2013

SCORE response to the Department for Education consultation on A level subject content in the sciences

20 December 2013
The Society has responded, through SCORE, to the Department for Education consultation on A level subject content in the sciences. The response also highlights concerns regarding the process and pace of reform. The response includes appendices for the separate subjects and working scientifically sections.

Society of Biology response to the House of Commons Science and Technology Select Committee inquiry into antimicrobial resistance

06 November 2013
The Society responded to the Committee's inquiry into antimicrobial resistance. In line with the expertise and feedback from our members our response largely focused on antibiotic resistance in terms of both key research priorities and funding. 

Society of Biology comments on the new Consultation Principles

22 October 2013
The Society of Biology has produced a report analysing the change in the period of consultation since the inception of the new 'consultation principles'. The principles no longer recommend that Government departments allow a minimum of 12 weeks for consultation, which was previously set out in the Code of Practice on Consultation. 

Society of Biology response to HEFCE Consultation on open access in the post-2014 Research Excellence Framework
28 October 2013
The society responded to the Higher Education Funding Council for England's consutlation on how the open access requirements for submissions to the Research Excellence Framework after 2014.

Society of Biology response to the House of Commons Science and Technology Select Committee inquiry on women in academic STEM careers

05 September 2013
The Society of Biology responded to the inquiry on women in academic STEM careers. The inquiry sought to probe why the numbers of women in STEM academic careers decline further up the career ladder and, when women leave academia, what careers they transition into and the consequences of scientifically trained women applying their skills in different employment sectors. It also sought views on what universities and the higher education sector should do to retain women graduates and PhD students in academic careers and what role the Government should take in encouraging the retention of women in academic STEM careers.

SCORE response to the Ofqual consultation on GCSE reform
03 September 2013
The Society of Biology has responded, as SCORE to the Ofqual consultation on the proposed regulatory arrangements for the reformed GCSEs. The response outlines SCORE's views on issues including tiering, practical work, assessment and grading.

SCORE response to the Department for Education consultation on Reformed GCSE Subject Content

20 August 2013
The Society of Biology has collaborated with the other SCORE partner organisations to respond to the Department for Education consultation on reformed GCSE subject content. The response comprised an overview with general feedback on the criteria and the reform process, alongside subject appendices with specific feedback on the biology, chemistry and physics content. The response includes comments on practical work, progression, and the need to design qualifications appropriate to the interests, needs and aptitudes of all students at key stage 4.

SCORE response to the final Department for Education consultation on the Draft National Curriculum for Science
08 August 2013
The Society of Biology has submitted a joint response, through SCORE, to the final consultation on National Curriculum for science. The response comprised an overview with general feedback on the criteria and the reform process, alongside subject appendices with specific feedback on the biology, chemistry and physics content at Key Stages 1-3. The response re-iterated our concerns with the timescale and process of the review, including how the new National Curriculum will be implemented alongside the reformed GCSEs and A levels. 

SCORE response to the National College for Teaching and Leadership consultation on Pre-ITT Subject Knowledge Enhancement - proposal for 2013/14 and beyond
28 June 2013
The Society of Biology has submitted a joint response, through SCORE to the National College for Teaching and Leadership consultation on Pre-ITT Subject Knowledge Enhancement - proposal for 2013/14 and beyond. The response explains the value of SKE courses to recruit and support science teachers and highlights concerns about the impact of proposed changes to both the allocation of ITT places and the structure of SKE courses, the impact of School Direct, as well as the more general need to improve subject knowledge of teachers in the sciences.

Science Council response to the House of Lords Science & Technology Select Committee inquiry on Scientific Infrastructure
24 June 2013
The Society of Biology collaborated with the Science Council on the inquiry on scientific infrastructure. the response highlights the importance of developing and nurturing a skills infrastructure to complement investment in physical scientific infrastructure and the need for the UK to be strong contributor to international scientific infrastructure programmes

Society of Biology views on Key Priorities and Challenges for the Science and Research Budget

23 May 2013
The Society of Biology responded to a call for views from the Director General, Knowledge and Innovation at the Department for Business Innovation and Skills on the key priorities and challenges for the science and research budget ahead of the 2013 comprehensive spending review. The response highlights the importance of public funding as a key driver for business and charitable investment in science, and asks that investment in research and development is stablised and grown in order to ensure the future of the UK's impressive and productive science R & D sector.

SCORE response to the Department for Education consultation on efficiency in the school system

10 May 2013
The Society of Biology has submitted a joint response, through SCORE to the Department for Education consultation on efficiency in the school system. The response is based on evidence gained through the Resourcing of Practical Work in Primary and Secondary Science projects, which highlighted a number of inefficiencies that have led to poor practical science resourcing in the school system in England. The reports revealed that school provisioning varies considerably and that many schools and teachers do not have enough equipment to teach the sciences in a properly practical way.

SCORE response to the Department for Education consultation on secondary school accountability

01 May 2013
The Society of Biology, through SCORE, responded to the Department for Education consultation on accountability in secondary schools. The response highlights our serious concerns that the proposed accountability measures contain no explicit protection for a balanced science (biology, chemistry, and physics) requirement for all students at Key Stage 4.

Society of Biology response to the RCUK policy on Open Access
17 April 2013
A response from the Society of Biology on the Research Councils UK Policy on Open Access and Supporting Guidance. We seek a well-balanced outcome that is robust, sustainable and recognises the needs and reasonable expectations of all parties.

Society of Biology response to HEFCE's call for advice on the RCUK Open Access Policy
17 April 2013
A response from the Society of Biology on Open Access and Submissions to the Research Excellence Framework Post-2014. We welcome HEFCE's recognition that learned societies have a broad view and responsibility in this area. While journal publishing in itself provides important support to their respective disciplines, it also generates income that enables and funds crucial additional support for research and other desirable academic activities.

SCORE response to the Department for Education consultation on the draft National Curriculum

16 April 2013
The Society of Biology, through SCORE, responded to the Department for Education consultation on the draft National Curriculum. The response forms two parts - an overview which highlights both our support and our concerns for aspects of the review, and appendices that provide specific feedback on the biology, chemistry and physics content of the draft Programmes of Study.

Society of Biology response to the consultation on refreshing BBSRC’S strategic plan
26 March 2013
The Society of Biology response to the consultation on refreshing BBSRC’S strategic plan: the age of bioscience was prepared with particular input from the UK Plant Sciences Federation (UKPSF).

Society of Biology response to the Business, Innovation and Skills Select Committee on Government Open Access Policy
19 March 2013
The Society of Biology responded to the BIS Select Committee inquiry on Open Access. The Society of Biology welcomes policies that maximise access to research outputs; however the current policies on open access (OA) publishing have the potential for significant unintended consequences on the UK research base and economy.

Society of Biology response to Feeding the Future
31 January 2013
The Society of Biology responded to consultation on the draft report 'Feeding the Future – Innovation Requirements for Primary Food Production in the UK to 2030'.

Society of Biology response to the Open Access Publishing inquiry from the House of Lords Science and Technology Select Committee
21 January 2013
The Society of Biology response to the inquiry on Open Access by the Lords Science and Technology Committee.

Society of Biology response to the EFRA inquiry into the vaccination of badgers and cattle in relation to Bovine TB
07 January 2013
The Society of Biology response to the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Select Committee inquiry on the vaccination of Badgers and Cattle in relation to Bovine TB.