More than 200 physics teachers sign letter opposing budget cuts

An open letter from UK physics teachers opposing budget cuts proposed by the Government has now received more than 200 signatures.

The Royal Astronomical Society has been encouraging teachers to put their names to the letter in response to plans outlined by the Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC) at the beginning of the year. These indicated that the budget for particle physics, astronomy and nuclear physics together would drop by around 30 per cent. Project groups were also asked to plan for budget reductions of up to 60 per cent.

To sign the letter to Lord Vallance, Minister of State for Science, Innovation, Research and Nuclear, published in full below, click: Open letter to Lord Vallance from UK physics teachers – Fill in form.

Lord Vallance of Balham KCB

Minister of State for Science, Innovation, Research and Nuclear

Department of Science, Innovation and Technology

Dear Lord Vallance,

Cuts to funding for astronomy and space science

We are writing to you as physics teachers in secondary schools and sixth form colleges, to express our grave concern at the cuts to funding for astronomy and space science, and particle and nuclear physics, proposed by the Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC).

As you know, these amount to 30% overall, and project groups have been asked to plan for budget reductions of up to 60%. We urge you to take prompt action to reverse these cuts, the scale of which are without precedent in modern times.

For at least two decades, successive Governments have recognised and said publicly that science is vital for the UK economy, and that there is a pressing need to increase the number of young people choosing to study physics in particular, and to take up roles in careers in science and engineering. This message has been heard by students and many more are now considering careers in the STEM sector.

As teachers, we play a central part in delivering that ambition. We see every day how the universe around us has a unique power to inspire learners to pursue careers in science, and how asking fundamental questions on the origin and fate of the cosmos, or whether we are alone in the universe, brings a sense of wonder to the classroom.

Young people can see that UK researchers are a core part of the effort to understand the cosmos. Numerous role models, from postgraduates to professors, working on some of the most exciting projects in the world, convince our school students that they too can take up roles in astronomy and space science. We do of course understand that most following that route will go on to work in industry or the wider economy, but they take their unique skill set and innovation with them. This enriches organisations in the public, private and third sector as a result.

Implementing these cuts will almost certainly lead to the catastrophic loss of a generation of STEM students, postdoctoral researchers and established scientists. It will cause irreparable harm to astronomy as a whole, and will send the message to our students that the UK is no longer a country that values inspirational science. It will in time also have a deleterious effect on the economy more widely.

In the face of this threat to a scientific discipline of such enormous value to our students, and to us as teachers, can we ask you to intervene to save astronomy and space science?

Yours sincerely,

Media contacts

Sam Tonkin

Royal Astronomical Society

Mob: +44 (0)7802 877 700

press@ras.ac.uk

Dr Robert Massey

Royal Astronomical Society

Mob: +44 (0)7802 877 699

press@ras.ac.uk

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 and review 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.

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