Science and Technology Facilities Council

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Science and Technology Facilities Council Logo
Science and Technology Facilities Council Logo

The Science and Technology Facilities Council is a UK government body that carries out civil research in science and engineering, and funds UK research in areas including particle physics, nuclear physics, space science and astronomy (both ground-based and space-based). It was formed in 2007 from the merger of the Particle Physics and Astronomy Research Council (PPARC) with the Council for the Central Laboratory of the Research Councils (CCLRC). The present Chief Executive of STFC is Keith Mason.

The Science and Technology Facilities Council is one of Europe's largest multidisciplinary research organisations supporting scientists and engineers world-wide. It operates world-class, large scale research facilities (such as materials research, laser and space science and alternative energy exploration) and provides strategic advice to the UK government on their development. It also manages international research projects in support of a broad cross-section of the UK research community and directs, coordinates and funds research, education and training.

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[edit] Aims

The activities of the council aim to enable scientists to answer what it believes are the 'big' questions such as:[1]

  • Why is there a Universe?
  • How did galaxies form?
  • Was there ever life on Mars?
  • How do planetary systems evolve?
  • How are the chemical elements created?
  • How does our climate work?
  • How can we create new materials to store energy?
  • How can we meet mankind’s need for abundant clean energy?
  • How can we design smart materials?
  • How do cells work?
  • How do degenerative diseases develop?
  • How can we design better treatments for cancer?

[edit] Funding crisis

In late 2007, it was revealed that there was a massive hole in the STFC budget [2]. It is expected that there are likely to be ~25% funding cuts in astronomy grants. In addition STFC is undertaking other cost saving measures by cutting down on various facilities, for instance Gemini south. The effect of cuts on STFC-funded research fellowships is yet to be decided.

The UK astronomy and particle-physics community is extremely concerned about the funding cuts. Professor Roger Davis said "I don't think the PPARC council would have gone along with the merger if it had realised this would be the outcome".[citation needed] There is a campaign called Save Astronomy, [1], and an online petition to the UK Prime Minister with over 12,000 signatures [3]. In addition the Royal Astronomical Society is very concerned[4]. Some of the details behind the funding crisis can be gleaned from documents obtained under the freedom of information act by Professor Ken Peach. [2]

[edit] Facilities

It helps operate / provide access for UK and international scientists to the following large-scale facilities:

[edit] Locations

It employs staff at many locations including:

[edit] Knowledge exchange obligations

STFC is active in its responsibility for knowledge exchange from government funded civil science into UKPLC. As such, many technologies are licensed to UK companies and spin-out companies created including:

However knowledge exchange activities are not purely limited to commercialization of technologies, but also cover a wider range of activities which aim to transfer expertise into the wider economy.

[edit] See also

[edit] References

  1. ^ STFC Delivery plan 2008/9-2011/12, http://www.scitech.ac.uk/resources/pdf/delplan_07.pdf
  2. ^ STFC funding crisis, 2008-01-11, http://pacrowther.staff.shef.ac.uk/stfc.html
  3. ^ Petition to: reverse the decision to cut vital UK contributions to Particle Physics and Astronomy
  4. ^ Royal Astronomical Society

[edit] External links