Scientists for Labour explained

Scientists for Labour
Size:120px
Abbreviation:SfL
Formation:1994
Leader Title:Chair
Leader Name:Izzy Creed[1]
Affiliations:Labour Party

Scientists for Labour is a socialist society affiliated to the British Labour Party. It is open to supporters of the Labour Party interested or involved in UK science and technology. Notable patrons include the Nobel Prize winning geneticist, Sir Paul Nurse FRS, the businessman and Chancellor of the University of Cambridge, Lord David Sainsbury, and the former Prime Minister, Dr. Gordon Brown.[2] [3] Its stated aims are to be a strong political voice for science, to improve the understanding of science within the Labour Party and nationally, and to advise the parliamentary Labour Party on science policy issues.[2] SfL organise a range of events, including panel discussions, networking meetings, and collaboration.

History

Scientists for Labour was founded in 1994 by the Scottish molecular virologist Willie Russell,[4] amongst others, to be a vehicle for scientists within the Labour Party. SfL tried to lobby the Labour Party before the 1997 UK general election to pledge the creation of a cabinet level secretary of science, something that it was unsuccessful in doing,[5] though it is still a policy that the group supports.[6] During the 2000s, the group submitted evidence on science policy to the Science and Technology Select Committee.[7]

During the COVID-19 pandemic, the organisation began to publish regular reports on the science around COVID-19, including both daily briefings[8] and long form reports. These reports have earned SfL public praise from prominent Labour figures including the Leader of the Labour Party Sir Keir Starmer KCB QC MP,[9] and former Prime Minister Dr. Gordon Brown HonFRSE.[10] These reports have been on topics such as the impact of COVID-19 on BAME communities in the U.K.,[11] the Scottish government's handling of COVID-19,[12] the importance of ensuring that research can continue in spite of pandemic conditions,[13] the importance of the transparency in government scientific advice,[14] and the importance of maintaining links with European scientists both during and after the COVID-19 pandemic.[15]

Previous members of the Executive Committee include the chemical physicist Benjamin J. Whitaker,[16] and as of July 2022 current members of the executive committee include the politician and teacher Martin Whitfield.[17]

National Executive Committee

The 2022-23 SfL NEC[18] [19] are as follows:

Chair: Izzy Creed

Vice Chair Policy: Conor Cooper

Vice Chair Membership: Paul Henry

Treasurer: Daniel Villar

Secretary: Avesta Afshari-Mehr

Membership Secretary: Juna Sathian

Co-Webmasters: Kartik Kavi & Avesta Afshari-Mehr

Other Committee Members: Sanjush Dalmia; Alex Greer; Martin Whitfield; Harry Stratton

Notable Members

Local Branches

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: About SFL . https://web.archive.org/web/20220703035044/https://www.scientistsforlabour.org.uk/about-sfl . 3 July 2022 .
  2. Web site: About Us. 2021-04-04. Scientist of Labour.
  3. Web site: Schofield. Kevin. 2020-01-29. EXCL Gordon Brown backs Ian Murray's bid to become deputy Labour leader. 2021-04-04. Politics Home.
  4. Web site: 2018-11-12. Obituary: Prof Willie Russell, molecular virologist, founder of Scientists for Labour, and Boys' Brigade visionary. 2021-04-04. The Scotsman.
  5. UK parties differ on means, not ends. David. Dickson. March 1, 1997. Nature. 386. 6623. 314–315. www.nature.com. 10.1038/386314a0. 1997Natur.386..314D . 4372642 .
  6. Web site: Inge. Sophie. April 7, 2020. Labour scientists call for cabinet-level shadow science role. 2021-04-04. Research Professional News.
  7. Web site: January 2005. House of Commons - Science and Technology - Written Evidence - Appendix 98 - Memorandum from Scientists for Labour. 2021-04-04. publications.parliament.uk.
  8. Web site: Scientists for Labour and COVID-19. 2021-04-04. Scientist of Labour.
  9. Web site: 2020-05-28. Keir Starmer thanks Scientists for Labour volunteers. 2021-04-04. www.youtube.com.
  10. Web site: Gordon Brown: Scientific collaboration in a post-brexit world. www.youtube.com.
  11. Web site: Lawrence. Baroness Doreen. April 2020. An Avoidable Crisis - The disproportionate impact of Covid-19 on Black, Asian and minority ethnic communities. 2021-04-04.
  12. Web site: Christie. Kevan. 2020-05-22. UK and Scottish Government's failed to prepare for pandemic says new report. 2021-04-04. The Scotsman.
  13. Web site: Buckley. Joe. 2020-04-21. Scientists for Labour: What we're doing, and how you can help. 2021-04-04. LabourList.
  14. Web site: Inge. Sophie. April 23, 2020. Labour Pushes Government To Publish Its Science Advice. 2021-04-04. Research Professional News.
  15. COVID-19 shows UK–EU collaborations are irreplaceable. Benjamin. Fernando. Gordon. Brown. Emily. Thomas. Michael. Head. Paul. Nurse. Martin. Rees. September 22, 2020. Nature. 586. 7828. 200. 10.1038/d41586-020-02687-6. 32963368 . 2020Natur.586..200F . free.
  16. Web site: About SFL . https://web.archive.org/web/20220316230502/https://www.scientistsforlabour.org.uk/about-sfl . 16 March 2022 .
  17. Web site: About SFL . https://web.archive.org/web/20220703035044/https://www.scientistsforlabour.org.uk/about-sfl . 3 July 2022 .
  18. Web site: ABOUT SFL . 2022-11-03 . SfL . en.
  19. Web site: 2022-08-03 . Labour scientists choose new executive committee . 2022-11-03 . Research Professional News . en-GB.
  20. Web site: LOCAL BRANCHES. 2021-09-23. SfL. en.

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