Vanessa Spedding is the Shorts editor

Pounds in space

The UK is to play a major role in European Space Agency's (ESA’s) space exploration and environmental science programmes. On top of the mandatory ESA subscription of £374 million for science and ‘basic activities,’ the UK has subscribed £74million to the Aurora programme (which includes a robotic mission to Mars), £141 to the Earth Observation Envelope Programme, and more to satellite monitoring and telecommunication programmes.

Models of agreement

The DTI’s Lambert Model Agreements have simplified the process of constructing collaborative contracts between academia and industry, according to a survey carried out by the Association for University Research and Industry Links. The survey revealed that the five contracts devised by the Lambert Working Group have proven useful to higher education institutions although more work is required to promote them to industry.

Best practice for good advice

The House of Commons Science and Technology Committee is looking into the way in which government obtains and uses scientific advice for the development of policy. The inquiry will explore the technology behind the government’s proposal for identity cards among other examples, and in each case will address the process of policy development rather than actual policies, including how risk is handled.

Science and heritage

The House of Lords Select Committee on Science and Technology is examining the role of science, engineering and technology in the preservation of the UK’s cultural heritage (including buildings, works of art, manuscripts and archaeological relics). It will look at the application of scientific and engineering techniques to monitoring and conservation and new ways of enhancing public understanding of and access to cultural objects.

Inspecting military funding again

The Fellowship of Reconciliation is examining how military organisations fund and influence university teaching and R&D from the students' perspective. Information is available from Martha Beale: Martha@for.org.uk. Meanwhile Scientists for Global Responsibility has published a new careers briefing on the military’s involvement in science and technology and how it can affect career choice for students and professionals.

More science needed for waste study

The Royal Society has suggested that the Committee on Radioactive Waste Management (CoRWM) engages immediately with the scientific and engineering learned societies as it moves into the final stages of its review of the options for managing the UK's radioactive waste. Its work needs stronger scientific input, said the society, to complement its public engagement activities.

Our energy challenge

As the government launches its consultation into a long-term energy strategy, amid rumours that nuclear power is back on the agenda, a survey has shown that just over 50 per cent of the public may be prepared to accept new nuclear power stations to help to tackle climate change, but far more believe that promoting renewable energy (78 per cent) and reducing energy use (76 per cent) are better ways of tackling climate change than nuclear power.

Strong words from new chief

The new President of the Royal Society, Lord Rees of Ludlow, otherwise known as Professor Sir Martin Rees, has reacted to news that US greenhouse gas emissions rose yet again in 2004 – the biggest annual rise since 2000 – by emphasising the international need to act with ‘even greater urgency and resolve now’. UK emissions have also risen in each of the last two years.

Vanessa Spedding is the Shorts editor