If you have any interest in astronomy at all then you may be seriously worried by these proposals! We certainly are but here’s how you can help.
Image Credit @BBVA Foundation
As one of our Honorary Presidents and Astronomer Royal for Scotland, Professor Catherine Heymans recently posted:
“Someone, somewhere, has taken the decision to defund astrophysics research in the UK, but no-one seems quite sure who that was, or why.”
Here’s Catherine’s full article in Nature »
The latest budget proposal announced by the largest UK science funding agency threatens to severely affect UK astrophysics research. My colleagues and I are fighting back.
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We can also point to our strong track record of transforming astronomy technology to improve everyday lives.
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All the evidence points to a healthy, world-class research community underpinning a key innovation pipeline from which future transformative technology and break-through science will emerge.
If you feel the same way as us then maybe you can write to your MP. You could ask them to attend a relevant event on 15 June, details below.
Find contact details for your MP: UK Parliament – Find MPs
From 4-6pm on 15 June, Clive Lewis MP is hosting a drop-in event where established and rising stars of astronomy and physics will come to Room P in Portcullis House to talk to parliamentarians about the value of these sciences.
This drop-in for parliamentarians will feature guests including media stars and scientists Professor Brian Cox CBE and Dr Becky Smethurst, physicist Professor Jon Butterworth, RAS President Professor Jim Wild and the Astronomer Royal for Scotland Professor Catherine Heymans.
At the drop-in the guests will be open to discussions about the proposed cuts to the Science and Technology Facilities Council budget, which could see grants fall by up to 30% over the course of the Spending Review. You will also be provided with a short briefing on the cuts so you are fully apprised of their impact.
Image credit: M51 ASERO / Pat Devine