Research in Wales received a welcome boost this week with the publication of a featured article in one of the world’s pre-eminent scientific journal Science.

Read the Walesonline coverage here

The open access article,  published in Science on Friday 14 October provides a unique and independent profile of Wales’s scientific landscape and showcases some of the ground-breaking research that Wales has to offer across a range of academic disciplines. Like other countries that see knowledge-growth as a pillar of their economies, Wales has created a science agenda that aims not only to expand academic science, but also to translate science and technology into applications that fuel economic growth.

The Science feature which was written by a freelance journalist under Science’s editorial control is important in casting a timely spotlight on the nation’s scientific sector.  Science is one of the foremost scientific journals in the world, with an international readership of 570,400 readers each week and an online site that receives over 5.6 million visits from across the globe.

In 2013, an earlier featured article in Science highlighted the Welsh Government’s strategy and vision to make science a centrepiece of the Welsh economy through creating research jobs and new businesses.

(See https://www.sciencemag.org/careers/features/2013/04/science-wales )

Professor Peter Halligan, Chief Executive of the Learned Society of Wales commented:

“The Science feature provides a timely global exposure on the realisation of a bold strategy begun in 2012 to place research and scientific agenda at the heart of powering the economic growth of the nation.”

Dr David Blaney, Chief Executive of HEFCW, said:

“HEFCW is committed to supporting a high quality research base in Wales. The Science article once again shines a light on the reputation of Welsh science and on universities’ capacity to deliver effectively. Researchers are rightly being attracted by the unique opportunities offered in Wales, and are contributing to a successful and sustainable research base which really can make a difference to all our futures.”

Professor Julie Williams, The Chief Scientific Adviser for Wales, commented:

“It is a source of great pride that the enormous strides made during the past few years in building a strong scientific capability in Wales are recognised in this Science feature. With the Sêr Cymru programme at the centre of the Welsh science agenda, the next few years should witness a boost in funding, publications and recruitment which will in turn have a positive effect on the economy, and ultimately, all aspects of Welsh society.”

See http://www.sciencemag.org/careers/features/2016/10/wales-wants-more-scientists

For further information please contact Prof Peter W Halligan.

About Learned Society of Wales

The Learned Society of Wales (LSW) is an all‐Wales, pan‐discipline educational charity, operating on an independent basis and providing public benefit including expert scholarly advice on a variety of public policy issues related to science, engineering, medicine, arts, humanities and social sciences. As Wales’s first national academy, the Society brings together the most successful and talented scholars connected with Wales, for the shared purpose and common good of advancing and promoting excellence in all scholarly disciplines across Wales. Established in 2010, the society has now access to the considerable strengths of over 400 distinguished Fellows based in Wales, the UK and beyond.

About Higher Education Funding Council for Wales (HEFCW)

The Higher Education Funding Council for Wales is a Welsh Government sponsored body that supports teaching and research in universities in Wales. Committed to ensuring a high quality research base in Welsh universities, HEFCW allocates funding to support sustainable research excellence, identified in the UK-wide assessment of research quality. HEFCW is the largest single funder of university research in Wales. It also works with the Welsh Government to helps fund and implement the Sêr Cymru programme which will provide additional investment for research in Wales.