the-BA : BA Press Release

Embargoed until 00:30am Thursday 29 March 2007

The BA (British Association for the Advancement of Science) responds to the Conservative Party ‘STEM and Society’ Consultation Paper

The BA welcomes the Conservative Party's 'STEM and Society' Consultation Paper which was published today, as a stimulus to further discussion. In particular we support the emphasis the paper gives to the promotion of a positive and inspiring vision of what science can do for our society, to the importance of effective public engagement with science and to the support and recognition for scientists to carry out public engagement activities.

Roland Jackson, Chief Executive of the BA says: ‘Questions of the public perception of risk and of public trust are significant matters addressed in the report, although we are dubious of the validity of the concept of reducing the comparison of risks to a 'Richter Scale for Risk'. Questions of risk and trust can be tackled through public engagement, provided that any government, of whatever political persuasion, recognises that the process is two-way: policy advisors and government need to listen and respond openly to public interests and concerns as well as championing science, technology, engineering and mathematics.’

Any proposed institutional arrangements, such as a 'Science, Engineering and Society Agency', should have this two-way process at its core, and we believe that any such 'champion' of STEM would be more trusted if seen as independent of government rather than as a government agency.

ENDS

For further information please contact:

Lisa Hendry, Press Officer, the BA
Tel: +44 (0)20 7019 4946
Email: lisa.hendry@the-ba.net

Note for editors

1. The BA (British Association for the Advancement of Science) is the UK's nationwide, open membership organisation that exists to advance the public understanding, accessibility and accountability of the sciences and engineering. Established in 1831, the BA organises major initiatives across the UK, including the annual BA Festival of Science, National Science and Engineering Week, programmes of regional and local events, and an extensive programme for young people in schools and colleges. For more information about the BA, please visit www.the-ba.net.

2. The STEM and Society Consultation Paper is the third report of the Conservative Science, Engineering, Technology & Mathematics (STEM) Task Force. Further details can be found at http://www.iantaylormp.com/type2.asp?id=90&type=2

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