June 2, 2016

expert reaction to judge-led inquiry into withholding of government-commissioned research

Sense About Science has published its inquiry into delayed publication of government-commissioned research which reports a lack of clarity about what constitutes government-commissioned research and what is subject to various rules covering publication.

Professor Iain Gillespie, Pro-Vice-Chancellor at the University of Leicester, said:

“This report is both timely and wise. With significant pressures on research budgets across the government and its agencies it is ridiculous that well-grounded research is not accessible to the wider research community as well as to subsequent generations of officials and politicians. The current system ties up scarce research effort often with little outcome to show for it – not for any good reason, simply because the research is not shared. Universities and the Research Councils have already joined the impact club. Implementing this report will help government departments do the same.”

Prof. Anne Glover, Vice-Principal External Affairs & Dean for Europe, University of Aberdeen, said:

“I am very concerned by the evidence from this enquiry. For Government to be credible and to hope to have the trust of citizens, it must make the research it commissions transparent, however uncomfortable the findings may be. However, it seems that even government officials have difficulty in finding what research has been commissioned. I hope Government accepts Sir Stephen’s recommendations in full without delay.”

‘MISSING EVIDENCE: Judge-led inquiry into delayed publication of government-commissioned research unearths chaotic records and weak rules’ led by Rt Hon Sir Stephen Sedley published on Thursday 2^nd June. 

Declared interests

None declared