ASDC delivers open letter signed by over 3,100 leading scientists and stakeholders

Science Centres For Our Future campaign calls on Ministers to fund the spaces that inspire the nation about STEM with an open letter, signed by over 3,100 leading scientists and stakeholders.

On 25th November, as part of the Science Centres for Our Future campaign, ASDC delivered an open letter to Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, Science and Technology Secretary Liz Kendall, and Science Minister Lord Vallance.

The letter, which has been signed by over 3,100 leading scientists, academics, business leaders and members of the public including teachers, doctors nurses, parents and grandparents, calls on the Government to recognise science and discovery centres as a core part of the UK’s scientific, educational and cultural infrastructure.

Key signatories from across science communication and media include; Professor Katherine Heymans, Astronomer Royal for Scotland, Ottoline Leyser, Regius Professor of Botany University of Cambridge, Professor Alice Roberts, Professor of Public Engagement in Science, University of Birmingham, Dr Kenneth Skeldon MBE, President of the European Science Engagement Association and Research Engagement Manager, University of Glasgow, Professor Chris Lintott, Professor of Astrophysics, University of Oxford, Professor Lucie Green, Professor of Solar Physics at University College London, Professor Justin Dillon, Professor of Science & Environmental Education, University College London, David Edward Sugden, Emeritus Professor, Ian Smail, Emeritus Professor, J Murray Roberts, Professor Applied Marine Biology & Ecology, Mike Lockwood, Professor of Space Environment Physics, University of Reading, President of the Royal Astronomical Society, Professor Turi King, Director of the Milner Centre for Evolution, University of Bath, Matthew Cobb, Professor Emeritus, University of Manchester, Professor Katherine Joy, Professor of Lunar and Planetary Science University of Manchester and Megan McCubbin, Wildlife Presenter and Author.

The open letter also calls on Ministers to help fund the sector’s infrastructure needs in the same way as it does comparable organisations including museums, theatres and libraries.

Engaging and inspiring the public about STEM, at scale

The network of 25+ science and discovery centres includes some of the UK’s best-loved community institutions, such as the National Space Centre in Leicester, Glasgow Science Centre in Scotland, and Techniquest in Cardiff.

These centres collectively reach more than 5.2 million people each year, 55% of whom identify as women and girls, including pupils and teachers in 35% of all UK schools and 96% of Parliamentary constituencies.

Many centres provide visits completely free of charge, enabling more than 450,000 people, from communities traditionally underrepresented in STEM, to participate in science research and innovation each year, helping open up pathways to opportunity for learners of all ages, genders, backgrounds and abilities.

Ageing infrastructure is putting science and discovery centres at imminent risk

Science centres’ continuing ability to deliver these important outcomes is being undermined by a lack of Government support for the sector.

Most centres were established 25+ years ago under the last Labour Government with funding provided by the Millennium Commission and National Lottery. They were housed in purpose-built buildings with a design life of 25-30 years. As a result, centres’ essential infrastructure including roofs, heating and cooling systems, and glazing are starting to fail, and need urgent repair or replacement.

But unlike museums, arts galleries, theatres and libraries which can access government and National Lottery funding for their infrastructure needs, science and discovery centres have historically been excluded from these schemes.

Without Government support, science centres will be forced to significantly scale back their operations, including their community outreach activities. They will need to operate more commercially and withdraw free and subsidised access, undermining their core purpose and charitable mission of increasing access to STEM opportunities for everyone.

Science Centres For Our Future campaign policy asks

To put science centres on a sustainable footing and ensure they can continue inspiring, engaging and involving the next generation and diverse communities in UK science and technology for the next 25+ years, those signing the Science Centres For Our Future open letter are calling on the Government to:

1. Recognise science centres as part of the UK’s scientific and cultural ecosystem, and provide funding for the sector’s infrastructure needs, similar to that provided for comparable organisations including museums, libraries, arts, theatre and heritage.
2. Fund science centres’ highest priority and urgent building maintenance needs by providing a one-off capital injection into the sector of £19.5 million in the current financial year.
3. Secure science centres’ long-term future for the next 25+ years by establishing a Science Centre Capital Renewal Fund worth £12 million per year over the next 5 years.