30/04/08 Science Budget Allocations
CaSE supports many of the findings of the Innovation, Universities, Science and Skills Committee report on Science Budget Allocations. Commenting, CaSE's Director, Nick Dusic, said, "The Government needs to respect the Haldane Principle and stop interfering with how Research Councils allocate their funding. The Science Budget Allocations targeted funding at various government priorities leaving most Research Councils unable to maintain their investment in fundamental research. The STFC was the hardest hit by this and the Government must now find a solution to the funding crisis in physics and astronomy before the UK’s loses its scientific standing in these areas."
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29/04/08 Science Funding
CaSE welcomed John Denham's speech today on Science Funding. Commenting, CaSE's Director Nick Dusic, said "It was good to hear the Secretary of State supporting the Haldane Principle and fundamental science. However, the last Science Budget Allocations did not reflect today's good words. The Government had too much influence over how Research Councils allocated their funding and there was too much emphasis on economic impact. It is critical that DIUS produces a clear science policy strategy that sets out how it will support the UK's scientific and engineering community."

28/04/08 Crucible 2008
CaSE enjoyed the opportunity to meet early career researchers. After attending the NESTA Crucible reception for 2008, Hilary Leevers commented that it was great to see how enthused these up and coming researchers were to broaden the range of their collaborations. She was also pleased that they were keen to understand and influence science policy as well as to engage with the media.

23/04/08 Implementation of the REF
CaSE welcomes the Government's acknowledgement that the Research Excellence Framework proposals need more work and the provision of an extra year to develop them. CaSE voiced serious concerns about the use of bibliometric indicators and it is critical that over the next year a workable and appropriate system is developed with genuine input from the science and engineering community. Nick Dusic, Director of CaSE added: "The revised proposals for science and engineering subjects must include greater flexibility including provision for meaningful peer review. As the REF will have a significant impact on the practice of science and engineering in the UK, it is critical that the Government and HEFCE gets this right."
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17/04/08 Nick Dusic met with specialists in the Innovation, Universities, Science and Skills Committee and the director of the Parliamentary Office of Science and Technology.

14/04/08 Women in Science
The Women's Rights and Gender Equality (FEMM) Committee of the European Parliament voted to adopt a new report on the under-representation of women in science. The report made many recommendations including improving stereotypes, supporting the scientific careers of women, improving transparency of recruitment procedures and the inclusion of at least 40% women (and 40% men) on evaluation and selection committees. Hilary Leevers commented "We welcome all measures to improve the representation of women in science. Despite much effort, progress has been slow and it is time to make sure that real change is occurring. We are looking forward to launching our own report on under-represented groups in science and engineering soon, entitled Delivering Diversity, which we hope will precipitate effective action in this area."

14/04/08 CaSE met with Oxford Instruments.

09/04/08 CaSE met with EADS Astrium.

08/04/08 CaSE met with Syngenta.

02/04/08 Biology Policy
Nick Dusic gave a presentation about CaSE to the Institute of Biology's Science Policy Board.

01/04/08 Engineering Seminar
Nick Dusic, Director of CaSE, participated in the Innovation, Universities, Science and Skills Committee seminar on engineering hosted by the Royal Academy of Engineering. CaSE earlier provided written evidence to this inquiry and was pleased to further support the Committee's work.