FULLY BOOKED - Global Conversation: “Why does basic research matter and who should fund it?”

The Living Systems Institute (LSI) brings together world-leading scientists and researchers from diverse backgrounds in an exciting new £52 million research facility that represents the University’s largest single investment in science to date.

You’ll have the chance to explore the innovative construction with its three-storeys of high-quality research labs, bio-imaging facilities and high-performance computing spaces, before its official opening in 2017.

You’ll also learn about the vision for the Institute as part of a Global Conversation on the topic of:

Why does basic research matter and who should fund it?

Scientists, and especially life scientists, are under ever increasing pressure to justify their research: funding proposals must now include impact statements and value propositions and show evidence of industrial alignment or translational potential, implying all research should have some practical purpose. Indeed, in a recent essay, the distinguished commentator Matt Ridley (British journalist, businessman and author of popular science books) has argued that advances in scientific knowledge are driven principally by technological need and innovation and that industry and commerce are better arbiters of research resource allocation than public agencies. But should knowledge generation always be directed towards defined exploitable goals?

Professor Philip Ingham, FRS, will set out why he believes the Living Systems Institute needs to be a bastion of basic research, not just because the knowledge it generates can lead to unforeseen applications but also because such knowledge has a broader value to society.

Following the presentation there will be an opportunity to ask your questions directly to a panel of experts, including Dr Jim Smith, FRS Director of Science at Wellcome Trust and Senior Group Leader, Francis Crick Institute, during a Q&A session.

How to book

Please note: This event is now fully booked. If you would like to be added to our waiting list please register here and we will contact you if any further places become available.

Global Conversation

For more information, please visit the Global Conversation webpage. Join the conversation @UoEGlobalConvo and tweet #uoeglobalconvo

Living Systems Institute (LSI)

For more information on the building and the research please visit the LSI website.