EVENTS
The Foundation organises events on key topics in science, research, technology or innovation, bringing together parliamentarians, civil servants, industrialists, researchers, learned societies, charities and others. Those events focus in particular on areas where there are policy decisions needed, which in turn need to be informed by this wide range of inputs and viewpoints. Summary reports are prepared for all events, and these - along with presentation slides, videos of speakers and audio files - are available online after events.
Critical Minerals – how can science and technology help deliver the UK Strategy?
- 2025
- The Geological Society, Burlington House, Piccadilly London, W1J 0BG
Modern developments in electronics, batteries, electric vehicles and other technologies depend on certain critical minerals. There is a global race for these minerals as demand across the world rises, and the UK Government’s Critical Minerals strategy sets out this country will ensure sufficient supply to meet UK needs going forward. Science and technology can make a major contribution to delivering the strategy, from more efficient extraction, effective and commercially viable recycling and new materials. This in turn is leading to new commercial opportunities. In this event, we will discuss the UK strategy, and explore how science, technology and innovation can help deliver it.
Read MoreGoverning AI for Humanity - What is needed globally and in the UK?
- 2025
- The Royal Society and online
There have been a number of developments at both an international and UK level exploring how best we can govern and regulate AI, which is developing rapidly with exciting new opportunities but also potential threats emerging. In September 2024, the United Nations High Level Advisory Body on AI published its final report, Governing AI for Humanity. This notes the urgent need for global governance, and the current inequity in representation in such governance. It has a number of recommendations including policy dialogue, capacity development, a global AI data framework and a global fund for AI. Delivering any of these recommendations requires global co-operation. This is always a challenge and perhaps more so now due to current global events. In the UK, the government published its AI Opportunities Action Plan on 13 January 2025, and an AI Regulation Bill was promised in the 2024 Labour Party manifesto. What needs to happen at global level? What is the UK’s approach, domestically and internationally? How can we maximise the benefits whilst minimising the risks? To what extent do we push to ensure that societal benefit, rather than just profitability, is core to the development of AI?
Read MoreHow can science and technology contribute to the UK’s Industrial Strategy?
- 2024
- The Royal Society and online
On 14th October, the UK Government published a Green Paper entitled Invest 2035: the UK’s modern industrial strategy. The Green Paper outlines the initial proposals from the new UK government on developing an industrial strategy to help deliver economic growth. It sets out eight growth-driving sectors, discusses skills, and notes the importance of research, development and innovation, amongst many other aspects. In this event, we will explore how science and technology can contribute to the industrial strategy, and hopefully provide a useful input to the government as it develops its thinking.
Read MoreBuilding Careers and Skills in Science and Technology for National and Global Challenges
- 2024
- The Exchange, University of Birmingham, and online
This is the annual conference organised by the Foundation targeted at early- to mid-career professionals, drawn from the civil and public sectors, from industry and from the research community. In this event, we will discuss careers in S&T, international collaboration in science, and how S&T can feed into the new Labour government's 5 missions.
Read MoreShould R&D policies and budgets be devolved to English Regions?
- 2024
- The Spine Building, Liverpool, and Online
There is clear evidence of a link between R&D and economic output in different geographical areas, and increasingly, English regions are developing plans for economic development based on their own circumstances and the industries and skills in their regions. At this meeting, we explored some of these issues.
Read MoreIn Conversation with Professor Dame Angela McLean
- 2024
- The Royal Society and online
In this event, Professor Dame Angela McLean DBE FRS will be in conversation with Rt Hon Lord (David) Willetts, Chair of the Foundation for Science and Technology. Professor McLean is the Government Chief Scientific Adviser, a role that she has held since April 2023. She is also Head of the Government Science and Engineering Profession. Professor McLean and Lord Willetts will discuss a range of topics from the challenges of providing science advice, the role of the science and engineering in the civil service, working with ministers and civil servants and more. There will also be an extended period of questions from the floor.
Read MoreQuantum Technologies – from research to reality
- 2024
- University of Strathclyde, Glasgow
The UK has huge research strengths in quantum technologies and a burgeoning quantum start-up ecosystem. Whilst some potential uses of quantum technologies are still some way from commercialisation, others are right here. The previous government had quantum technologies on its list of critical technologies for the UK, and has sought to build UK capability. Quantum technologies have a potential role to play in both national security and in civil society, as well as the commercial opportunities. And the Royal Academy of Engineering recently completed a major review of quantum infrastructure needs in the UK. At this meeting, we will explore where the UK currently sits in quantum technology, and what is needed to transition from research into real world applications, both in the public and private sector. What more is needed in terms of policy and funding from the UK government, UKRI and others? And given the strength of quantum technology companies in Scotland, how can the Scottish Government complement any UK activity to support companies and universities in Scotland.
Read MoreSafeguarding trust in science – the role of research integrity
- 2024
- The Royal Society and online
Excellent research is carried out in the UK across higher education, government, private and third sector, national research laboratories. Research integrity underpins trust in the excellence of our national and global science base. Research that has integrity is carried out in a way that is trustworthy, rigorous, ethical and responsible, which includes rigour and openness. Research that is carried out with poor integrity is not high quality and impacts can be harmful rather than beneficial. High-profile challenges in research integrity include intentional misconduct and concern about credibility of scientific publications, including concerns related to new technologies and organised fraudulent practice. But these global debates don’t necessarily reflect the robust health of UK research. What is the situation in UK research? How can the credibility of UK research in all sectors be bolstered? What are the next steps that the research ecosystem needs to take to safeguard trust in its work?
Read MoreA Roundatable on critical technologies
- 2024
- Royal Academy of Engineering
The Foundation for Science and Technology and the Royal Academy of Engineering organised a joint roundtable discussion to explore critical technologies.
Read MoreScience, Innovation and Technology - General Election Hustings
Representatives for the major political parties answered questions about science, technology and innovation. The event was jointly organised by the Campaign for Science and Engineering, the Foundation for Science and Technology and the four National Academies – the Academy for Medical Sciences, the British Academy, the Royal Academy of Engineering and the Royal Society. The event was streamed live from the Royal Society on Wednesday 19 June from 6.30pm-8pm and was chaired by a leading science journalist. Representatives from the major political parties were invited to outline the policies that their party will be putting forward to support science, innovation and technology at the forthcoming General Election. There was also a Q&A, including questions from the chair and the audience.
Read MoreOn this day...
Foundation held a debate: