Leicester scientist heads to Westminster
On Tuesday 13 March, PhD student at our University Katie Raymer will be attending Voice of the Future 2018- a unique event offering young scientists and engineers the opportunity to quiz key political figures at the Houses of Parliament about science policy.
Organised by the Royal Society of Biology on behalf of the science and engineering community, the annual event reverses the format of a Parliamentary Select Committee, giving a panel of early career scientists the opportunity to question senior figures from Parliament and Government on issues that matter to them.
At the event, Katie will be representing on the Royal Astronomical Society, and will have the opportunity to pose a question to the panel.
In 2016, Katie won a highly prestigious STFC fellowship with the Parliamentary Office of Science and Technology (POST). POST provides balanced and accessible overviews of research from across the biological, physical and social sciences, and engineering and technology.
During her POST fellowship last year, she wrote a policy briefing on “Online information and Fake News” and contributed to the House of Commons Library’s Key Issues for the New Parliament briefing. Since returning to her PhD she has continued to be involved in Parliamentary events such as UK Parliament Week and speaking at a Parliament training event in Leicester.
Katie said: “I am really excited to attend the Voice of the Future 2018 event. I think it’s a fantastic opportunity for early career scientists and engineers to engage with key figures from Parliament and Government, which include the Minister of State for Universities and the Government’s Chief Scientific Advisor.
“The event provides a platform for young scientists like myself to ask questions about science policy issues that matter to us, particularly issues surrounding the UK’s exit from the EU and the future of UK research.”
The Voice of the Future 2018 event will be webcast live on the Science and Technology Committee part of the parliamentary website from 9am on the day and can be followed on Twitter using the #VOF2018 hashtag.