Lynne Milford
Campaigns and Public Affairs Manager
Lynne Milford reflects on her time as CaSE’s Campaigns and Public Affairs Manager
I spent the first few days settling in, meeting colleagues and finding out which was the best cafetiere in the kitchen. (The biggest one, apparently.)
My remit at CaSE was clear – the first job was to create the Discovery Decade’s General Election plan. I duly developed a programme of events and publications to run across the year to November when the election was widely expected to be.
Well, we all know what happened next!
The snap election meant that CaSE had to pivot our plans and focus on the activities that could be done within six weeks and that were most useful to sector.
The priority became carrying out the next round of opinion polling to find out what the public wants to see from their politicians. This led to CaSE delivering our first-of-its-kind constituency-level analysis, which enabled us to create a beautiful booklet, Guide to R&D on the Doorstep, sent to every parliamentary candidate telling them about R&D in their constituency.
It was an impressive display of CaSE’s agility and its power as an independent voice of the sector.
Research Develop Thrive
I’ve also had the opportunity to lead on the launch of the Research Develop Thrive campaign, which aims to help the R&D sector better connect its public-facing identity. As with all of CaSE’s work, it’s backed by evidence that shows even many people across society don’t feel that R&D benefits them or their communities, Research Develop Thrive can support organisations to communicate that sense of purpose and place behind R&D, and connect their messaging to allied organisations across the sector.
Making R&D Matter to More People
But the highlight of the last nine months for me was organising CaSE’s landmark public opinion conference Making R&D Matter to More People in September. The Royal Institution was the perfect location to bring together senior R&D sector leaders and demonstrate how understanding public opinion can help strengthen our sector’s advocacy. Securing a speech and Q&A with the Secretary of State Rt Hon Peter Kyle MP was just the icing on the cake. We’d worked hard on the agenda to ensure we had the right speakers, and to hear feedback on how much attendees had enjoyed the day was lovely.
So, now it’s time for me to move on from CaSE. I’m sad to leave, but delighted that the team has secured the funding to continue with its vital work exploring public attitudes towards R&D. I couldn’t be prouder of them and I’m sure, like me, you’ll be keeping your eyes peeled for what they bring to the sector next!
Related resources
CaSE in 2024 – Director’s address to the AGM
04 December 2024
Executive Director Dr Alicia Greated gives her report on CaSE’s activities and successes at the 2024 AGM on November 26th.
CaSE 2023-24 Annual Review
29 October 2024
This year has seen changes to CaSE as an organisation, shifts in the UK political landscape, and important developments for the UK R&D sector.
A look ahead at 2024
30 January 2024
A General Election year presents a real opportunity for the R&D sector to make our voices heard.
CaSE in 2023 – Director’s address to the AGM
01 December 2023
Executive Director Professor Sarah Main gives her final report on CaSE’s activities and successes this year, as well as her reflections on a decade leading CaSE, at the 2023 AGM on 28th November.