Committees

Science diplomacy

Inquiry

The Science, Innovation and Technology Committee is launching an inquiry into the role of science diplomacy and research and development (R&D) in supporting the UK Government’s growth missions, enhancing the UK’s international influence, and contributing to national security. Science diplomacy encompasses the political support for science in an international context, cross-border research collaborations, science advice for global policymaking, and public engagement activities.

The inquiry will assess the Government’s strategy for international science, the value of international science collaborations, and the benefits of using science to enhance national branding, international influence, and conflict resolution. It will also consider how international science and innovation projects support UK economic growth, how to attract global R&D investment, and the role of science in bolstering the UK’s soft power.

Read the call for evidence here:

This inquiry is no longer accepting evidence

The deadline for submissions was 12:00pm on 7 April 2025.

Upcoming events

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No upcoming events scheduled

Past events

Tuesday 17 March 2026
1:00pm Private
1:30pm Public
Science diplomacy - Oral evidence 17 March 2026
1:30pm
  • The Lord Vallance of Balham KCB (Minister for Science, Innovation, Research and Nuclear at Department for Science, Innovation and Technology)
  • Seema Malhotra MP (Minister for Indo-Pacific at Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office)
  • Rhys Bowen (Director for International and Economic Security at Department for Science, Innovation and Technology)
  • Nathanael Bevan (Deputy Director of the What Works Research and Evidence at Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office)
The Boothroyd Room, Portcullis House
Tuesday 27 January 2026
9:00am Private
9:30am Public
Oral evidence session 27 January 2026
Innovation showcase - Oral evidence
9:30am
  • Sir Mike Ferguson (Regius Professor of Life Sciences at University of Dundee)
Science diplomacy - Oral evidence
9:45am
  • Dr Sania Nishtar (CEO at Gavi)
10:15am
  • Dr Alice Bunn (President at UKspace)
  • Graham Turnock (Ex-CEO at UK Space Agency)
10:45am
  • Will Whitehorn (Chair at Seraphim Space Investment Trust)
Room 8, Palace of Westminster
Tuesday 2 December 2025
9:00am Private
9:30am Public
Oral evidence session 2 December 2025
Innovation showcase - Oral evidence
9:30am
  • Dr Rebecca Chubb (Deputy Clinical Director at North Staffordshire Combined Healthcare Trust)
  • Joe McCrea (Associate Director of Communications at North Staffordshire Combined Healthcare Trust)
Science diplomacy - Oral evidence
9:45am
  • Dr Manjari Chandran-Ramesh (Partner at Amadeus Capital Partners)
  • Jessica Wade (Associate Professor at Imperial College London)
10:30am
  • Jonathan Legh-Smith (Executive Director at UKQuantum)
  • Duncan Jones (General Manager at Quantinuum)
Room 8, Palace of Westminster
Tuesday 9 September 2025
9:00am Private
9:30am Public
Oral evidence session 9 September 2025
Innovation showcase - Oral evidence
9:30am
  • Professor Liam Blunt (Director at Centre for Precision Technologies, University of Huddersfield)
Science diplomacy - Oral evidence
9:45am
  • Lord O’Neill of Gatley (Lord at House of Lords)
  • Professor Dame Jenny Harries (Former Chief Executive at UK Health Security Agency)
10:45am
  • Victoria Fowler (Head of UK Advocacy at Malaria No More UK)
  • Mike Podmore (CEO at Stop AIDS)
  • Dr Philippa Matthews (Clinical Group Leader at Francis Crick Institute)
Room 8, Palace of Westminster

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