out more about CSaP sponsorship opportunities, please click here.
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Science and Policy Research Questions Workshop
This one-day workshop brought together 40 prominent researchers and policy professionals to deliberate on the most important questions on the relationship between science and policy.
Risk and Uncertainty Conference
On 8 March – the very day that the BBC declared that solar storms threatened to “wreak havoc with satellites or power grids” – many of the UK’s top risk experts were attending the CSaP conference on Risk and Uncertainty, organised in partnership with the Willis Research Network and sponsored by the IET and Lloyd’s.