The science and art of scientific advice
| Dates: | 21 May 2015 |
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| Times: | 16:00 - 17:30 |
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| What is it: | Seminar |
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| Organiser: | Tyndall Manchester |
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| How much: | Free |
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| Who is it for: | Adults, Alumni, Current University students, General public, Post 16, University staff |
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| Speaker: | Professor James Wilsdon |
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In October 1964, Sir Solly Zuckerman was appointed the first UK Government Chief Scientific Adviser (GCSA). Fifty years on, scientific advice has never been in greater demand; nor it has been more contested. From climate change to cyber-security, poverty to pandemics, food technologies to fracking, the questions being asked of scientists, social scientists and other experts continue to multiply. At the same time, the authority and legitimacy of these experts is increasingly scrutinized.
Taking the institution of the GCSA as his starting point, James Wilsdon will describe how cultures of scientific advice in the UK have changed, to become more open, accountable and multidisciplinary. He will then survey the international landscape, looking in particular at recent controversies over EU scientific advice, and the outcomes of an inaugural global summit of scientific advisers in August 2014. He will ask whether the current enthusiasm for scientific advice and evidence-based policy is part of a broader shift towards more ‘experimental’ forms of government, and consider what this means for the relationship between experts, publics and democracy.
Speaker
Professor James Wilsdon
Role: Professor of science and democracy
Organisation: SPRU (Science Policy Research Unit), University of Sussex
Travel and Contact Information
Find event
C1
George Begg Building
Manchester
