Policy submissions
Recent policy submissions
The Institute of Physics in Ireland has prepared and submitted a number of papers to government on various aspects of policy relating to physics:
- Letter to Government Chief Scientist on Irish membership of CERN and ESO, February 2007
- Letter to Northern Ireland Department of Employment and Learning re matching HEFCE funding for the teaching of physics at third level, April 2007
- HEA Research Infrastructure Consultation, July 2006
- Expert Group on Future Skills Needs Consultation, July 2006
- Forfas Consultation on Health Research, June 2006
- Immigration and Residency Bill, June 2005
- Northern Ireland Future Skills Consultation, January 2005
- European Union Framework 7 Funding Proposals, November 2005
In a submission to the Advisory Council for Science, Technology and Innovation's Review of Health Research, the Institute noted that basic research is fundamental to many of the most innovative branches of health research - e.g. the use of nanotechnology in the development of diagnostic tools and biosensors, imaging techniques and the use of radiation in treatment. Given that it is frequently not possible to know the exact direction which a research path will take or to predict the new products/techniques which will emerge, the Institute emphasised that basic research in physics should be strongly supported throughout the third level sector in order to lay the ground for future innovation. The Institute of Physics in Ireland is particularly pleased to note that this view was accepted in the recent government paper Strategy for Science, Technology and Innovation.
Such a position, though, leads to a requirement that the skills base in the physical sciences be strongly supported. In a wider ranging Institute submission to the Expert Group on Future Skills Needs, this necessity was emphasised, with support for physics being sought at both second and third level. In particular there was the oft-repeated call for the full implementation of the 2002 report of the Taskforce on Physical Sciences in relation to school science technician positions and also for the development of the Institute of Physics in Ireland's teachers' network co-ordinators. In relation to third level, while welcoming the recently announced enhanced funding for research, concerns were expressed about the funding of teaching laboratories. A number of strategies were proposed to enhance the standing of physics as a third level option, including provision of financial incentives to students and calls to examine, on a pilot basis, creative schemes to attract high ability students perhaps through raising entry requirements.
Enhancing the profile of physics at both national and international level was addressed in a response to the Higher Education Authority's consultation exercise on research infrastructure. In particular the Institute called for Irish membership of CERN and the European Southern Observatory (ESO).
Both of these facilities share a number of common features. They are universally acknowledged as being world leaders in their fields bringing together the very highest calibre of scientists and drawing together knowledge across many areas of science and technology requiring the most cutting edge technology in such areas as detectors, high speed micro and opto-electronics, high-performance computing, high-speed networking, large volume data storage, mechanical and electrical engineering - all areas with tremendous potential for technology transfer and industrial spin-offs. In addition they explore fundamental areas of physics, which have exceptional appeal to young people and to the broader public and as such act as outstanding tools to attract much needed students into science.
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