UNIVERSITY NEWS LAST UPDATED : 02 JANUARY 2019
Ashok Patel, Senior Lecturer in Biomedical Science at Birmingham City University, looks back on his week in Westminster as part of his pairing with Steve McCabe MP.
The Royal Society’s Pairing Scheme gives policymakers and researchers an opportunity to experience each other’s worlds. Each year 30 researchers are paired with UK parliamentarians and civil servants.
Ashok’s research focuses on genetic predisposition to complex diseases such as diabetic kidney disease and dementia in Down’s syndrome. He develops research projects with clinicians based in Birmingham hospitals and is keen to work on projects which will benefit communities in the region. Ashok explained:
“My week began by checking into the Strand Palace Hotel in London, before meeting others on the Pairing Scheme for dinner in Covent Garden.
“The next day, we all had a tour of the Palace of Westminster, attended workshops at the Royal Society building on how Government works and how science informs policy making, visited an exhibition by a number of research organisations and a reception titled ‘Science: thinking globally, delivering locally’ with Norman Lamb MP – Chair of the Commons Science and Technology Committee; Chi Onwurah MP – Shadow Minister for Industrial Strategy Science and Innovation; and Professor Brian Foster – Vice President of the Royal Society.
“I had the opportunity to spend two days shadowing Steve McCabe MP, with whom I am paired as part of the Scheme, as he went about his daily business in parliament. On my final day in Westminster, I was at the Government Office for Science and attended talks by Government Chief Scientific Advisor, Dr Patrick Vallance, and Deputy Director, Science and Security, Dr Alan Pitt.
“Steve McCabe even arranged for me to have a ticket to Prime Minister’s Questions – which was great fun!”
Eye-opening
“I was also struck by how welcoming the Government Office for Science is of projects where scientists and artists work together to develop ideas into useful practice, something which puts our University in a good position with our strong focus on STEAM.”
Shaping policy
“I have a much greater understanding of Government functions and the processes by which scientists, from all backgrounds, can influence policy making. I am much more aware of Select Committees and how they provide scrutiny of specific issues and Government departments.
“I especially enjoyed taking part in the mock Select Committee that was organised by the Royal Society, where I, along with colleagues on the Pairing Scheme, was able to question senior policy makers and advisors on the verification process of scientific information used by Government.”
The University’s role
“I am much more aware of how Birmingham City University staff can get involved with shaping and influencing Government policy now, and realise the importance of communicating with parliamentarians, be that local MPs, the Government Officer for Science or playing a role in research organisations that lobby Government and offering to be Expert Witnesses for Government departments.
“I’m thoroughly looking forward to the next part of the Scheme, where Steve McCabe will visit us at the University to learn more about us and the research we are undertaking.”
Find out more about Ashok Patel’s research on the University’s website.