Science is Vital Campaign

I am not a scientist any more, but I know that scientific research is vital to the UK and the rest of the world. I therefore wholeheartedly support the campaign brought to my attention by Professor Stephen Curry of Imperial College, London yesterday. Stephen is an eloquent writer so I am, rather lazily, just going to paste what he says here:

"I am writing to you today on behalf of Science Is Vital to ask for your help in supporting an urgent campaign aimed at preventing destructive funding cuts to science and engineering in the UK.

The government is scheduled to make public its Comprehensive Spending Review on October 20th where its detailed plans for public spending will be announced. Vince Cable, the Business Secretary and David WIlletts, the Minister for Science have both made it clear that science cannot expect to be immune from cuts but that it is up to scientists to make the case. As yet, final decisions have not been made - though in all likelihood Cable and Willetts are in deep discussions with the Treasury.

Our campaign is therefore urgent and important. It has three main prongs, emphasising the economic and political cost of not supporting science and engineering:

- a petition and MP letter-writing campaign highlighting the case for investment
- a rally in central London of scientists, engineers and those who support them on the 9th of October: wear your white coat or hardhat or whatever symbol of your scientific discipline you feel is relevant
- a lobby of MPs in Parliament on the 12th of October

Details on how to participate are at www.scienceisvital.org.uk

I hope you can at the very least sign the petition and write to your MP but your support at the planned rally and parliamentary lobby would be fantastic.

This is also an opportunity for UK scientists to stand up, not just to be counted, but also to seek recognition for the enormous contribution that science makes to society and the economy in this country. If you think you can add to the argument opposing deep cuts in the UK science budget, please get in touch."

The petition is here.