Professional Development Policy Seminar for Technology Researchers

31 October 2012, Cambridge

The next Policy Seminar in the Professional Development Series has been designed for an audience of early career technology researchers, introducing them to the opportunities and the realities of engaging with policy.

Seminar Format

Session 1: Presentations from academics who have been engaged in the policy process
Academics discuss the role they played in policy – how the process worked and the challenges they faced – to an audience of early career researchers and policy makers.

Session 2: Break-out and report-back session
Early career researchers (with help from the academics) break into groups to discuss their ideas for improving the policy process, and feed their conclusions back to a panel of policy makers.

Session 3: Response from policy makers
Policy makers respond to the earlier discussions and feedback from early career researchers, and discuss how science advice is sought. They will also provide advice to early career researchers on how the science community might best engage with policy makers.

Agenda

• 10:30 Arrival and Tea
• 11:00 Welcome & Introductions (Dr Rob Doubleday, CSaP Executive Director)
• 11:10 Session 1: Presentations from academics who have been involved in the policy process
• 12:00 Q&A
• 12:30 Lunch
• 13:30 Session 2: Group session - early career researchers consider how the policy process could be improved
• 14:15 Feedback to panel of policy makers
• 14:30 Session 3: Response from policy makers
• 15:20 Q&A and discussion
• 16:15 Wrap up
• 16:30 Close

Speakers

Confirmed speakers include:

• Professor Muffy Calder, Chief Scientific Adviser for Scotland, and Professor of Computer Science, Glasgow University
• Mr Michael Eaton, Director, Networks and Collaboration, Office of the Chief Information Officer, Welsh Government Assembly
• Mr David Cotterill, Deputy Director, Strategic Change, Cabinet Office/
• Professor Chris Hankin, Director of the Institute for Security Science and Technology, Imperial College London
• Dr Sally Howes, Director of ICT and Systems Analysis, National Audit Office
• Professor Ian Leslie, Professor of Computer Science, University of Cambridge
• Professor Jim Norton, Immediate Past President of BCS, The Chartered Institute for IT, and External Board Member of the UK Parliament's Office of Science & Technology (POST)

Who should attend

The purpose of the seminar is to bring together policy makers and early career researchers working on technology-related issues – such as Computing, IT & Communications; Nanotechnology; Neuroscience; Biotechnology; Materials Science; Manufacturing; Energy and Electronics – who wish to engage in discussion and debate and think longer term about career paths and goals.

How to apply

If you would like to take part, please email your 'expression of interest' to Jackie Ouchikh in the first instance.