MP swaps the Commons for UCLan science labs

23 March 2017

Chris Green MP visits University as part of Royal Society pairing scheme

A local MP has swapped the corridors of Westminster for the science labs of the University of Central Lancashire (UCLan) as part of pairing scheme run by the Royal Society.

Dr Megan Argo, from UCLan’s Jeremiah Horrocks Institute for Mathematics, Physics and Astronomy, welcomed Bolton West MP Chris Green for a reciprocal visit following Dr Argo’s visit to Westminster last November.

The unique pairing scheme run by the Royal Society - the UK’s national academy of science, with support from the Government Office for Science, allowed Dr Argo and Mr Green to learn about each other’s worlds and explore how research findings can inform policy making.

During his trip to UCLan Mr Green learned about the University’s scientific research, met current physics, maths and computing students and also had a tour of the University’s Alston Observatory.  

"The pairing scheme is a fantastic opportunity to increase awareness about the work of Parliament and also for parliamentarians to understand more about science."

He said: “It was great to join Dr Argo at UCLan, as well as meet with some of its students.  I was particularly impressed by the resources available to undergraduates, especially the telescopes, and its current investment programme in the university.

"The pairing scheme is a fantastic opportunity to increase awareness about the work of Parliament and also for parliamentarians to understand more about science.

"Thank you to Dr Argo and the rest of the University for giving me such a warm welcome."

Dr Argo specialises in radio astronomy and has worked with some of the best radio telescopes in the world.  She is a keen science communicator and gives talks and lectures to schools around the country so jumped at the chance to take part in the scheme and share her views with the Minister.

She commented: “I’ve always had an interest in science policy and I couldn’t have picked a better time to take part in this programme at a time when the Brexit bill will have huge implications for science.  I now know more about how policy is made and passed through parliament and importantly, how I can influence this.

“I hope Mr Green enjoyed his visit to UCLan; our students certainly enjoyed discussing the future of the Northern Powerhouse in relation to Preston and it was nice to show him the work we are doing up at the Observatory in Alston.”