Taking science to the Scottish parliament
14 Dec 2011
On 9 November 2011, scientists from
throughout Scotland congregated
at Our Dynamic Earth, Edinburgh
for the Science and the Parliament
Meeting, organised by the Royal
Society of Chemistry.
Around 30 organisations and
300 delegates were in attendance
and the evening exhibition allowed
plenty of time for networking.
The SCI Scotland group were
on hand with our stand, which was
looked after by chairman Russell
Howe, new student members Shona
Rhydderch and Eva Beukes, and in
part by Tom Clarkson, secretary.
Once again the event was well
organised and the committee are
pleased to continue SCI's involvement
in this important event, which gives
the scientific community in Scotland
the opportunity to interact with MSPs
and put forward its views. This year,
unsurprisingly, the title was Science
and the Economy. In Scotland, the
chemicals sector supports 84,000
jobs and generates around £1.3bn in
manufacturing exports but as with all
sectors has been severely affected by
the current downturn.
The plenary speaker was John
Swinney MSP, Cabinet Secretary
for Finance, Employment and
Sustainable Growth. Speeches
from Prof Anne Glover (Chief
Scientific Adviser), Douglas Frazer
(BBC journalist), Richard Baker MSP
and Stuart McMillan MSP followed.
Breakout sessions focusing on the economy, climate change and
education were held, and just before
the close of the formal part of the
event, Prof Alice Brown talked
about women in STEM subjects.
Thomas Clarkson
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