Science, Technology, Engineering and Public Policy

Science, Technology, Engineering and Public Policy: spot the odd one out? The policy issues of the 21st century demand response from scientists and engineers and require a blend of technological, policy and social solutions. But, policymakers do not always engage well enough with scientists, engineers and designers, nor vice versa.

Do clashes in culture make the relationship hard? Ways of speaking, ways of thinking? A new department has opened at UCL to help create better relationships, better ways of working and to get scientists, engineers and decision makers speaking the same language.

UCL STEaPP is an innovative, interdisciplinary department tackling, and preparing future leaders to tackle, global challenges from climate change to rapid growth of cities. I have joined UCL STEaPP to set up a professional masters course to build a new generation of interdisciplinary policy professionals who can really leverage technical evidence and expertise. Join us!

Extreme space weather!

Engineers will save the planet! The Royal Academy of Engineering (and the Daily Mail) say so!

We published our report on what a solar superstorm could do to engineering infrastructure from satellites to the electricity grid - and what engineers and policymakers can do to protect us. Read it: be afraid, but not too afraid…