The interdisciplinary work of Proteus was brought into the spotlight in Parliament, as the Head of Healthcare Technologies at the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) used the group as an example of how having all of the different staff and researchers in one location is beneficial to the work being carried out.
Dr Annette Bramley attended Parliament on 10th October 2017 as part of the the House of Lords Science and Technology Committee.
The Committee held the first evidence session on its new inquiry into Life Sciences and the Industrial Strategy, and heard evidence from across the scientific community.
The evidence session was an opportunity for the Committee to hear witness reactions to Sir John Bell’s Life Sciences Industrial Strategy, identify areas which they feel could be improved and discuss how it can be implemented.
Dr Bramley was asked by another Committee member whether a workplace where a “co-location” structure is in place is an entirely novel concept, or whether people have done it before; and if they have, which ones have worked?
Dr Bramley immediately drew upon Proteus about how co-locating our chemists, engineers, clinicians, etc. in one place, whilst working alongside the University’s relevant business representatives and approvals teams for clinical trials, has resulted in patents, spin-out companies, Public Engagement awards, and more. She mentioned how Proteus has invested for the long term, which creates a stability that is really important for progress.
During the event, the main questions that were brought to the Committee include:
- Who should be responsible for delivering the Life Sciences Strategy and to whom should they be accountable?
- Should the Government appoint a Life Sciences Minister?
- Are there any features in the strategy – or any gaps?
- How can collaboration between researchers and the NHS be improved, particularly in light of increased fiscal pressures in the NHS?
The attendees were:
- Dr Annette Bramley, Head of Healthcare Technologies, Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC)
- Sir John Savill, Chief Executive, Medical Research Council (MRC)
- Louise Wren, Policy Adviser, Wellcome Trust
- Sir Harpal Kumar, Chief Executive Officer, Cancer Research UK
- Professor James Stirling CBE FRS, Provost, Imperial College London
- Professor David Price FGS, Vice-Provost, University College London
- Professor John Atherton, Pro Vice Chancellor and Dean of the School of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Nottingham
- Professor Chris Lowe OBE, University of CambridgeProfessor Philip Nelson, Chair, Research Councils UK (RCUK)
Related Links
- Science and Technology Committee on Parliament Live TV (Annette Bramley at around 10:57:00)