The UK's leading independent academy of science, the Royal Society, runs an MP-Scientist scheme aimed at fostering links between scientists and policy makers. Bringing this scheme to Glasgow for the first time MP Brian Donohoe, Labour Member for Cunninghame South, will visit Dr Kathryn Arnold at the Division of Environmental and Evolutionary Biology at the University of Glasgow, on Friday 14 November.

The 'pairing' scheme is one of a range of initiatives the Royal Society is running as part of its 'Science in Society' programme, which brings the public, scientists and policymakers closer together. As well as spending time together at the University, Dr Kathryn Arnold has also spent time with Brian Donohoe at the Houses of Parliament, and his constituency surgery in Irvine.

Dr Kathryn Arnold comments: 'Having already visited Brian Donohoe's constituency office, I was impressed by the range of help and advice he gave his constituents, covering everything from noise pollution to pension credits. Hopefully, we can show him the diversity of research and teaching done at the University of Glasgow, and how this can impact upon policy decisions.'

During his visit Brian Donohoe will be involved in a number of activities including a trip to the molecular laboratory to examine grouse parasites, plus an exploration of recent research that examines how birds can manipulate the sex of their offspring.

'I am intrigued to learn of the work undertaken by Kathryn. I look forward with great interest to getting an insight into the work of the Division of Environmental & Evolutionary Biology within the University of Glasgow,' comments MP Donohoe.

At the end of the formal stage of 'pairing', it is hope that both Dr Kathryn Arnold and Brian Donohoe will have increased their understanding of their respective roles, and developed a working relationship that benefits them, and science, in the future.

The MP-Scientist Pairing Scheme was successfully launched in 2001 in response to the crisis in public confidence in science, triggered by such issues as BSE, genetically modified food and cloning. Parliamentarians, scientists and the public all have a role to play in the Science in Society programme in developing innovative ways to ensure all have an opportunity to shape the science policy making process.

Brian Donohoe's visit is one of two MP-Scientist partnerships currently under way at the University of Glasgow. At the beginning of next year, MP Michael Connarty (Falkirk East) will visit the Department of Physics and Astronomy and examine the research of Dr Chris Parkes.

'My colleagues and I are currently constructing parts of the detectors for the world's largest machine : the 28km long Large Hadron Collider particle physics accelerator at the European Centre for Particle Physics (CERN), Geneva. A project of this scale requires collaboration from thousands of academics at hundreds of institutes worldwide and approval at the highest political levels. This pairing scheme facillitiates a dialogue with MPs that can influence future parliamentry funding decisions and ensure that the UK continues its world leading role in investigating such fundamental questions as what is the origin of mass?,' explains Dr Chris Parkes.

Media Relations Office (media@gla.ac.uk)

The Royal Society is an independent academy promoting the natural and applied sciences. Founded in 1660, the Society has three roles: as the UK academy of science; as a learned Society; and as a funding agency. For more details see The Royal Society Webpage.

Brian Donohoe?s will visit the Division of Environmental and Evolutionary Biology at the University of Glasgow, on Friday 14 November, between 2 - 5pm. Photographers are invited to attend. Please contact the University Press Officers, Mike Findlay or Judith Hodgson, beforehand on 0141 330-353.

First published: 12 November 2003