21/10/2010

Science & the Spending Review

Compared with some areas, science seems to have got off lightly in the spending review, though there will still be reductions in real terms. Quentin asks Science and Universities Minister David Willetts how he managed to plead a special case for science and how he expects to get his money back in terms of the benefits to the economy of science and technology innovation. And what is the best way, with limited funds, to ensure that the best ideas get the support they need? Should research be directed towards clear technological goals with obvious financial returns, or is there an even greater need for 'blue skies' research that may be more creative but for which the returns may not yet be apparent?

Joining Quentin and the Science Minister to discuss these issues are: the mathematician Sir Martin Taylor, author of a Royal Society report on the ROOTS OF CURIOSITY; Dr Mark Downs, Chief Executive of the Society of Biology; Professor Laurence Eaves of Nottingham University; and Professor Stuart Haszeldine, whose chair at Edinburgh University is supported by Scottish Power for research into carbon capture and storage.