Science and innovation at the BA Festival of Science
Embargo times: Detailed content of all talks is embargoed until midday on the day of delivery
The BA Festival of Science will take place in Liverpool from 6-11 September bringing over 350 of the UK’s top scientists and engineers to discuss the latest developments in science with the public.
England’s Northwest has a strong tradition of scientific excellence and boasts one of the largest concentrations of universities in Europe, with a combined turnover of £1.2 billion. The region also has more than 50 Research Institutes and a range of Science Parks and Incubators which are helping to support the start up and development of innovation-led, knowledge-based businesses.
The extensive programme of events at the BA Festival of Science, taking place at the University of Liverpool and across the city, incorporates a number that may be of interest to the business community.
What role can innovation play in meeting the major challenges facing the world economy? The event ‘Science, innovation and the economics of the future’ will bring leading UK academics together to discuss how science and industry relations will rightly play a big part in the resolution of challenges in the areas of bio-economy and sustainable energy supply. University and industry relations and their role in innovation will also be explored, as well as the more general factors which impinge on the ability of industry to supply innovative solutions to pressing problems.
Although science is first and foremost the exercise of human curiosity, it is increasingly seen as only of value in practical terms of how it can benefit our lives and future sustainability. ‘Blue skies research or grey skies ahead: the future of science funding’ will examine the issues. What is the right balance for government to invest in basic science and applied science? To what extent can (or should) the government try to steer the direction of research? Should society decide which scientific proposals to support?
Why is it that people sometimes do, and sometimes don't, take notice of what science is saying? How much is it to do with poor communication on the part of scientists and how much is it to do with the receptiveness of people, government officials and the policy community to new and emerging ideas? How can we better understand the complex relationships between science and policy and develop tools which better serve science, policy and society? Questions such as these will be tackled in ‘Fighting inertia for lasting change’, organised by the Fulbright Academy of Science and Technology.
There is also an opportunity to meet one of the winners of the inaugural Kavli Prize. This new initiative by the Norwegian Academy of Science and Letters, the Norwegian Ministry of Education and Research, and The Kavli Foundation was established to recognise outstanding scientific research, honour highly creative scientists, promote public understanding of scientists and their work, and foster international cooperation among scientists. Each winner receives $USD 1 million. Professor Sten Grillner from the Karolinska Institute's Nobel Institute for Neurophysiology in Stockholm, was a co-recipient of the Kavli Prize for Neuroscience earlier this year and will be speaking about his cutting edge research in ‘Join the Kavli prize winner in the logics of networks in motion – from genes to behaviour’.
This year’s BA Festival of Science is organised by the BA (British Association for the Advancement of Science) in partnership with the University of Liverpool. It is supported by the Department for Innovation, Universities & Skills, the Liverpool Culture Company and the Northwest Regional Development Agency.
In addition to talks and debates at the University of Liverpool, there will be a host of events happening throughout the city as part of the European Capital of Culture celebrations. For further information, including an online programme and how to book visit www.the-ba.net/festivalofscience.
ENDS
For further information contact:
Lisa Hendry, Press Officer, the BA
Tel: 020 7019 4946
Email: lisa.hendry@the-ba.net
Berwyn Jones, Press Assistant, the BA
Tel: 020 7019 4950
Email: berwyn.jones@the-ba.net
Notes 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 National Science and Engineering Week, the annual BA Festival of Science, programmes of regional and local events, and an extensive programme for young people in schools and colleges. The BA also organises specific activities for the science communication community in the UK through its Science in Society programme. For more information, please visit www.the-ba.net.
2. Images of the BA Festival of Science can be obtained from the BA Press Office.
3. The President of the BA for 2008-2009 is Sir David King KB ScD FRS. He is Director of the Smith School of Enterprise and the Environment at Oxford University and Director of Research (Chemical Physics) at Cambridge University. He served as the Government's Chief Scientific Adviser and Head of the Office of Science and Technology from October 2000 until December 2007.
4. Speakers have been asked to submit press papers for their talks, which include a summary of the talk and what is newsworthy about their research. Press papers will be available to registered press from late-August at www.the-ba.net/presspapers.
5. To register for access to the press papers or to the Press Centre at the BA Festival of Science, visit www.the-ba.net/pressregister.
6. The University of Liverpool is a member of the Russell Group of leading research-intensive institutions in the UK. It attracts collaborative and contract research commissions from a wide range of national and international organisations valued at more than £108 million annually. For more information visit www.liv.ac.uk.
7. The Liverpool Culture Company was established by Liverpool City Council in 2000 to lead the city’s bid to be European Capital of Culture 2008. In June 2003, following a two-year nationwide competition featuring 12 cities, Liverpool was chosen as the UK’s representative for 2008. The programme for 2008 includes more than 350 events and festivals – many of which are free – delivered in collaboration with major cultural institutions, artists, performers and venues throughout Liverpool and beyond. For more information visit www.liverpool08.com.
8. The Northwest Regional Development Agency (NWDA) leads the economic development and regeneration of England's Northwest and is responsible for: supporting business growth and encouraging investment; matching skills provision to employer needs; creating the conditions for economic growth; connecting the region through effective transport and communication infrastructure; and promoting the region’s outstanding quality of life. For further information and to view previous press releases visit us at www.nwda.co.uk.
The BA Festival of Science will take place in Liverpool from 6-11 September bringing over 350 of the UK’s top scientists and engineers to discuss the latest developments in science with the public.
England’s Northwest has a strong tradition of scientific excellence and boasts one of the largest concentrations of universities in Europe, with a combined turnover of £1.2 billion. The region also has more than 50 Research Institutes and a range of Science Parks and Incubators which are helping to support the start up and development of innovation-led, knowledge-based businesses.
The extensive programme of events at the BA Festival of Science, taking place at the University of Liverpool and across the city, incorporates a number that may be of interest to the business community.
What role can innovation play in meeting the major challenges facing the world economy? The event ‘Science, innovation and the economics of the future’ will bring leading UK academics together to discuss how science and industry relations will rightly play a big part in the resolution of challenges in the areas of bio-economy and sustainable energy supply. University and industry relations and their role in innovation will also be explored, as well as the more general factors which impinge on the ability of industry to supply innovative solutions to pressing problems.
Although science is first and foremost the exercise of human curiosity, it is increasingly seen as only of value in practical terms of how it can benefit our lives and future sustainability. ‘Blue skies research or grey skies ahead: the future of science funding’ will examine the issues. What is the right balance for government to invest in basic science and applied science? To what extent can (or should) the government try to steer the direction of research? Should society decide which scientific proposals to support?
Why is it that people sometimes do, and sometimes don't, take notice of what science is saying? How much is it to do with poor communication on the part of scientists and how much is it to do with the receptiveness of people, government officials and the policy community to new and emerging ideas? How can we better understand the complex relationships between science and policy and develop tools which better serve science, policy and society? Questions such as these will be tackled in ‘Fighting inertia for lasting change’, organised by the Fulbright Academy of Science and Technology.
There is also an opportunity to meet one of the winners of the inaugural Kavli Prize. This new initiative by the Norwegian Academy of Science and Letters, the Norwegian Ministry of Education and Research, and The Kavli Foundation was established to recognise outstanding scientific research, honour highly creative scientists, promote public understanding of scientists and their work, and foster international cooperation among scientists. Each winner receives $USD 1 million. Professor Sten Grillner from the Karolinska Institute's Nobel Institute for Neurophysiology in Stockholm, was a co-recipient of the Kavli Prize for Neuroscience earlier this year and will be speaking about his cutting edge research in ‘Join the Kavli prize winner in the logics of networks in motion – from genes to behaviour’.
This year’s BA Festival of Science is organised by the BA (British Association for the Advancement of Science) in partnership with the University of Liverpool. It is supported by the Department for Innovation, Universities & Skills, the Liverpool Culture Company and the Northwest Regional Development Agency.
In addition to talks and debates at the University of Liverpool, there will be a host of events happening throughout the city as part of the European Capital of Culture celebrations. For further information, including an online programme and how to book visit www.the-ba.net/festivalofscience.
ENDS
For further information contact:
Lisa Hendry, Press Officer, the BA
Tel: 020 7019 4946
Email: lisa.hendry@the-ba.net
Berwyn Jones, Press Assistant, the BA
Tel: 020 7019 4950
Email: berwyn.jones@the-ba.net
Notes 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 National Science and Engineering Week, the annual BA Festival of Science, programmes of regional and local events, and an extensive programme for young people in schools and colleges. The BA also organises specific activities for the science communication community in the UK through its Science in Society programme. For more information, please visit www.the-ba.net.
2. Images of the BA Festival of Science can be obtained from the BA Press Office.
3. The President of the BA for 2008-2009 is Sir David King KB ScD FRS. He is Director of the Smith School of Enterprise and the Environment at Oxford University and Director of Research (Chemical Physics) at Cambridge University. He served as the Government's Chief Scientific Adviser and Head of the Office of Science and Technology from October 2000 until December 2007.
4. Speakers have been asked to submit press papers for their talks, which include a summary of the talk and what is newsworthy about their research. Press papers will be available to registered press from late-August at www.the-ba.net/presspapers.
5. To register for access to the press papers or to the Press Centre at the BA Festival of Science, visit www.the-ba.net/pressregister.
6. The University of Liverpool is a member of the Russell Group of leading research-intensive institutions in the UK. It attracts collaborative and contract research commissions from a wide range of national and international organisations valued at more than £108 million annually. For more information visit www.liv.ac.uk.
7. The Liverpool Culture Company was established by Liverpool City Council in 2000 to lead the city’s bid to be European Capital of Culture 2008. In June 2003, following a two-year nationwide competition featuring 12 cities, Liverpool was chosen as the UK’s representative for 2008. The programme for 2008 includes more than 350 events and festivals – many of which are free – delivered in collaboration with major cultural institutions, artists, performers and venues throughout Liverpool and beyond. For more information visit www.liverpool08.com.
8. The Northwest Regional Development Agency (NWDA) leads the economic development and regeneration of England's Northwest and is responsible for: supporting business growth and encouraging investment; matching skills provision to employer needs; creating the conditions for economic growth; connecting the region through effective transport and communication infrastructure; and promoting the region’s outstanding quality of life. For further information and to view previous press releases visit us at www.nwda.co.uk.
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