What is science policy?
Very simply, science policy encompasses the decisions and actions carried out by government, private sector organizations and individuals, in respect to the supporting both financial and organizational, scientific research and development. This can occur on a local or national level.
Who is involved in the UK?
The Office of Science and Innovation (OIS)
A part of the Department of Trade and Industry, and is responsible for UK Science Policy as well as for allocation of the Science Budget into research via the eight Research Councils for which the Director General of Science and Innovation is responsible. The OSI is lead by Professor Sir David King, the Chief Scientific Adviser to the Prime Minister.
Council for Science and Technology (CST)
CST's is an independent advisory board, which advises the Prime Minister and the First Ministers of Scotland and Wales on strategic issues that cut across the responsibilities of individual government departments.
Parliamentary Office of Science and Technology (POST)
The UK Parliament’s aim is to inform parliamentary debate and provide an independent, balanced and accessible analysis of public policy issues related to science and technology.
Select Committee on Science and Technology
The function of the House of Commons and House of Lords Science and Technology Committee’s are to examine the expenditure, administration and policy of the OSI and its associated public bodies.
Other Organizations
A number of other organizations are also involved either by providing evidence to the above-mentioned organizations, by implementing and developing local science policies or questioning and examining current science policies. These groups including: The Research Councils UK (RCUK), The Royal Society, The Royal Society of Chemistry (RSC), Institute of Physics (IOP), The Wellcome Trust, Campaign for Science and Engineering in the UK (CaSE - formally Save British Science), and Newton’s Apple.
