The Royal Astronomical Society (RAS) is co-hosting a parliamentary drop-in event on 15 June as part of an ongoing campaign to reverse catastrophic funding cuts planned for UK astronomy and particle physics.
This drop-in will feature some of the highest profile astronomers and physicists covering different career stages, including Professor Brian Cox CBE, Dr Becky Smethurst, RAS President Professor Jim Wild and the Astronomer Royal for Scotland Professor Catherine Heymans. Its aim is to draw attention to the benefits of the sciences, in an effort to build opposition to the cuts.
The Society has been working on the event with Clive Lewis MP, whose office has invited representatives from all parties, but would very much appreciate it if Fellows, Friends and supporters of the RAS could also write to their MP to encourage them to attend.
A sample email can be found below but please do tailor it accordingly if for example you know your MP personally, or you are in an astronomy, planetary or space science department or facility in their constituency. You can find contact details for your MP here.
If you have any questions, please email Dr Robert Massey, Deputy Executive Director of the RAS, at rmassey@ras.ac.uk. Thank you for your support of the Society and its work.
Subject: Invitation to meet the stars of physics and astronomy, 4-6pm, Room 3, Westminster Hall, 15 June
Dear xxxxx,
I am writing to you as a [Fellow/Friend/supporter] of the Royal Astronomical Society and [insert your particular interest or occupation here]. From 4-6pm on 15 June, Clive Lewis MP is hosting a drop-in event where established and rising stars of astronomy and physics will come to Room 3 in Westminster Hall to talk to parliamentarians about the value of these sciences.
This drop-in for parliamentarians will feature guests including media stars and scientists Professor Brian Cox CBE and Dr Becky Smethurst, physicist Professor Jon Butterworth, RAS President Professor Jim Wild and the Astronomer Royal for Scotland Professor Catherine Heymans.
At the drop-in the guests will be open to discussions about the proposed cuts to the Science and Technology Facilities Council budget, which could see grants fall by up to 30% over the course of the Spending Review. You will also be provided with a short briefing on the cuts so you are fully apprised of their impact.
As your constituent, can I ask you to set aside a little time to go along to this event? I would be very happy to meet with you separately to talk through our concerns, and [if appropriate] we would be delighted to host you in a visit to [department etc.]
Yours sincerely,
Media contacts
Sam Tonkin
Royal Astronomical Society
Mob: +44 (0)7802 877 700
Notes for editors
About the Royal Astronomical Society
The Royal Astronomical Society (RAS), founded in 1820, encourages and promotes the study of astronomy, solar-system science, geophysics and closely related branches of science.
The RAS organises scientific meetings, publishes international research journals, recognises outstanding achievements by the award of medals and prizes, maintains an extensive library, supports education through grants and outreach activities and represents UK astronomy nationally and internationally. Its more than 4,000 members (Fellows), a third based overseas, include scientific researchers in universities, observatories and laboratories as well as historians of astronomy and others.
The RAS accepts papers for its journals based on the principle of successful peer review, following which experts on the Editorial Boards accept the papers for publication. The Society issues press releases based on a similar principle, but the organisations and scientists concerned have overall responsibility for their content.
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