Impact through Policy Advocacy.
We work hard to ensure our research and innovation achieves the deepest and widest impact, which includes stimulating public debate and contributing to evidence-based policy.
Saskia Hervey
Head of Public Affairs
At the Earlham Institute, we work with policymakers across all levels of government and political affiliations, facilitating knowledge exchange and helping to inform public policies.
From advances in microbial research, and human health, to agricultural innovation and understanding the impacts of climate change, our science plays a pivotal role in guiding contemporary policy decisions. By providing policymakers with evidence-based insights from our research, we help translate complex scientific findings into impactful policies.
It’s crucial for our scientists to understand how their work can benefit policymakers and find opportunities to effectively present their research for maximum influence.
Impact through science
Science-driven evidence provides a legitimate and reliable foundation for public policy decisions. However, ensuring policymakers adopt sound scientific analysis can be challenging, given the competing priorities they face.
Our Public Affairs team actively monitors the political agenda and upcoming legislative developments, engaging regularly with civil servants, parliamentarians and science policy stakeholders.
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In early 2025 secondary legislation was laid before Parliament to implement the Genetic Technology (Precision Breeding) Act 2023. The new regulations offer an important step towards the innovation and commercial use of precision-bred plants.
The Earlham Institute joined colleagues across the Norwich Research Park to support the primary legislation through Parliament.
Together we engaged with MPs, Peers, government officials, and stakeholders to profile our research and innovation in plant genetics and agricultural technology to explain why this regulatory reform was needed. We demonstrated the opportunities that new breeding techniques can bring for developing plants and crops that can adapt faster to the changing climate, become pathogen resistant and produce higher yields.
Related Reading
- January 2025: Government committed to unlocking precision breeding technology
- March 2023: Precision breeding technology legislation receives Royal Assent
- Jan 2022: New legislation granted to progress plant gene editing in UK
- Jan 2022: UK Parliament POSTnote on genome edited food crops
- Sept 2021: ‘Unlocking power of gene editing to protect the natural environment’ - the Earlham Institute comments
- Jan 2021: Gene editing: why scientists need to be part of the conversation
- Nov 2020: Five reasons why gene editing is good for the UK
- Jun 2020: Advancing gene edited crops is crucial for the UK economy & global food security
- May 2019: The case for the UK to embrace gene edited crops
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In 2024 the Labour Government published its Green Paper: Invest 2035: the UK's Modern Industrial Strategy. The Government identified life sciences as one of eight key growth driving sectors. As a leading institute in life science research, the Earlham Institute welcomed the Government's support for life sciences including Engineering Biology.
The Earlham Institute is home to the Earlham Biofoundry which is at the cutting edge of Engineering Biology research and development. The Biofoundry works both with academics across Norwich Research Park and several start-up companies.
Our Public Affairs team collaborated with researchers and other professionals across Norwich Research Park to bring Engineering Biology to the forefront of Government thinking.
In June 2024 Dr Carolina Grandellis, Head of the Earlham Biofoundry, was interviewed by the House of Lords Science and Technology Committee where she raised concerns over the difficulties faced by Engineering Biology researchers in the UK. She discussed some of the significant issues retaining and recruiting skilled staff particularly international researchers who face additional barriers entering the UK.
Faced with compelling evidence, the members of the Committee wrote to the Minister of State for the Department of Science, Innovation and Technology to bring the concerns of the Earlham Institute and other researchers to the highest levels. We welcomed the announcement from the Chancellor that the Government would address this issue in a new Immigration White Paper to be published in Summer 2025.
The final report by the House of Lords Science and Technology Committee was released in January, titled 'Don’t Fail to Scale: Seizing the Opportunity of Engineering Biology'. The report expressed several recommendations which were welcomed by the Earlham Institute. The Committee reflected that without further investment in facilities and skills the UK risks losing its edge in the Engineering Biology sector.
Get in touch
If you would like to discuss more about our impact on policy, please contact us.
This area of work is led by Saskia Hervey, Head of Public Affairs, who's role is to support the development of evidence-based policy by making research expertise more accessible to all our stakeholders including those in government and Parliament.
