PolicyLab meetings

Sustainable Intensification: the future of farming in Europe?

noreply@blogger.com (The Royal Society) — Thu, 16 May 2013 08:05:21 PDT

This PolicyLab event was held on 9 May and the panel included Professor David Baulcombe FRS, Professor Janet Dwyer, Dr Les Firbank, Martin Nesbit (Defra) and Martin Haworth (NFU).

Sustainable intensification is the buzzword of the moment for UK and EU farming policy. But in light of the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) reforms due later this year, does sustainable intensification represent an impossible paradox? Or does it really represent a viable future for Europe's farming industry? The panel broadly addressed the following questions: What is sustainable intensification? What is required from the CAP reform to make sustainable intensification economically viable? Do environmental services and biodiversity have a place in farming policy? Does it represent an attractive source of income and lifestyle choice for farmers? Will it work in the UK? Can sustainable intensification work within the Common Agricultural Policy?

Environment Secretary launches Capital Committee Workplan

noreply@blogger.com (The Royal Society) — Fri, 30 Nov 2012 08:05:04 PST

Secretary of State for Environment, food and rural affairs, Rt Hon Owen Paterson MP, gave a keynote speech at our most recent PolicyLab, Valuing nature: an audience with the Natural Capital Committee, on Monday 26 November.

Should Chad fund space science?

noreply@blogger.com (The Royal Society) — Wed, 09 Nov 2011 03:35:29 PST

At this PolicyLab, Professor Martyn Poliakoff FRS chairs a discussion on the efficacy of funding scientific research for development, and the role that African academies can play within their national science and innovation systems. Martyn is joined by a Panel comprising Michael Anderson, Director General for Policy and Global Issues, Department for International Development, Professor Shibru Tedla, Vice President of the Ethiopian Academy of Sciences and Andrew Scott, Policy and Programmes Director at Practical Action.

The importance of Marine Reserves and Marine Protected Areas – the New Zealand experience

noreply@blogger.com (The Royal Society) — Wed, 09 Nov 2011 01:51:56 PST

Professor Jonathan Gardner is a world-leading expert on marine protection strategies and the current recipient of the UK-NZ Link Foundation visiting Professorship. At this PolicyLab, Jonathan gives his perspective on the role that marine protected areas play in marine conservation and the potential contribution they can make to sustainable fisheries management based on the New Zealand experience. Professor Bob Watson FRS, DEFRA Chief Science Advisor, then speaks about the scientific rationale under-pinning promotion of marine conservation zones and the underlying criteria for selection.

An open and shut case? Debating the purposes of open science

noreply@blogger.com (The Royal Society) — Fri, 16 Sep 2011 02:43:51 PDT

Michael Nielsen was an internationally known scientist who helped pioneer the field of quantum computation, whose forthcoming book 'Reinventing Discovery' argues that the information revolution is part of a major shift in how scientific discoveries are made. At this PolicyLab, Michael sets out what he means by open science and why it will be worth a step-change in scientific practice to get there. Geoffrey Boulton FRS will then offer his perspective on the purposes of opening up science, linked to the Royal Society's study of 'Science as a Public Enterprise'.