Can physics supercharge the UK economy?

The answer to the question ’Can physics supercharge the UK economy?’ discussed this week at an Industry Forum roundtable hosted by the Institute of Physics, was always a foregone conclusion. But physicists, also like to know how theory will be turned into practice. So the ideal person to lead the discussion was Chi Onwurah MP, Shadow Minister for Digital, Science and Technology, and a qualified engineer with extensive business and Westminster experience. She outlined the steps needed to tackle the daunting range of economic and environmental challenges facing the UK noting, in particular, the need to raise our R&D spend and to maximise diversity in the workforce and academia. Other speakers were Professor Martin Freer VP Science and Engineering at the IoP, Terry Pollard, COO of spinout company, Oxford Brain diagnostics, Dr Hira Virdee, Founder and CEO Lumi Space, and Elizabeth Chamberlain (standing in the picture), Head of Policy at the IoP, who outlined a proposed new R&D blueprint. Priorities identified included: Ensuring that everyone can follow a career in UK physics regardless of their background or gender; Ensuring that there is adequate funding for early-stage research; Providing the conditions needed to enable start-ups to scale up and grow their business within the UK; Encouraging the growth of a sophisticated community of investors in companies based on innovations in physics; Encouraging tech clusters around research universities and strengthening connections between academia and industry. All we need now, is to turn this plan into action!

Speakers were:

Chi Onwurah MP, Shadow Minister Science, Research & Innovation
Professor Martin Freer, VP Science and Innovation, Institute of Physics
Terry Pollard, Chief Operating Officer, Oxford Brain Diagnostics
Dr Hira Virdee, Founder and CEO at Lumi Space

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