Foundation for Science and Technology

In this podcast, Professor Yadvinder Malhi, Professor of Ecosystems Services, University of Oxford, discusses G7 Science Academies statement on biodiversity loss, including processes for valuing and accounting for biodiversity, and the UN Biodiversity COP15 meeting.

Sarah Chaytor, Director of Research Strategy and Policy, UCL, Grace Gottlieb, Head of Research Policy, UCL, and Graeme Reid, Chair of Science and Research Policy, UCL, authors of a HEPI report on Regional policy and R&D discuss R&D in different regions of the UK, how to measure it, and future policy in this area.

In this podcast Dr Stephanie Wray, Director of Nature Positive and former President of the Chartered Institute of Ecology and Environmental Management discusses the UN Convention on Biodiversity and upcoming Biodiversity COP, and actions and policies needed in the UK.

In this podcast Professor Dame Wendy Hall DBE FRS FREng, Regius Professor of Computer Science at the University of Southampton and a member of the AI Council, discusses developing an AI Strategy for the UK, including funding in R&D, skills development, and trust in AI systems.

In this podcast Maria Tazi, Missions Publiques, discusses the “We the Internet” project, in which people in 80 countries were consulted about their views on the internet, how it should be regulated, disinformation, artificial intelligence and data. A report of the findings can be found here: https://wetheinternet.org/.

Professor Marcel Jaspars, Chair in Chemistry at the University of Aberdeen and Vice-President International at the Royal Society of Edinburgh, discusses science, research and higher education issues in Scotland, in advance of the Scottish Parliamentary elections. During the podcast, reference is made to a science hustings event, which can be found here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VXoa_6rRsaU

In this podcast Dr Rameen Shakur, Clinician scientist in cardiology at MIT (USA)and Founder and CEO of Cambridge Heartwear, based in Cambridge(UK)discusses how AI can be used to help detect irregular heartbeats, the use of algorithms in medicine, and where AI could be used in the coming years.

In this podcast Flo Sharman, a MQ Mental Health Ambassador, provides a personal perspective of the effect of the lockdown on mental health, concerns for when the lockdown ends, and future mental health provision.

In this podcast, Kate Day, Managing Director, KRD Training, discusses mental health of children and the effect of the lockdown, drivers for increase in mental health difficulties, and the long term legacy of the pandemic.

In this weeks podcast Professor Louise Arsenault, Professor of Developmental Psychology, Kings College London, discusses mental health of children, the effect of the lockdown, and the policy priorities for government.

In this podcast Monika Jephcott, Chief Executive of Play Therapy UK discusses how play therapy support children’s mental health, the effect of the lockdown on children’s mental health and developing skills to support children going forward.

Richard Halsey, Capabilities Director, Energy Systems Catapult, discusses the UK’s overall energy system and where hydrogen fits in; the need for blue and green hydrogen and the government action needed.

Sinead Lynch, Chair of Shell UK discusses the role of hydrogen technologies in reaching net zero including blue hydrogen and carbon and the Hydrogen Advisory Council.

Professor Pericles Pilidis, Head of Power and Propulsion Department, Centre for Propulsion Engineering, Cranfield University discusses hydrogen powered aviation. Including technical barriers to designing and building aircraft and potential government action and commercial opportunities.

In this podcast Professor Dame Anne Johnson, President of the Academy of Medical Sciences and Professor of Infectious Disease Epidemiology at University College London discusses the work of the Academy of Medical Sciences, tackling the coronavirus pandemic, and scientists working with policymakers.

Rachel Coldicutt, Director of Careful Industries discusses the proposal for a UK version of “ARPA” (Advanced Research Projects Agency).

In the first podcast of 2021 Phil Smith, Chairman of IQE and former CEO and Chair of CISCO UK discusses plans to develop a “UK ARPA”. Including why its needed, difference in innovation culture between UK and USA, and what success would like like.

Julia Pyke, Director of Sizewell C Financing & Economic Regulation, discusses production of hydrogen in nuclear power stations, especially Sizewell C, and the development of UK nuclear over the next few years.

Dr Robert Hoyle, Head of Science, Welsh Government Office for Science, discusses medical isotopes; what they are, how they are produced, and the possibility of building an experimental nuclear reactor in the UK to produce them.

Paul Feldman, Chief Executive, JISC discusses online teaching and learning in higher education including how universities have adapted during the pandemic and the long term implications for higher education.

Professor Tansy Jessop, Pro Vice-Chancellor, University of Bristol, discusses online teaching and learning in universities, including the question of what does high quality look like, student outcomes, and the wider student experience.

Stephanie Smith, Head of Policy for Research & International, Russell Group, discusses UK research policy, levelling up R&D expenditure, and the contribution of the UK research to tackling coronavirus.

In this podcast, Priya Guha, Venture Partner, Merian Ventures and a Council Member of Innovate UK, discusses the UK innovation system, scale-ups and ensuring the innovation system is inclusive.

Lizzie Crowley, Senior Skills Advisor, Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD), discusses workplace skills and how they are changing, including human skills and life long learning.

Professor Gerry McKenna, Senior Vice-President, Royal Irish Academy, discusses R&D in Northern Ireland, including levelling up and the R&D roadmap, and EU Structural funds and implications of Brexit.