Week in Westminster for Teesside University environmental scientist

Lecturer in Environment Science at Teesside University, Dr Oluseye Oludoye is exploring the world of politics and policymaking as part of the Royal Society Pairing Scheme this week.

Dr Oludoye, whose research focuses on promoting environmentally friendly practices in the growth, distribution and consumption of food, is one of 30 scientists swapping places with politicians and civil servants as part of the prestigious annual scheme.

He has been paired with Fayyaz Muneer, Deputy Director of Prudential and Sustainability at HM Treasury, whose team focuses on sustainable finance.

The first phase of the scheme involves Dr Oludoye spending a week in Westminster, where he will gain behind-the-scenes insight into how policy is formed, shadow Fayyaz Muneer to learn about their work, and attend a parliamentary reception sponsored by Baroness Brown of Cambridge.

Dr Oludoye said: “I am truly honoured to be selected for this year’s Royal Society Pairing Scheme.

“It is an exciting opportunity to bring research and policymaking closer together and to ensure that science has a seat at the table when tackling some of today’s most urgent environmental challenges.”

The scheme will continue later in the year, when Fayyaz Muneer will visit Dr Oludoye at Teesside University to learn more about how academic research is carried out.

The Royal Society Pairing Scheme, which has been running since 2001 in partnership with the Government Office for Science’s GSE Profession Team, helps to build understanding and relationships between scientists and politicians. It ensures that policymakers can make decisions based on scientific evidence.

Previous participants of the pairing scheme include Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, Nick Clegg, former Deputy Prime Minister, and Caroline Lucas MP, former leader of the Green Party.

Sir Adrian Smith, President of the Royal Society, said: “At a time when science and scientists are under threat around the globe, programmes such as the Royal Society Pairing Scheme have never been more important.

“We must continue to strengthen links between scientists and policy makers.

“Having this group of UK scientists in Westminster to develop their understanding of policy making and share their expertise to shape it can help ensure research is translated into policy that improves lives.”

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