| Science and Technology Facilities Council | |
|---|---|
 STFC logo |
|
| Abbreviation | STFC |
| Formation | 2007 |
| Legal status | Government agency |
| Purpose/focus | Funding of science research |
| Location | North Star Avenue, Swindon, UK |
| Region served | UK |
| Chief Executive | Keith Mason |
| Affiliations | BNSC |
| Website | STFC |
The Science and Technology Facilities Council is a UK government body that carries out civil research in science and engineering, and funds UK research in areas including particle physics, nuclear physics, space science and astronomy (both ground-based and space-based).
Contents |
History
It was formed in 2007 from the merger of the Particle Physics and Astronomy Research Council (PPARC) with the Council for the Central Laboratory of the Research Councils (CCLRC).
Activities
The Science and Technology Facilities Council is one of Europe's largest multidisciplinary research organisations supporting scientists and engineers world-wide. It operates world-class, large scale research facilities (such as materials research, laser and space science and alternative energy exploration) and provides strategic advice to the UK government on their development. It also manages international research projects in support of a broad cross-section of the UK research community and directs, coordinates and funds research, education and training. It is a partner in the British National Space Centre (BNSC) providing about 40% of the UK government's expenditure in space science and technology.
Aims
The activities of the council aim to enable scientists to answer what it believes are the 'big' questions such as:[1]
- Why is there a Universe?
- How did galaxies form?
- Was there ever life on Mars?
- How do planetary systems evolve?
- How are the chemical elements created?
- How does our climate work?
- How can we create new materials to store energy?
- How can we meet mankind’s need for abundant clean energy?
- How can we design smart materials?
- How do cells work?
- How do degenerative diseases develop?
- How can we design better treatments for cancer?
Funding crisis
In late 2007, it was revealed that there was a massive hole in the STFC budget[2]. It is expected that there are likely to be ≈25% funding cuts in astronomy grants. In addition STFC is undertaking other cost saving measures by cutting down on various facilities, for instance Gemini south. The effect of cuts on STFC-funded research fellowships is yet to be decided.
The UK astronomy, particle-physics and nuclear-physics communities are extremely concerned about the funding cuts. Professor Roger Davis said "I don't think the PPARC Council would have gone along with the merger if it had realised this would be the outcome".[3]
Jodrell Bank
This was a popular media issue at the time, resulting in many errors and false claims by the media. The most famous of these was the supposed proposal by the STFC to close the Jodrell Bank Observatory. This was not a genuine proposal, simply a misunderstanding, possibly leading from an over simplification. The real project in question was that of e-MERLIN based at JBO, this was subsequently raised to a higher priority and hence survived the spending review. There are more details in the STFC press release "STFC response to article in The Times".
The closure and cancellation of many of these proposed projects was not only a result of the ≈£80m shortfall in the STFC's budget, but also a consequence of the Council's decision to concentrate on its strengths and try to reduce activity in areas in which it was not a world leader.
Facilities
It helps operate / provide access for UK and international scientists to the following large-scale facilities:
- Central Laser Facility (CLF) at the Rutherford Appleton Laboratory;
- CERN;
- The space science and space exploration programmes of ESA;
- European Synchrotron Radiation Facility (ESRF);
- Institut Laue-Langevin (ILL);
- Isaac Newton Group of Telescopes (ING), La Palma;
- ISIS pulsed neutron and muon source at the Rutherford Appleton Laboratory;
- Joint Astronomy Centre (JAC), Hawaii;
- Diamond Light Source, being commissioned on the Rutherford Appleton site. Partly funded by the Wellcome Trust;
- UK Astronomy Technology Centre, Edinburgh;
- Microelectronics Support Centre (MSC) at the Rutherford Appleton Laboratory;
- Daresbury Laboratory in Cheshire which has a number of research facilities.
Locations
It employs staff at many locations including:
- Its Head Office is at Polaris House, Swindon, Wiltshire. This is next to the Great Western Main Line and Swindon College;
- Rutherford Appleton Laboratory, at the Harwell Science and Innovation Campus in Oxfordshire, incorporating the ISIS neutron source;
- Daresbury Laboratory at the Daresbury Science and Innovation Campus in Cheshire;
- Chilbolton Observatory, near Stockbridge in Hampshire;
- The UK Astronomy Technology Centre in Edinburgh;
- The Isaac Newton Group of Telescopes, La Palma;
- Joint Astronomy Centre, Hawaii.
Knowledge exchange obligations
STFC is active in its responsibility for knowledge exchange from government funded civil science into UKPLC. As such, many technologies are licensed to UK companies and spin-out companies created including:
- L3 Technology (L3T);
- Microvisk;
- Orbital Optics Ltd;
- Oxsensis;
- PETRRA;
- Quantum Detectors;
- ThruVision.
However knowledge exchange activities are not purely limited to commercialization of technologies, but also cover a wider range of activities which aim to transfer expertise into the wider economy.
See also
- Cosener's House, a conference centre owned by STFC in Abingdon
- STFC - could be confused with Swindon Town F.C.
References
- ^ STFC Delivery plan 2008/9-2011/12, http://www.scitech.ac.uk/resources/pdf/delplan_07.pdf
- ^ Crowther, Paul (2008-01-11 et. seq.), STFC funding crisis: Astronomy, http://pacrowther.staff.shef.ac.uk/stfc.html, retrieved 2008-11-27
- ^ Corbyn, Zoë (2008-01-10), 10,500 sign petition to reverse cuts to science, Times Higher Ed, http://www.timeshighereducation.co.uk/story.asp?storycode=400091, retrieved 2008-11-27
External links
- The Science and Technology Facilities Council
- The Science and Technology Facilities Council Head Office at Polaris House
- ISIS
- The Central Laser Facility
- Research Councils UK
- Diamond
- United Kingdom Astronomy Technology Centre
- Isaac Newton Group of Telescopes
- Microelectronics Support Centre
- EUROPRACTICE Software Service
- PPARC
- CCLRC
- Daresbury Laboratory
Video clips
- SciTechUK YouTube channel
- Video Portal for Videos in STFC areas Provided by the Vega Science Trust (slow loading).
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