The event is designed to give a panel of young scientists a chance to ask questions of ministers and civil servants including Sir Mark Walport (the Government’s Chief Scientific Adviser), Rt Hon David Willetts (Minister for Universities and Science) and Rt Hon Liam Byrne (Shadow Minister for Universities and Science), along with members of the House of Commons Science and Technology Committee.
Dr Weijia Yuan from our Department of Electronic & Electrical Engineering represented the Royal Academy of Engineering at the event, and Dr Valeska Ting from our Department of Chemical Engineering represented the Royal Society. The event took place in the Boothroyd Room at Portcullis House and was broadcast on the BBC’s Parliamentary channel.
One of the highlights for Valeska was discussion about carbon storage, sustainable development and room-temperature superconductivity - technologies that the Select Committee members stated they would like to see developed during their lifetimes.
Dr Ting said: "The event was a fantastic opportunity to directly engage with those running our country, and to challenge them about issues in science and education that concerned us. We gained valuable insight into the different viewpoints and evidence that have to be taken into consideration when making policy decisions, as well as a greater appreciation of the breadth and diversity of knowledge that is needed to advise the government on science and education."
For further details about the 'Voice of the Future' event see the Parliament webpages here, and you can watch Weijia and Valeska in action on the BBC Parliament pages.
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