Who are the scientists? 100 leading UK practising scientists listed
14 Jan 2014 by Evoluted New Media
A list of the 100 leading UK practicing scientists has been compiled by the Science Council to highlight the fact that not all scientists are the same.
The list aims to highlight a collective blind spot in the approach of government, media and public to science, who continue to reference deceased scientists and tend to only think of academics and researchers as ‘scientists’.
“It is vital that this narrow vision is challenged urgently because it is inhibiting education policy, the career ambitions of young people and investment in developing the skills we need to deliver a world class economy,” said Diana Garnham, Chief Executive of the Science Council.
The list features ten scientists in ten different categories including explorer scientist; investigator scientist; and communicator. Each type of role draws on a different mix of skills, knowledge and expertise to illustrate the rich and diverse scientific landscape.
“Science is like an orchestra. It takes many instruments working together to produce a fine performance,” Garnham said. “At the moment, almost exclusively; it is the virtuosity of the soloists being being addressed and praised. Of course, they are essential to science and should be valued accordingly. However, we must at the same time recognise and encourage the many other types of contributory scientific talent and experience.”
The list includes: Professor Dame Jocelyn Bell Burnell, Visiting Professor of Astrophysics at the University of Oxford; President of the Royal Society and Director of the Francis Crick Institute, Sir Paul Nurse; Michele Dougherty, Professor of Space Science at Imperial College London; Professor Sir Gordon Duff, President of the Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency; and Chief Scientist at the Meteorological Office, Dame Professor Julia Slingo.
Sir Tom Blundell, Science Council President said: “Most emphatically the list shows that not all scientists wear white coats and that scientists are not only found in universities and research labs; they are literally everywhere in a wide variety of careers and occupations.”
Nominations were taken from member organisations and partners, before a judging panel whittled the shortlist down to ten scientists in each of the ten categories.
Minister for Universities and Science, David Willetts said: “This list helpfully challenges the perception that there is only one kind of scientist and highlights the different types of skills and challenges a career in science involves.”
“If we want more people to enter a career in science we need to show that the scientific community is not some exclusive club but people with a wide variety of vocations and interests who have rewarding careers and are making a significant contribution to the wealth and well-being of the UK.”
The full list of scientists can be found at http://www.sciencecouncil.org/content/100-leading-uk-practising-scientists
