UK renews overseas science links
The new UK Science Minister embraces international science at the G7 Science and Technology Ministerial meeting in Italy with fresh agreements.
Science Minister Sir Patrick Vallance declared UK science and technology 'open for business' at the meeting in Bologna.
The UK has joined international partners in a commitment to boost research security and collaboration on large research infrastructure, biotechnology and key technologies such as AI supported by supercomputing.
The Ministerial is said to underpin the government’s mission to accelerate innovation, investment and productivity.
Representatives from the world’s leading economies also reiterated their ‘unwavering support’ to Ukraine’s scientists, in the face of Russia’s invasion, as well as a shared commitment to work with African countries on R&D.
This is said to be part of the government’s plan to strengthen ties with international partners and rebuild the UK’s reputation as a strong, reliable partner, while harnessing science and technology for global benefit.
It is hoped these commitments in Bologna will allow collaboration internationally and accelerate investments in cutting-edge technologies, creating future jobs.
Science Minister Vallance says, ‘Science is fundamentally international, and to succeed it depends on trust, collaboration and openness. But in an increasingly volatile world – and particularly in light of Russia’s illegal invasion of Ukraine – that trust and collaboration is under threat.’
He recognised the work of international research infrastructures such as CERN and the Square Kilometre Array Observatory.
He further suggested that the UK will continue to review hosting a new international research facility as part of the global effort to drive innovation.
The Science Minister offered the UK’s support on the FAIR data accelerator pilot, which aims to help researchers make data more findable, accessible, interoperable and reusable. Focusing also on biotechnology.
The UK is also working closely with other G7 members on computing capacity, such as through the UK’s recent access to European supercomputing resources through the EuroHPC Joint Undertaking.
UK and Italian scientists already work together through the European Space Agency, Horizon Europe and the Square Kilometre Array space telescope project. This year, the UK’s Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC) and Italy’s Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche (CNR) celebrate the 40th anniversary of their partnership in pioneering neutron research.
Find out more about the full list of agreements made at the G7 Ministerial.
