The United Kingdom is home to some of the most renowned scientists in the world. Yet if you asked many people they might find it difficult to name anyone apart from Stephen Hawking.
Ask them to name a female scientist and I think they would struggle but we have some exceptional scientists in Dame Athene Donald, Dame Jocelyn Bell Burnell and Dame Carol Richardson amongst others.
Encouragingly, more women than ever before are working in science, technology and engineering occupations, according to official data. The Labour Force Survey reveals that nearly 800,000 women work in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematic occupations, 104,000 more than in 2014.
This is 14.4% of the overall UK STEM workforce but it’s the worst in Europe and still a long way away from the 30% goal that the campaign group, Women in Science and Engineering, (Wise) set 30 years ago.
We need to get more young women into science and technology careers, and we should encourage young men to do the same if we are to ensure that the UK continues to move forward economically and socially.
Many commentators talk about rebalancing our economy and putting more effort into renewing our manufacturing base. The exploration and production of shale gas will have a role to play in this.
To ensure we have the people with the right skills to develop an industry that can increase our competitiveness, the Government and the onshore industry has established a National College for Onshore Oil and Gas.
Centres throughout the country will provide young people with the opportunity to develop the specialist skills from A level equivalents right through to post graduate degree levels.
Under the leadership of Colette Cohen, the head of Centrica’s UK oil and gas production business, the National College will help the UK become an international centre of excellence for onshore oil and gas. EY estimates in its report ‘Getting ready for UK shale gas’ that 64,500 jobs can be created by the industry and its supply chain. We want to ensure that women can be at the forefront of the opportunities that the shale gas industry offers.
I have spent my whole career communicating about the importance and excitement of science and hopefully inspiring young people to study and build careers in science and technology. Shale gas is a real opportunity not just for job creation but it will also make a real contribution to reducing greenhouse gas emissions, and our dependence on overseas imports.
I’m keen to talk to all groups that share my vision of a low carbon energy future. I am a great believer in working in partnership and want to discuss how we can work together to reach a solution where low carbon energy is plentiful and we have weaned ourselves off fossil fuels.
However it is clear that without serious investment in research and in infrastructure we will be no further forward in 20 years’ time. The shale gas revolution offers the UK an unprecedented opportunity to move us towards the low carbon world we seek to leave as our legacy.
I understand that the shale gas is an emotive subject in the UK, and there have been numerous myths about spread about fracking but the truth is that numerous respected British scientific institutions have conducted extensive research into fracking and found that it can be developed safely if the regulatory framework is robust.
I am convinced that developing the UK’s home grown sources of gas will play a major role in securing energy supplies and moving the UK towards a low carbon economy, and that it can be done safely with minimal impact to local communities.
However we need to ensure that we understand the full range of perspectives held by individuals from all sections of society and continue to respond to their concerns.
Professor Averil Macdonald is chair of UK Onshore Oil & Gas and emeritus professor of science engagement at the University of Reading
Recommended for you
