First research culture discussion events announced

We are delighted to announce the first discussion events being co-hosted by the Council and universities as part of our project exploring the culture of scientific research in the UK. The aim of the events will be to debate how the different features of the UK research environment are affecting, both positively and negatively, the work and behaviour of scientists at all stages of their careers. We will be considering questions such as:

• What motivates scientists and what pressures are they under?
• What effects are funding and publishing systems having on the production of high quality, ethical scientific research?
• Are current methods for assessing the quality of science working?
• Is competition in science a good thing?

The discussions that take place will be captured and, along with the other activities of the project such as the online survey, presented to policy makers towards the end of 2014. Most of the events will be open to anyone with an interest in the area, including staff at the host university and those working at nearby research universities, institutions, organisations and companies. Information about each event is provided below.

University College London - registration now open

Friday 20 June 2014 12.00-12.30 Sandwich lunch (Darwin Building, Rooms B05 and B15, UCL) 12.30-2.00 Discussion event (Medical Sciences and Anatomy Building, Room 131 A V Hill LT, UCL) Access to both venues via Malet Place, off Torrington Place, London WC1E 7JE Speakers:

• Jonathan Montgomery, Professor of Health Care Law, UCL; Chair of the Nuffield Council on Bioethics; and Chair of the Health Research Authority (Chair)
• Geraint Rees, Professor of Cognitive Neurology, Institute of Neurology, UCL
• Philip Campbell, Editor, Nature
• Giovanna Tinetti, Professor of Astrophysics, UCL

Free and open to all. Register here: www.surveymonkey.com/s/sci-culture-UCL

University of East Anglia - registration now open

Tuesday 8 July 2014 12.00-2.00 pm (sandwiches available from 12.00) Queen's building, UEA Speakers include:

• Tom Shakespeare, Senior Lecturer in Medical Sociology, Norwich Medical School, University of East Anglia and Member of the Nuffield Council on Bioethics (Chair)
• Ottoline Leyser, Professor of Plant Development and Director of the Sainsbury Laboratory at the University of Cambridge; Deputy Chair of the Nuffield Council on Bioethics
• Yann Lebeau, Senior Lecturer in Educational Research and Associate Dean of Postgraduate Research, University of East Anglia
• Andrew Watkinson, Professor in Environmental Sciences, University of East Anglia

Free and open to all. Register here: https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/sci-culture-UEA

University of Sheffield

Wednesday 18 June 2014 Invitation-only event Speakers:

• Hugh Whittall, Director, Nuffield Council on Bioethics (Chair)
• David Grundy, Professor of Biomedical Science and Head of Department, Department of Biomedical Science, University of Sheffield
• Chris Littlewood, Research Fellow, School of Health and Related Research, University of Sheffield
• Linda Evans, Professor of Leadership and Professional Learning, School of Education, University of Leeds

Further events are planned at:

• University of Exeter
• University of Surrey
• University of Cambridge
• Cardiff University
• Manchester University
• Oxford Brookes University
• Newcastle University
• Edinburgh University
• University of Southampton
• Queen's University Belfast
• Aberystwyth University

More details to follow! If you work at a scientific research institution or company and would be interested in co-hosting an event with us, please contact Catherine Joynson, Programme Manager: cjoynson@nuffieldbioethics.org Find out more about our project on the culture of scientific research