Irish science and scientists will be to the fore this week as Trinity College Dublin hosts the British Association's annual Festival of Science. This major event returns to the city after an interval of 48 years.
The festival serves a key remit of the British Association for the Advancement of Science's mission - to help as many people as possible gain insights into, and a deeper understanding of, the culturally important role played by scientists. British universities usually provide a venue for this moveable science circus. It comes to Dublin this year, however, after The Irish Times science editor Dick Ahlstrom, a regular festival attendee, recognised the potential benefits to Irish science if it was held here and asked the BA if it would come. The venerable organisation established in 1831 was immediately receptive to the idea.
The extensive programme offers something for everyone, from primary pupils to curious adults. While science is always to the fore, the various talks and presentations are almost all designed for the non-specialist general audience. The 150 meetings running throughout the week also afford an opportunity for the public to question the presenting scientists and discuss their findings. Such access to some of the world's leading scientists is a rare opportunity that should not be missed by those with even a passing interest in the sciences.
The festival's arrival is timely from the point of view of Irish science. New research funding bodies set up under the 2000-2006 National Development Plan have been distributing an unprecedented €2.54 billion among Ireland's scientific community. The Government's intentions are to transform our economy from wealth creation through manufacturing to one where our wealth is created through the development of new knowledge.
Ironically, this frequently stated Government objective is being made more difficult to achieve given its niggardly approach to third-level funding. The great majority of research here is carried out in the universities and institutes of technology; yet these institutions constantly struggle to raise sufficient funding to pay their way. This same corrosive dynamic clearly applies in Britain too.
The Government's chief science adviser Barry McSweeney is finalising his views on State funding priorities for science under the next national development plan. If indeed our scientists have done good work and have earned the taxpayers' trust, then the Government should recognise this and increase funding under the next national plan. If it is serious about Ireland becoming a world centre of knowledge, then it must invest accordingly.
Dublin's hosting of this festival gives Irish science a chance to enhance its reputation among scientists from other countries, something that inevitably encourages valuable collaborations. This in turn sets still higher standards for Irish scientists.