Voice of the Future 2025 saw early career scientists asking a panel of senior political figures questions about a wide range of issues from education, politics and science, antimicrobial resistance and more.
Organised by the Royal Society of Biology the event held online on 17 March reversed the standard format of a Parliamentary Select Committee by putting the MPs in the hotseat, giving a group of early career scientists and engineers, representing a range of learned societies including SCI, the opportunity to question MPs and senior government figures. This year the event also included questions from students at Bishop Hatfield Girls’ School who began the proceedings by asking Lord Patrick Vallance, Minister of State for Science, Research and Innovation, if science and politics should be separated.
“Politics should not be in the process of scientific discovery,” said Lord Vallance, “Curiosity should be driven by scientists, not politicians.” But Vallance stressed that there was a need to have scientists in the political arena to help address the issues of the policies needed to allow scientific discovery and innovation to have beneficial impact on society.
With the importance of scientific discovery and innovation being set as a foundation, Lia Argentou, senior R&D scientist, polymer & formulation at Reckitt and a member of SCI’s Early Careers Group, posed a question about recruiting science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM) talent, asking how the UK could invest in growth by nurturing the right skillsets through education.
Responding to Argentou’s question, Ben Spencer, the shadow minister for science, innovation and technology noted that employers and indeed politics were in need of STEM talent. “We need to tackle the STEM skills gap and ensure that educational pathways are open to all who are interested in these subjects,” he said.
Spencer also noted that many highly successful women scientists, particularly in the modern era, were not recognised for their achievements. “In previous eras much of the scientific discovery was carried out by individuals, many of whom we recognise today. But with the move to a more collaborative way of working, which is great, it is possible that some of the incredible contributions made by women in STEM, and other individuals, are being lost," he said. Increasing the visibility of the individuals within teams could go someway to changing the image of working in STEM jobs, Spencer noted.
With several comments being made on issues such as difficulties in accessing research funding, attracting diverse backgrounds into STEM, and university funding, attendees were encouraged to make submissions to the regular calls for evidence on topics that were put out by the House of Lords Science and Technology Committee and the Parliamentary Science, Innovation and Technology Committee.
Members of the Parliamentary Science, Innovation and Technology Committee attending the event included Allison Gardner MP, who encouraged participation in wider scientific discussion and raised the importance of critical thinking. “Critical thinking needs to be an essential part of our everyday lives. We should make space for this in our school curriculum and ensure that we are equipping people with the skills they need to help them make informed decisions,” she said. Other members of the Science, Innovation and Technology Committee Committee in attendance were Dr Lauren Sullivan MP and Emily Darlington MP.
Discussion around two questions on antimicrobial resistance (AMR) highlighted the importance of joined up thinking across the whole of government and policy making. Spencer commented that there were three areas that had to work well for the issue the AMR to be tackled. “We need to limit AMR as much as possible by not overprescribing antibiotics. We need to speed up drug evaluation as well as establishing an ecosystem for the development of technologies that can be used to tackle AMR and new therapies. We also need to ensure that the market works, so that the pharma companies are confident in taking the risks that are associated with the development of new drugs and therapies,” he said.
Lord Vallance followed up the comment adding the importance of the ‘One Health Approach’. “AMR is a massive issue. The UK government has taken a ‘One Health Approach’ so that human, animal and environmental impacts are all considered equally. There is no doubt on the importance of this matter, and all sectors and government departments need to know what to do and work collaboratively to reduce the AMR threat.”
Further reading:
International Women’s Day: Promoting women’s leadership in science
Science careers: UK to fund 4,700 post-graduate places
Manufacturing SMEs want to grow: Here are their challenges
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