27/02/08 Nick Dusic attended the Shell Springboard South Region Final.

27/02/08 Science and the Media
CaSE met with the Science Media Centre and later attended the PolicyNet meeting on Science and the Media. CaSE plays a critical role in commenting and facilitating topical debate about science and engineering policy issues in the media.

25/02/08 Science at Defra
CaSE welcomed the announcement that Parliament's Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee is asking for views before it sets the terms of reference for its inquiry into Defra's scientific capabilities. CaSE will be responding to the request for input before the deadline of 27 March 2008.

21/02/08 Growth of Chinese R&D
CaSE attended the DEMOS meeting on New perspectives on Chinese innovation, which included a presentation on the OECD report on China's innovation performance. Commenting on the report Nick Dusic said, "The UK must learn lessons from China's R&D plans and expenditure so that we can both compete and collaborate in science and innovation. The UK must have a clearer plan for maintaining and attracting multinational investment in R&D. There needs to be a redoubling of effort to maintain the UK's position as a centre for highly skilled researchers and cutting edge research, which is the UK's current competitive advantage in attracting private sector research."

21/02/08 Research in Natural England
CaSE is concerned by the recent budget allocation for Natural England. Natural England's draft plans for reducing its overall budget include a reduction in research by £700,000 (34% decrease). The draft plan also questions whether to develop a Chief Scientific Adviser's Team. Commenting, Nick Dusic said that "Natural England needs to invest in research and their specialist staff so that their delivery and advisory functions are evidence-based. Although there are tough financial decisions to be made, cutting research is not a cost effective solution in the long term."

15/02/08 Inequality in Science Education
CaSE welcomed the Conservative Party's investigation into the unequal provision of science education, which found that fewer than one in three pupils in state schools has the option of taking three sciences, compared with more than two thirds of pupils in independent schools. Commenting on the issue, Nick Dusic, CaSE's Director said "the inequality in science education is indefensible. Given the thrill and future financial rewards that can be had from studying science it should be equally available to all students. The Government target to make sure all high performing students can take three separate science GCSEs starting this September needs to be given greater resources given the reality of the current situation. If the status quo persists we are disadvantaging a segment of society and the UK as whole by limiting the size and diversity of our science and engineering workforce."

14/02/08 Norwich Research Park
CaSE welcomes Norwich Research Park as our latest organisational member. David Hawksett said "We are delighted to bring on board one of the leading UK research parks and we look forward to incorporating their issues into our policy work."

14/02/08 Innovation Strategy
CaSE responded to DIUS's Innovation Strategy consultation. In its response CaSE called on the Government to keep investing in basic science, create a better culture for science and innovation within Government departments, attract innovative companies to the UK and support STEM education in schools and higher education.

14/02/08 UCAS application figures
CaSE was concerned at some of the UCAS application figures released today. The total number of applications increased but CaSE was alarmed by some apparent changes in the pattern of student preference, particularly the decrease in a number of bioscience disciplines.
Read the Press Release

14/02/08 Research Excellence Framework
CaSE responded to HEFCE's consultation on the Research Excellence Framework. Commenting on the REF proposal, Nick Dusic, said "peer review needs to remain at the heart of the research assessment process. Metrics should be used to inform the peer review process, but there are many issues with HEFCE's proposed bibliometric indicator. What ever system is adopted there needs to be further discussion about the link between assessment and funding."
Read the Response

13/02/08 Space Strategy
CaSE welcomed the Government's UK Civil Space Strategy. However, if the Government is going to increase its investment in space exploration it cannot do it out of the science budget, there will need to be new funds and a strengthened BNSC. The Government needs to sort out the funding crisis for the STFC if it wants wants to make the Space Strategy a reality and have the highly-skilled people needed to work in the growing space industry.

12/02/08 Nick Dusic met with the Royal Society of Chemistry to discuss science policy issues.

08/0208 Future Strategic Challenges for Britain
CaSE welcomed the PM Strategy Unit's report on the challenges facing Britain. Nick Dusic said "the Prime Minister is right when he says that the UK needs to rise to the challenges through science and innovation. The report makes repeated reference to one of the UK's core strengths as being a world leader in science. We cannot take this for granted and need to keep improving through sound science policies."

08/02/08 Nick Dusic met with the Institute of Biology to discuss science policy issues.

07/02/08 STFC announcement
CaSE welcomes the STFC announcement that no reductions in basic research in physics and astronomy will happen until the Wakenham Review reports this summer. Nick Dusic, CaSE's Director said, "the Government and the STFC need to find a solution to the STFC funding crisis. The UK cannot expect to be a world leader in science by cutting its investment in basic research."

07/02/08 Nick Dusic and David Hawksett met with Unilever and were pleased to welcome them as new organisational members of CaSE.

06/02/08 Scottish University Funding
CaSE is concerned about Budget passed by the Scottish Parliament today and the effects it will have on Scottish Universities.

05/02/08 Nick Dusic met with the Royal Astronomical Society to discuss science policy issues and the proposed funding cuts related to the STFC's delivery plan.