Senedd Cymru / Welsh Parliament
Cross-Party Group on STEMM
Meeting at 18:00, Tues 20 September, via Zoom
Chair notes
Attendees: Leigh Jeffes, Niall Sommerville, Abi Phillips, Ann Denning, Mike Charlton, Dave (Geo Society), Cerian Angharad, Mark Isherwood MS, Dayna Mason, Wendy Sadler, Geertje van Keulen, Richard Duffy, Tom Addison, Joel James MS, Helen Taylor, Eluned Parrott, Mike Edmunds, Lee Gonzalez, Rhobert Lewis, Henry Lovett, Robert Hoyle, David Cunnah.
1) Welcome
Welcome members to the meeting. Note there are two changes to the agenda, firstly, that due to time constraints we will start by hearing Abi Phillips on the innovation strategy. We will then take questions before she leaves at 6.30pm. We will then hear from Richard Duffy from the IoP. A second change is that following the item on the innovation strategy we will hold a very short AGM to re-elect our Chair, Vice Chairs and Secretariat, this had been omitted from the agenda.
2) Innovation Strategy (40mins)
The Welsh Government is currently consulting on its new innovation strategy and as such we are delighted to welcome Abi Phillips, Head of Innovation, Welsh Government, to talk through the ongoing work as we approach the closure of the consultation next week.
Following the short talk ask for questions from the audience. Abi needs to leave at 6.30pm.
Our next speaker on this topic is Richard Duffy, Policy Manager, Institute of Physics.
Questions on a range of subjects include social enterprise, ERDF, EDI, communities, success measurement.
Abi to send Niall link to logic modelling work for circulation
ACTION: Write to Education Minister re: Physics post 16 engagement from female students – big drop off in figures. Speak to Richard re: figures.
Range of Qs needed for teacher supply.
3) AGM (5mins)
Hand over to Niall to hold election of Chair. Once re-elected Chair will be handed back to David to hold the election of Jack Sergeant and Mark Isherwood as Vice-Chairs and the Royal Society of Chemistry/Niall Sommerville as Secretariat. Others are welcome to nominate!
All re-elected by consent
Geertje and Helen propose and second NS/RSC to provide secretariat
4) Apologies for absence
Hand over to Niall
Apologies from Ian Wells, Faron Muller, Jack Sargeant, David Rees MS,
5) Minutes of previous meeting and matters arising (2mins)
Richard and Geertje proposed and seconded
Minutes have been circulated. The only matter arising was to explore the possibility of a joint CPG meeting across the devolved nations. Hand to Niall for update.
6) Contribution of physiology education and training to the workforce in Wales (10mins)
Hand over to Tom Addison, Physiological Society to talk through the recent factsheet produced by the Physiological Society.
7) Update from Welsh Government Office for Science (5mins)
Robert Hoyle will be available to provide a short update from the Welsh Government Office for Science
CSA recruitment update; Longlist of 9; shortlist of 5 applicants; selection for interview in Oct. Hope to have new CSA by Jan to June next year
8) Professional bodies updates (5mins)
As the agenda is quite packed ask for written updates to be sent to Niall for circulation following the meeting, unless time permits oral updates.
9) AOB
Science and the Senedd 23 May next year
10) Close of meeting
From Wendy Sadler to Everyone 06:11 PM
Is there any consideration for Innovation in the social enterprise sector? As a social enterprise we often find we don't compete because the bottom line is not what drives our mission.
From Abi Phillips to Everyone 06:12 PM
abigail.phillips@gov.wales
From Dr Geertje van Keulen to Everyone 06:16 PM
EDI activities were/are being tracked for ERDF projects. Hin what way will this be different?
From Tom Addison - Physoc to Everyone 06:17 PM
Can you remind us of the deadline for submissions to the consultation?
From Abi Phillips to Everyone 06:18 PM
deadline 28/09/2022
From Mike Charlton to Everyone 06:46 PM
Long term physics that has transformed the world? Relativity and quantum physics. The devices you use to navigate the world rely on both. Nobody knew at the time when they were researching these fundamental areas.
From Joel James to Me (Direct Message) 06:53 PM
Hi Niall, sorry about this, but I have to shoot off - been very interesting
Me to Mark Isherwood (Direct Message) 06:55 PM
Mark, if you could wind up this section after these Qs that would be helpful as we've a few other agenda points to get through
From Dr Geertje van Keulen to Everyone 06:57 PM
teacher retention should also be addressed. So many leaving teaching due to workloads and other issues
From Eluned Parrott to Me (Direct Message) 06:57 PM
Happy to help shape a letter.
Me to Eluned Parrott (Direct Message) 06:58 PM
Aye please!
From Wendy Sadler to Me (Direct Message) 06:59 PM
Hi Niall - if we focus on what can be done to encourage girls into STEM the Education minister will talk about the work of the Equality in STEM group on that area. I think from the sound of things it might need to be a very focused letter asking what is being done to help encourage physics teachers to study and stay in Wales (when they are incentivised to go to England) - happy to help along with Eluned to draft if useful
From Eluned Parrott to Me (Direct Message) 06:59 PM
I'd like to blame Mike on the Astronomers....
Me to Eluned Parrott (Direct Message) 07:01 PM
Haha"!
Me to Wendy Sadler (Direct Message) 07:02 PM
Happy for me to drop you and Eluned an email later to start shaping the letter?
From Dayna Mason to Me (Direct Message) 07:05 PM
For info, related to the teacher supply, for 2022-2023:
Wales ITE priority subject grant (inc. chemistry/physics/biology) = £15k
https://gov.wales/initial-teacher-education-ite-priority-subject-incentive-guidance-students-2022-2023-html
England postgraduate bursaries:
Chemistry/physics = £24k (also scholarships are available at £26k)
https://getintoteaching.education.gov.uk/funding-and-support/scholarships-and-bursaries
Me to Dayna Mason (Direct Message) 07:05 PM
Cheers!
From Wendy Sadler to Me (Direct Message) 07:08 PM
Yep - Cerian should also be involved as she is closest to the current state of play
Me to Wendy Sadler (Direct Message) 07:09 PM
Grand, i'll email the three of you
From DENNING_A to Everyone 07:14 PM
Apologies to everybody but I am afraid Ihave an appointment to collect grandchildren at 7.30 and have to leave. Thank you for a very informative session
From David Cunnah - Innovate UK UKRI to Everyone 07:16 PM
david.cunnah@iuk.ukri.org
From Dr Geertje van Keulen to Everyone 07:19 PM
Invitation for outreach teams: Recently we trialled a mini science festival in Bridgend at one of the local 'Fun Days'. I am now asking for outreach enthousiasts from across the STEMM subjects to get in touch with me at g.van.keulen@swansea.ac.uk or twitter @DrGvanK to express interest to become involved or get updated on plans for 2023. the next 'Fun Day' will take place Sat Sep 2 2023
From Eluned Parrott to Everyone 07:21 PM
Thanks Geertje - sign us up at the IOP.
eluned.parrott@iop.org becky.holmes@iop.org and stephanie.bevan@iop.org
From Lee Gonzalez to Me (Direct Message) 07:26 PM
meeting. Speak soon