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London Diplomatic Science Club meets at UCL to discuss key European policies

16 February 2018

UCL academics join LDSC event at UCL to discuss future scientific and research collaboration in Europe

LDSC members meet at UCL

Scientific attachés from 15 European embassies in London attended a working lunch at UCL on 14 February 2018 to discuss science, research and higher education policy in Europe.

A number of UCL academics with expertise in EU law, EU institutions and higher education and research policy, as well as senior management staff specialising in the area, joined the event to offer their take on various aspects of the key policy debates.

The LDSC is a veteran diplomatic association with origins in the Commonwealth Scientific Liaison Office, which was formed after the British Commonwealth Scientific Conference of 1946.

Close links with diplomatic community


UCL’s President and Provost Professor Michael Arthur was there to welcome the members of the London Diplomatic Science Club and host the group’s discussion.

Dr Uta Staiger, co-founder and Executive Director of the UCL European Institute and UCL's Pro-Vice-Provost (Europe) joined the group. 

She said: “The event built on our close links with London’s diplomatic community and gave us an excellent opportunity to discuss future scientific and research collaboration in Europe.”

Further UCL participants included, among others, Professor David Price (Vice-Provost Research), Sarah Chaytor (Director of Research Strategy & Policy, Office of the Vice-Provost Research), Professor Piet Eeckhout (Professor of EU Law and Dean, UCL Faculty of Laws), Dr Christine Reh (Reader in European Politics, UCL School of Public Policy), Dr Richard Mole (Deputy Director of the School of Slavonic and East European Studies) and Michael Browne (Head of UCL European Research and Innovation).

Future European higher education and research policy


The occasion allowed diplomats to gauge how one of the UK’s leading universities assesses future European higher education and research policy.

In turn, it gave UCL the chance to address concerns, queries and priorities – as they arise for science and research with Brexit – from the perspective of other EU member states.

The event was organised by the Global Engagement Office with generous support from the Grand Challenges office.