PROJECT NEWS
My visit to No 10
Kathleen Grady, Research Associate
When I received an invite to No.10 Downing Street, I didn’t quite know what to make of it. A reception with the Prime Minister and his wife during National Science Week, in recognition of the contribution of young scientists, researchers and engineers to the future of the UK seemed quite prestigious. It was great to be recognised for the hard work we all do in academia and it promised to be different from the mundane Monday evenings I’m accustomed to.
Three weeks later I was queuing up outside the gates to Downing Street with an ever growing group of eager ‘young scientists’ from around the UK. Once through the airport style security we were greeted at No 10 firstly by the friendly policeman on guard who politely endured a plethora of mobile phone photographs, and then by the doorman who welcomed us inside, where we were relieved of our mobile phones and cameras. As we climbed the main staircase, it all began to feel very surreal. I took a moment to view the portraits of every previous prime minister lining the staircase walls before entering the main drawing rooms, which are named after their colour and distinguishing features. Over one hundred and fifty representatives of young scientists, engineers and researchers mingled in the terracotta and pillared drawing rooms where the wine flowed and waiters offered us a selection of canapés, most enticingly the smoked salmon and caviar! While considering whether I should ask Mr Blair about his views on wild and farmed salmon, I noticed he had entered discreetly and begun walking the room, mingling amongst his guests and greeting small groups at a time. After a brief enquiry about the nature of our research it was time to move on to the next group eagerly awaiting his attention and then he took to the front of the room to give us an address. I was pleased to hear him commend research that involves collaboration across disciplines, but was surprised to find a lack of multi-disciplinary researchers, other than myself, amongst the other guests I met and talked to. Mr Blair noted the importance of the Festival of Social Science/National Science and Engineering Week for communicating research to the public and praised our contribution to science, social science and engineering for the future of the UK. He concluded his address by encouraging us to enjoy our evening and view the dining rooms, art work and also the cabinet room downstairs. Tony was rushed away not long afterwards, but Cherie had a bit more time to spare for a chat!
