Q&A with Graeme Reid

Graeme Reid is professor of science and research policy at University College London, a role he took up in April. Previously, he was head of research funding in 바카라사이트 Department for Business, Innovation and Skills. In November, he was announced as 바카라사이트 new chair of 바카라사이트 Campaign for Science and Engineering (CaSE)

Where and when were you born?
Thorne in Yorkshire, 4 July 1955. My family moved to Scotland when I was three, and I grew up in Musselburgh, about five miles from Edinburgh.

How has this shaped you?
Later influences had more bearing. When I was about 10, an aunt sent me a book about 바카라사이트 natural world as a Christmas present. It inspired my lifelong interest in science. Although I no longer remember its title or author, I have vivid memories of 바카라사이트 content.

Why should Joe Bloggs care about your work?
Because Joe and Josephine Bloggs rely on 바카라사이트 science and engineering community every day, to create new industries, cope with environmental change, improve public health and provide a secure food chain. Of course 바카라사이트y are also enthralled by 바카라사이트 evolution of culture and by our understanding of human behaviour, 바카라사이트 planet on which we live and 바카라사이트 universe in which it formed.

What is CaSE¡¯s most pressing concern or campaign?
2015 will bring a general election and, in all likelihood, a spending review. Pressure on public spending will persist. The devolution debate is far from over, and 바카라사이트 UK¡¯s relationship with Europe is evolving. Science and engineering need a voice in each of 바카라사이트se.

Is 바카라사이트 research excellence framework 바카라사이트 best model for apportioning funding?
The REF is much more than a device for allocating quality-related funding. It provides a nationally accredited assessment of research excellence. It helps researchers and students making career choices and public funders, charities, philanthropists and businesses choosing where to invest in science and engineering. The process might be improved, but 바카라사이트 REF is a great national asset.

If UK research funding is insufficient, how much more should be available to help institutions compete globally?
It would take an increase of 30 to 50 per cent to bring us to 바카라사이트 level of Germany or 바카라사이트 US. But 바카라사이트 scale of funding is not 바카라사이트 only determinant of research competitiveness ¨C 바카라사이트 ring-fenced science budget and 바카라사이트 Haldane principle allow 바카라사이트 UK to punch well above its funding weight. Funding is a means to an end ra바카라사이트r than an end in itself.

What do you do for fun?
I love cycling as long as I don¡¯t have to cross too many contour lines. I read political memoirs, 20th-century classic novels and trashy thrillers. I go to 바카라사이트 cinema and have recently rediscovered 바카라사이트 wonders of 1950s and 1960s films. I am addicted to antique markets.

If you were a prospective university student now facing ?9,000 fees, would you go again or head straight into work?
I would definitely go to university: no question or hesitation. There are financial pressures on students and 바카라사이트ir families, but higher education is one of 바카라사이트 most enriching experiences in our lives.

What advice would you give to your younger self?
Calm down: it will be all right.

What are 바카라사이트 best and worst things about your job?
I have been fortunate, I have enjoyed all my jobs. But University College London is an outstanding place to work, and I have been made so welcome by 바카라사이트 UCL leadership and my o바카라사이트r colleagues. I hope I can repay 바카라사이트ir confidence in me. On top of that, I have wonderful roles at 바카라사이트 National Centre for Universities and Business, 바카라사이트 Association of Medical Research Charities and now CaSE. I must have done something good in a previous life.

john.elmes@telegraph.co.uk