The scheme aims to help to build relationships between scientists and politicians, ensuring that policymakers can make decisions based on the best scientific evidence. It has been running since 2001, in collaboration with the Government Office for Science's GSE Profession Team.
Dr Keri Wong is an Associate Professor of Developmental Psychology, leads The Wong Lab, and is co-Director of IOE’s Centre for Education and Criminal Justice. She is currently an UKRI ESRC Policy Fellow seconded to the UK Home Office and volunteers for the Home Office Science Advisory Council (2024-25).
During the four days in March 2025, Dr Keri Wong spent time shadowing Baroness Neville-Jones, a current member of the House of Lords and member of the Science and Technology Committee.
Later in the year, roles will reverse when Baroness Neville-Jones will visit UCL to experience Dr Wong’s work with youth hubs and community partners, and discover more about the world of research taking place at UCL and IOE, UCL’s Faculty of Education and Society.
Ahead of the scheme’s launch, Baroness Neville-Jones said:
“I am looking forward to taking part again in the Royal Society Pairing Scheme. It gives scientists an opportunity to see from inside how policy makers and legislators make decisions which affect science. For legislators like me – I sit on the Lords Science and Technology committee – the scheme provides an invaluable insight into the priorities and needs of the scientific world and increases my ability to give informed support to science in the UK. It’s also very enjoyable.”
During the same week, Dr Keri Wong was one of 42 newest members inducted into the growing UK Young Academy. The UK Young Academy supports emerging leaders across a wide range of sectors to address global challenges and joins the global initiative of Young Academies around the world.
Dr Keri Wong said:
"My week spent as a member of the Royal Society Pairing Scheme and the UK Young Academy programmes gave me first-hand experience of being in the 'action': I was in Parliament with Baroness Neville-Jones who got us front row Speaker Gallery seats to watch the PM questions and the delivery of the Spring budget, part of an evidence inquiry for scaling start-ups in the UK, and various Lord's debates of important bills being passed."
"I am extremely grateful for these experiences as they've helped me rethink my role as a scientist and given me renewed confidence in working collaboratively with other like-minded individuals in translating science into real world impact that improves society and lives.”
Dr Wong was inducted to the UK Young Academy at an event held at the Academy of Medical Sciences, alongside fellow professionals and researchers who will embark on interdisciplinary efforts to tackle local and global issues.
Speaking on behalf of the UK Young Academy Membership Selection Committee, Alistair McConnell, Assistant Professor in Computer Science at Heriot-Watt University, said:
"The solutions to the world's most pressing challenges won’t come from a single field or perspective. We need to bring together expertise and insights from a range of disciplines."
Links
- Royal Society announces Pairing Scheme 2025
- UK Young Academy appoints 42 new emerging leaders
- Dr Keri Wong’s UCL profile
- Centre for Education and Criminal Justice
- The Wong Lab
- Department of Psychology and Human Development
Images
Top, left to right: Baroness Neville-Jones and Dr Keri Wong, courtesy of the Royal Society.
Middle, with quote: Official portrait of Baroness Neville-Jones © House of Lords / photography by Roger Harris.
Bottom, left to right: Baroness Neville-Jones and Dr Keri Wong, courtesy of the Royal Society.