November 28, 2018, by Lindsay Brooke

Astrophysics to Westminster to influence evidence based decision making

Attending and speaking at the All-Party Parliamentary group on Data Analytics has been one of the highlights, so far, of Christopher Conselice’s week in Westminster. He was the only academic to attend the meeting and after making his own contribution he’s convinced more scientists and academics can make a real contribution to future policy. In a tweet after the meeting he said: “One issue we discussed, which I think is true, is that policy involves large scale questions about broad issues, whereas science often tries to answer very specific questions on narrow issues. Bridging this gap is important, but possible.”

Christopher Conselice, Professor of Astrophysics in the School of Physics and Astronomy, is spending this week at Westminster behind the scenes finding out how policy is made and how his research, and the work of other academics and scientists, could be used to make evidence based decisions. His visit is part of the unique pairing scheme run by the Royal Society and the Government Science and Engineering (GSE) profession.

Professor Conselice is based in the newly established Centre for Data Ethics and Innovation  which will look at how data can be used in policy with the aim of building trust and enabling innovation in data-driven technologies. He is shadowing Louise Pakserescht, Senior Policy Adviser at the centre, to learn more about her work and give her the opportunity to discuss the scientific basis to decision making and improve civil service access to scientific evidence.

Professor Conselice’s visit began with a tour of Westminster; he has been discussing science police with Norman Lamb, Chair of the Science Select Committee; and has had a glimpse at how a new area of government is taking shape. He said: I am discussing issues about how to use data and new techniques in machine learning and artificial intelligence to decide on policy.

The Royal Society’s pairing scheme aims to build bridges between parliamentarians, civil servants and some of the best scientists in the UK. Now in its 18th year 456 scientists have taken part, shadowing a mixture of MPs, Peers, Civil Servants and Select Committee Staff.

Keep across his tweets @conselice, #sciwestminster18, @royalsociety

 

 

Posted in Government RelationspartnershipsPhysics and AstronomyPoliticsScienceStaffUniversity News Review