Keith Mason (scientist)

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Keith Mason giving a talk in October 2007

Keith Mason (born 19 April 1951) is the Chief Executive of the Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC) of the United Kingdom. He assumed the post on 1st April 2007 after the merger of the Council for the Central Laboratory of the Research Councils (CCLRC) and the Particle Physics and Astronomy Research Council (PPARC), having previously been chief executive of PPARC.

After a farming childhood on the Llyn Peninsula, Mason initially trained as an astronomer, studying for a BSc and PhD in Physics at University College London, and was a candidate astronaut. He subsequently worked on X-ray astronomy at UC Berkeley before returning to the UCL Mullard Space Science Laboratory, eventually becoming a professor at UCL and director of the Mullard Laboratory in 2003.

[edit] STFC funding crisis

In April 2007, Keith Mason became Chief Executive of STFC, the new research council formed from the merger of the previous PPARC and CCLRC councils, and subsequently carried out a number of internal reviews in preparation for the Comprehensive Spending Review. In December 2007 he oversaw the introduction of the controversial STFC Delivery Plan for 2008-2012, which foresees 25-40% cuts in the UK's particle physics and astronomy grants, large staff cuts in the newly-created research council and the closure of entire areas of productive research (such as solar-terrestrial physics).

These cuts are presently being bitterly opposed by the UK physics community. At the same time, a large increase investment is planned for UK involvement in space missions, for example planned UK/US moon missions - despite the scientific community's lack of enthusiasm for such "spectaculars".

Mason was castigated by the House of Commons Innovation, Universities, Science and Skills Committee on the 30 April 2008^[1]. In their report they stated:

STFC's problems have their roots in the size of the CSR07 settlement and the legacy of bringing CCLRC and PPARC together, but they have been exacerbated by a poorly conceived Delivery Plan, lamentable communication and poor leadership, as well as major senior management misjudgements. Substantial and urgent changes are now needed in the way in which the Council is run in order to restore confidence and to give it the leadership it desperately needs and has so far failed properly to receive. This raises serious questions about the role and performance of the Chief Executive, expecially his ability to retain the confidence of the scientific community as well as to carry through the necessary changes outlined here.

An MP on the committee, Phil Willis, followed up Mason's response with^[2]:

I was disappointed with Keith Mason's response to our report.. What is now needed is a proper action plan to say how these issues are being addressed and how he and the council intend to win back the confidence of the community, because if he can't do that then his position at that point becomes untenable.

A seven-point statement by the Royal Astronomical Society on February 14, 2008 expressed lack of confidence in the STFC's handling of the funding crisis. The lack of consultation with the UK science community was singled out for particular criticism. The RAS noted that:

(4) STFC has failed miserably to communicate with the community. The experience of the community prior to the formation of STFC has been good communication and a sense of engagement in decisions.
(5) STFC claims that its Delivery Plan has been and is being arrived at through a process of Peer Review. Unfortunately, despite no doubt very hard work of those involved in this process on PPAN, PALS and Science Board, the community has no confidence in this process and is unlikely to accept the outcome as fair. It was a catastrophic error not to set up an advisory structure below PPAN. The requirement of confidentiality for members of Council, the Science Board, and PPAN and PALS, goes far beyond any legal requirements.

Much of the friction caused by Mason's handling of the STFC funding crisis has been exacerbated by his manner of dealing with the scientific community. The New Statesman magazine noted on January 31, 2008 that:

Mason's lack of political experience and of "people skills" has not helped matters. When he first arrived at STFC he assembled staff in a large room and addressed them from his office via a video-link rather than in person. He has infuriated senior astronomers and particle physicists by failing to consult or even warn them of impending cuts.

An Early Day Motion, effectively calling for Mason's resignation, was submitted for debate in the House of Commons by Labour MP, Sir Peter Sousby, on February 19, 2008. The Motion (919) notes:

That this House notes with concern the recent Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC) grant reductions to physics and astronomy research in UK universities and cuts to important programmes such as the Gemini Telescopes and the SPEAR radar; is further concerned at the impact this will have on the UK's international reputation in advanced physics; and calls for a change in the structure and leadership of the STFC.