A while back I signed up to the Science, Innovation and Technology Committee's newsletter and their latest one has an opportunity for anyone interested to suggest topics (scientific and / or technological!) for them to scrutinise.
The SITC is part of the House of Commons and made up of MPs from different political parties; it's chaired by Chi Onwurah, who gives an overview of what the committee does in this short tweeted video.
• Read the notice / call for topics to investigate (there's also a link to a apply for a free schools* discussion pack for children and young people aged 7 to 18)
• Fill in the form to suggest a topic
• Sign up to their newsletter
• Browse back issues
Jo
*home education / youth groups, any kind of education of young people.
Below is the blurb, pinched from the newsletter.
What should MPs put under the microscope?
Pitch an idea to the Committee
The Science, Innovation and Technology Committee has launched a call for your ideas on what it should look at next. The role of the Committee is to evaluate the government’s policies and make recommendations for how they could be improved. This is an opportunity for the public, schools, businesses and expert groups to suggest topics that the committee should explore next.
The committee has launched a survey where the public can send their ideas, explain why they matter, and say what the government should do.
Anyone is welcome to make a submission. The committee is particularly interested in receiving suggestions from those it may not normally hear from, such as groups that are under-represented in the fields of science and technology, and about topics that affect the lives of people in all parts of the UK.
The committee is inviting submissions by 24 March 2025. Click here to send us your thoughts.
In the past the committee has investigated:
- The governance of AI
- UK space strategy and satellite infrastructure
- Insect decline and UK food security
- Diversity in the science and technology workforce