EDT (2) SP3

Justin Cooper, Caerphilly Council

Science Policy Review 2005

I suspect I have come by the request to comment on this because I have previously offered expert evidence to the Committee on a range of transport issues. I do not intend to make a detailed submission, merely to record a few general points. My contribution is entirely my own and without reference to any of the organisations I work with or for.1) My Father was an outstanding marine chemist. In the 1930's he was allowed to sit and think for about five years without being required to produce papers or 'prove' his worth. At the end of his thinking, he discovered the layering of the deep ocean, a fact that now determines much of our understanding of the world's weather systems as well as the way 70% of the surface of the globe operates. I suggest there are two morals here for Welsh science policy.i) We should seek out people of genuine distinction and give them time to develop their ideas without a requirement to be judged on the number of papers they write. There will not be many people who conform to that pattern but those that do should be given their head.ii) Inevitably most of our scientific work will be done by the large teams that are now so fashionable in science. Even there we should fund teams of geniune distinction. There is far too much second rate recycling of established ideas and too little allocated to those teams that can really make a difference. Welsh science policy should be dictated by quality not quantity.2) Science teaching in schools needs to be given higher priority. I presume that Mathematics is included in the committee's consideration. At the most basic level we must ensure our young people are numerate and have a sound understanding of the basic physical sciences. Every child should for instance be made aware of the principles of the periodic table. That may go no further than appreciating everything is made of discrete elements, some of which are heavier than others. Even that will benefit children enormously. The sciences should be applauded, not seen as the domain of the few and clever.3) Science (and its application) should be placed squarely at the centre of much of our decision making processes. The political process has to balance competing interests but too often today, decisions are reached without reference to the facts. The Labour Government has become a past master at this. The Assembly is keen to be better informed, but we still need stronger formal relationships between the political and scientific communities.4) We need to find new ways of harnessing joint working between the academic and business communities. Universities are already good at this but smaller units such as schools, FE colleges and public sector bodies are less able to make effective contacts. WAG has a major role in producing an environment in which these other bodies wish to make a contribution to Wales' scientific effort. That is most likely to be by providing input material - answering questionnaires, providing volunteers for research or facilitating field work - to the leading academic forums. The change requires people to escape from their silos and ask themselves "what can I do for Wales Inc.?" WAG can lead that process.