Department of Industry, Science and Resources’ Post

I have studied science and technology as sources of American power for a very long time and this is a sobering assessment from our authoritative National Academies. The fundamental links between a national strategy for leadership, investments in higher education to develop tomorrow’s cutting-edge brains (physical, life, and social scientists and engineers) and Congressional funding through our National Science Foundation and the National Institutes for Health Sciences for basic research is critical to our national economic health and our national security.

Let me post one more bit of food for thought on top of the post I am passing along to my own sparse timeline, because a decade in DC has underscored an indelible reality that seems to continue to fall short of comprehension for many. Research theories, practices, and products are borne from the classroom. And for anyone to assume *which classroom I speak of when it comes to research *foundations, I’m betting many think it comes from those courses that start with the numbers 400s, 500s, and 600s. Nope. It’s the 100s, 200s, and 300s. And if the United States with its long-standing educational *system doesn’t find ways to improve outcomes there, the gaps in our research will continue to grow. Maybe you didn’t think that even the most basic “101” science course matters to something as critical as our research enterprise (plus much more) and our national security. I wager some introspection on this concept would be valuable for many. I bet Michael Martin and a few others get my drift.

Inspired by a recent post from Emma Steenson on the worst job I've ever had, I started reflecting on some memorable events in my employment history. It became quite the cathartic experience and I’ve not even worked in the health services or armed forces... Just a snapshot: • being asked if I was a virgin by a large group of staff on my first day in one job.  • not being given protective equipment in one factory apart from on inspection days or when the owner was trying to get a new client • cleaning toilets and being required to pick up discarded syringe cases with no protection • The usual vomit and other types of cleaning jobs • Being literally picked up, carried and put in a cardboard compactor • Splitting up fights on Bank Holidays and match days • Clearing up after said fights • Being locked in the freezer • Protecting students from gangs • Being bullied • Regularly trying to stop shoplifters who cleared shelves and ran off while I was alone in one store • Doing cash-ups alone in the store after having been told that 2 former colleagues had been raped/held at knife point in similar situations in the same store  • Managers telling me they wished they were 20/30 years younger, and then still trying Then I started working in #HigherEducation… of which much has been written about its toxic working conditions. Based on these and other experiences, I’ve always believed that even if the work itself isn’t great, the work environment doesn’t necessarily have to be so bad. Much of the suffering people experience is completely avoidable. And for the suffering that everyone experiences, a little care, empathy and #compassion goes a long way. That’s what drives my work. With that in mind, I will be presenting my research to date at the Society for Research into Higher Education (SRHE) conference below. This will focus on compassionate and toxic practices within UK Higher education and the role that coaching plays.

In the 400 years of its modern history the Netherlands has produced a distinguished array of eminent mathematicians, scientists and medical researchers including many Nobel-prize winners and other internationally recognised figures, from Stevin, Snel, and Huygens in the 17th century to Lorentz, Kammerlingh Onnes As per Elsevier's "Netherlands as a Science Nation Report 2024". The Netherlands excels in scientific impact, scoring 72% above the global average. Notably, 63% of Dutch research articles involve international collaborations, which result in more than double the global average impact. Furthermore, collaborations between Dutch companies and academic institutions produce outcomes with three times the world average impact. Impressively, 9% of all Dutch scientific publications are cited in policy documents, showcasing their significant influence. You can see the whole report here https://lnkd.in/gtdZauBX

We're making plans for University Research Week! Happening this year from October 21-25, we have some very exciting events lined up, including the Pariser Global Lecture for Innovation in Physical Sciences. Learn more below! #UNCResearch #UniversityResearchWeek #event #research

Grateful for the unwavering support of my supervisor, Dr Katie Wilson, and the opportunity provided by the Scientific Endeavours in Academia (SEA) conference organizing committee to share our research. #computationalchemistry #machinelearning #drugdiscovery #drugdesign #intermolecularinteractions #Science #Research #SEAconference #protein #carbohydrates #aminoacids #interactions #noncovalent #artificialintelligence #biochemistry

Citizen science, that can be defined as ‘the active engagement of non-professional scientists in scientific knowledge production’, can have great scientific and societal benefits. But it is also fraught with challenges as the existing research system is not truly adapted to this approach and many research institutions and policymakers are still hesitant to promote its use.  The OECD Global Science Forum (https://lnkd.in/eusEBBZp) workshop that just took place over the last two days precisely aimed at addressing those challenges, looking from both the practitioners’ and the science policymakers’ perspectives. The very rich discussions will be used to develop a policy framework, including experiences, challenges and good practices from a diversity of international stakeholders, which will help science policymakers integrate considerations of citizen science across science policy and promote broader understanding and policy consensus on the roles of citizen science.

The Initiative for Science in Europe has today transmitted a letter signed by 19 Nobel laureates to Ursula von der Leyen asking you to make research and innovation a prominent and standalone portfolio for the next College of Commissioners. The letter is also endorsed by EASAC President Wim van Saarloos, the President of the European Academy of Sciences, the President of ALLEA – The European Federation of Academies of Sciences and Humanities, and the Chair of the Young Academy of Europe, as well as the Secretary General of the League of European Research Universities (LERU). #itsscience #research #EU

MBIE has announced the Science System Advisory Group, which will develop a set of evidence-based recommendations for the future of the science, innovation, and technology system. MBIE has highlighted the members' fields of expertise. We all want our area of interest to be represented, so let's take a high-level look at the subject/field representation. Biology x3 Health x3 Food x1 Te Ao Māori x1 Innovation x1 As a physical scientist, I clearly don't see anyone in my colleagues corner. However, I also see zero representation for many of Aotearoa's critical needs and global expertise. • Environmental Science and Conservation ZERO • Agriculture and Forestry ZERO • Climate Change and Sustainability ZERO • Renewable Energy and Clean Tech ZERO • Data Science, AI, IT and Cybersecurity ZERO • Earth Sciences, Geology, Volcanology, Sysmology ZERO • Physics, Meteorology, Math, Oceanography ZERO • Economics ZERO • Emergency Management and Disaster Resilience ZERO Sigh. I just hope that the memberships highlighted backgrounds matter not and their systems insight is equitably transformative.

“The Netherlands is doing extremely well in the scientific field: leading the Top 20 most productive countries.” 🇳🇱 This conclusion drew Elsevier in their report on the current state of Dutch science.    The key success factor is international collaboration 🌏 🤝 . A large proportion of Dutch publications are the result of international collaborations, which have a significantly higher scientific impact. Research that results from academic-corporate collaborations has even more impact on science. Dutch universities succeed in collaborating with academic top insitutions from Europe and North America.   Full report (only in Dutch): https://lnkd.in/eXvWdQ5X    Find out more reasons why you should join the vibrant Life Sciences & Health ecosystem in the Netherlands: https://lnkd.in/eXTNZYf2