Today’s physics news: Scientists go to war with their funding council, and more…

Today’s physics news: Scientists go to war with their funding council, and more…

Scientists go to war with their funding council

Leading chemists, physicists and mathematicians are at war with their funding council, the EPSRC, accusing it of being out of touch and arrogant, ignoring scientific expertise and fostering mediocre science. In this article, Anna Fazackerley talks to some of Britain’s leading scientists as well as Paul Golby, the EPSRC’s new chair.

Guardian

Higgs calls on Cameron to keep his promises

Peter Higgs, the physicist who first posited the existence of the Higgs boson, has urged the Government to keep up investment in pure science. Professor Higgs said the level of investment in science achieved by the coalition Government compared unfavourably with its Labour predecessor. Professor Higgs added that pure science degrees were as necessary as vocational qualifications. “You need both. Investment in science is a long-term investment,” he said.

The Times