Trading places: University of Leicester scientist swaps roles with parliamentarian for Royal Society Pairing Scheme 2025

An expert in environmental health at the University of Leicester will gain a unique insight into the workings of government thanks to a unique pairing scheme.

Next week (24 – 27 March), Dr Samuel Cai will be one of 30 UK scientists swapping places with politicians and civil servants for four days, exploring the world of politics as part of the annual Royal Society Pairing Scheme. 

The scheme, which has been running since 2001 in partnership with the Government Office for Science's GSE Profession Team. It aims to help to build relationships between scientists and politicians, ensuring that policymakers can make decisions based on the best scientific evidence.

The scheme takes place in the week that Chancellor Rachel Reeves will give her Spring Statement, at a time when the role of science and innovation in driving economic growth has never been more important.

Scientists taking part this year are drawn from universities and research institutes across the UK, including the University of Loughborough, UCL Cancer Institute, and the University of Edinburgh. 

They will be shadowing a range of parliamentarians and civil servants, including five newly elected MPs: Jayne Kirkham, Dr Scott Arthur, Laurence Turner, Ian Sollom, and Adam Thompson.

Over the course of the week, scientists will get a behind the scenes insight into how policy is formed, shadowing a policy maker to learn about their work and how they can best share their expertise. 

Dr Cai’s research focuses on investigating environmental exposures such as air and noise pollution on human health, and the scheme will be invaluable in understanding how science is interpreted and used for policymaking and to make sure his scientific works are impactful and policy-bound.

Dr Samuel Cai from the University of Leicester Centre for Environmental Health and Sustainability said: “One of the highlights is that I have been paired with Lord Krebs, who is a member of the Environment and Climate Change Committee at the House of Lords. Back in February 2025, I have had the privilege to spend a day at the House of Lords to shadow his work at Parliament, such as preparation for evidence hearing and observing the debates on various bills in the chamber. I had observed the Select Committee’s evidence hearing section on nitrogen pollution and respiratory health, which is highly relevant to my research.  In the coming week, we will continue to exchange thoughts on our works, science and policymaking respectively.

“Later this year, I will invite Lord Krebs to visit the Centre for Environmental Health and Sustainability at the University, and we will showcase how our fantastic works can support evidence-based policymaking to improve population and patient health.”

Other parliamentarians include Baroness Sheehan, Lords Chair of the Environment and Climate Change Committee; Lord Clement-Jones, Lords Spokesperson for the Digital Economy; and Baroness Bennett of Manor Castle, former Leader of the Green Party of England and Wales.

On Wednesday evening, a Parliamentary reception with speeches from Baroness Brown of Cambridge FRS; Sir Adrian Smith, President of the Royal Society; and Chi Onwurah MP, Chair of the House of Commons Science, Innovation and Technology Committee.

The scheme will continue later in the year when parliamentarians visit their scientist pairs at their home institutions.

Sir Adrian Smith, President of the Royal Society, said: “At a time when science and scientists are under threat around the globe, programmes such as the Royal Society Pairing Scheme have never been more important. We must continue to strengthen links between scientists and policy makers. Having this group of UK scientists in Westminster to develop their understanding of policy making and share their expertise to shape it can help ensure research is translated into policy that improves lives.”