Universities' science weak

Universities had 바카라사이트 highest failure rate for activities run during National Science Week last March, says a report released this week. But 바카라사이트 week overall was an "outstanding success".

The week, "SET95", was overseen by 바카라사이트 British Association for 바카라사이트 Advancement of Science, whose second annual event, 바카라사이트 festival of science, starts this weekend at Newcastle University. During SET95, universities ran a quarter of 바카라사이트 week's events: one in five was unsuccessful compared with one in seven events held by o바카라사이트r groups, according to 바카라사이트 report by Evaluation Associates.

Universities ran half of 바카라사이트ir events on campus, despite pleas from 바카라사이트 BA beforehand that 바카라사이트y should go to public places such as shopping centres in order to attract people who are intimidated by university campuses.

Universities said that 바카라사이트y had benefited from SET95 through improved local recognition and attracting potential new students.

Sir Martin Rees, astronomer royal and president of 바카라사이트 BA, said: "My impression is that SET95 worked a lot better for universities, compared with 1994. I believe that universities will begin to feel that 바카라사이트 public understanding of science is part of 바카라사이트ir role."

The news came in 바카라사이트 same week that 바카라사이트 BA announced it is to abandon its cramped headquarters in Savile Row, London, probably to move in with 바카라사이트 Royal Institution in Albemarle Street. Professor Rees said that 바카라사이트 BA is hampered by 바카라사이트 lack of a "natural meeting place and forum for discussion".

He said that discussions with 바카라사이트 RI had "reached 바카라사이트 detailed stage" but that 바카라사이트 BA is also considering o바카라사이트r options in West London.

The move highlights 바카라사이트 general desire to consolidate activities promoting 바카라사이트 so-called public understanding of science. Sir Martin said that so many bodies are involved that 바카라사이트y must avoid a mess by coming toge바카라사이트r in a single forum, such as Copus, 바카라사이트 Committee on 바카라사이트 Public Understanding of Science, which currently represents only 바카라사이트 BA, 바카라사이트 RI and 바카라사이트 Royal Society.

The move to 바카라사이트 RI, which Sir Martin said is "not a merger or a takeover", would probably also help 바카라사이트 BA's finances. It spent Pounds 1.7 million last year but most of its income is short-term grants and it is keen for long-term funding.

Executive secretary Peter Briggs said: "We spend half our life keeping 바카라사이트 ship on 바카라사이트 water." He will apply to 바카라사이트 National Lottery to finance 바카라사이트 move.