Campaign groups give evidence on EU membership and UK science

29 February 2016

The Lords Science and Technology Committee hears evidence from representatives from campaign groups as well as explores the perspective of a Swiss university on science and the EU.

These are the penultimate sessions of an inquiry into the relationship between EU membership and the effectiveness of UK science, research and innovation.

Witnesses

Tuesday 1 March in Committee Room 4A, Palace of Westminster

At 10.40am

Dr Mike Galsworthy, Scientists for EU
Professor Angus Dalgleish, Scientists for Britain
Mr Emran Mian, Director, Social Market Foundation

At 11.40am

Professor Philippe Moreillon, Vice Rector, Research and International Relations, University of Lausanne, Switzerland

Areas of discussion

The first evidence session covers areas such as:

how strong is the UK compared to other EU Member States when competing for research funding?
has an optimal balance been struck between EU science funding awarded for excellence and that awarded for capacity building?
if the UK were to adopt Associated Country status, would that mean losing influence over EU decisions?
in the event of a 'Brexit', is the UK Government likely to invest more in R&D to offset the loss of EU funding?
how does the UK's EU membership influence our collaboration with non-EU nations?
is there any value in regulatory harmonisation?

The second evidence session covers areas such as:

what are the main advantages and disadvantages conferred on the Swiss science community as a result of Associated Country status with the EU?
is it true that Switzerland does not have a say in decision-making in Brussels?
how do collaborations between Swiss scientists and EU scientists compare to collaborations between Swiss scientists and non-EU scientists?

Further information

Image: iStockphoto