SCIENCE

Typical questions

Points to consider

Where to look

Key organizations

UK

British Council

www.britishcouncil.org/science-uk.htm

Promotes Britain overseas. Website has a good introductory guide to the organization of British science and technology which identifies key organizations and bodies. It also maintains information on research funding and international collaboration.

British Science Association

www.britishscienceassociation.org

Seeks to improve public understanding of science. Organizes regular science festivals, details of which can be found on its website, along with classroom activities for teachers and advice on how to get funding for scientific study.

Foundation for Science and Technology

www.foundation.org.uk

Promotes debate between Parliament, government departments, business and academia on policy issues relating to science. Copies of many debates are published on the website.

Higher Education Academy

www.heacademy.ac.uk

Supports lecturers in UK higher education. Subject coverage includes Chemistry, Physics, Astronomy and Forensic Science. Website includes information and news about teaching and learning initiatives.

The Royal Institution of Great Britain

www.rigb.org

Conducts research and promotes science to the public through its lecture series. Some of its famous lectures can be viewed online.

Science Council

www.sciencecouncil.co.uk

Umbrella organization which represents the views of over 30 scholarly and professional bodies from all areas of science. Website provides access to events listings, careers information and policy statements. Many of the latter cover attitudes towards government policy and funding.

UK Research Councils

Those relevant to science are:

Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC)

www.bbsrc.ac.uk

Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC)

www.epsrc.ac.uk

Natural Environment Research Council (NERC)

www.nerc.ac.uk

Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC)

www.stfc.ac.uk

They all have individual websites with training sections, news about government funding and databases of completed and on-going research projects. In many cases this also includes links to full-text articles and reports.

Wellcome Trust

www.wellcome.ac.uk

Major funder of scientific research. Website can be used to locate funding opportunities, plus news and reports from on-going projects.