Cornwall MP paired with Exeter academic in research and policy exchange scheme
Dr Jo Garrett (L) and Jayne Kirkham (R)
Cornish MP Jayne Kirkham has been paired with a University of Exeter academic to explore how research can inform policy making in the UK.
Dr Jo Garrett, Research Fellow at the University of Exeter’s European Centre for Environment and Human Health (ECEHH), was one of the 30 UK researchers and scientists selected to explore the world of politics as part of the annual Royal Society Pairing Scheme.
The scheme is aimed at building relationships between scientists and politicians to ensure that policymakers make decisions based on the best scientific evidence. As part of the scheme, Dr Garrett was paired with Jayne Kirkham, MP for the Truro and Falmouth area.
Jo attended a parliamentary session at Westminster in March at the invitation of Jayne Kirkham who in turn visited Exeter’s Penryn campus in May.
Dr Jo Garrett said: “It was insightful to have Jayne visit us at Exeter. It was really valuable to discuss how evidence can be used in policymaking, the challenges involved, and how we as scientists can best communicate our findings to policymakers.”
Jayne Kirkham said: “It was really valuable to take part in the Royal Society Pairing Scheme, to learn about the research and evidence at the University of Exeter, and to discuss how I can take this evidence back to the House of Commons to help inform and influence policy.”
