Science and Education Policy

The Policy organization of the Biochemical Society identifies and acts on policy issues in science and education that affect the Society and its members. Policy activities include:

• Providing information and advice to government, the media and the general public
• Preparing and submitting responses to consultations made by bodies such as the government's Office of Science and Technology, Parliamentary Science and Technology Committees, Research Councils, Funding Councils, the Quality Assurance Agency or the Qualifications and Curriculum Authority
• The reponses typically relate to government science and education policy, the funding of teaching and research in higher education, the education and training of cellular and molecular life scientists, and engaging with the general public
• Preparing and issuing position papers on particular issues in the areas above
• Promoting careers in the cellular and molecular life sciences
• Promoting and supporting engagement between scientists and the general public
• Facilitating networking between bioscientists in industry and in academia

Because there is considerable overlap between policy and education interests of the Society, both activities are coordinated by the Policy, Education and Professional Affairs (PEPA) group.

Furthermore, because many of the policy issues that concern the Biochemical Society will affect equally other learned societies in the life sciences, the Society collaborates wherever appropriate with the UK Life Sciences Committee (UKLSC). The Biochemical Society is a founder member of UKLSC. This applies particularly to producing position papers and responses to consultations. In this way the Society benefits from the increased impact derived from being part of a much larger organization (UKLSC societies represent about 35,000 life scientists) and avoids duplication of effort.