From Lab Bench to Backbench

During the visit, Prof Wyatt shadowed Mr Bradshaw to  learn about his work, attended Prime Minister’s Question Time and met Professor David MacKay FRS, Chief Scientific Advisor to the Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC). The visit provided Prof Wyatt with a behind-the-scenes insight into how science policy is formed as well as an understanding of the working life of an MP.

Professor Wyatt, whose work focuses around developing ways to address health inequalities and improve community and population health and wellbeing, said: “It was really exciting to see the inner workings of Westminster. It was fascinating to  learn more about the process behind policy change, and how scientific evidence can feed into that in a meaningful way. Our ultimate aim is to work with people and communities to support behaviour  change, so it was very useful to discover how that interlinks with policy.”

Exeter MP Ben Bradshaw said: “It’s a real asset for Exeter to have world-class research and medical education in the city, and I’m very much looking forward to visiting the University of Exeter Medical School and finding out more about Prof Wyatt’s work. I am a firm believer that any changes in policy should be based on robust research, and my partnership with Prof Wyatt is helping me gain a deeper understanding of how scientists carry out their work.”

The Royal Society’s MP-Scientist pairing scheme aims to build bridges between parliamentarians and some of the best scientists in the UK. It is an opportunity for MPs to become better informed about science issues and for scientists to understand how they can influence science policy. Over 200 pairs of scientists and MPs have taken part in the scheme since it was launched in 2001.

Sir Paul Nurse, President of the Royal Society said: “We live in a world facing increasing challenges that can only be addressed with a clear understanding of science. From climate change to influenza outbreaks, GM food to nuclear power, our MPs have to make decisions about complex issues that will affect the lives of all those in the UK and, in many cases, more widely throughout the world. This means that MPs and scientists have a responsibility to engage with each other to get the best possible scientific advice into public policy making.

We set up the Royal Society’s MP Scientist pairing scheme in 2001 to provide the opportunity for MPs and scientists to build long-term relationships with each other and have now organised over two hundred pairings. 

I know many parliamentarians and scientists who have gained from the scheme, and the shaping of public policy can only improve over time as these relationships continue to grow.”