R&D Society event: How important is R&D? with David Edgerton October 30, 2007

David Edgerton, Hans Rausing Professor at the Centre for the History of Science, Technology and Medicine, Imperial College London writes: "One of the great problems we have with science and technology is that elite discussion (let alone public understanding) is based on sometimes dubious assumptions rather than on the basis of evidence. A good example is the underlying assumption that national R&D spending correlates with national rates of economic growth. It does not, as I will show. But this is not an argument for the unimportance of R&D. Rather it suggests that R&D must be thought about in less nationalistic ways, for which there are other compelling reasons. Avoiding the naïve economics of R&D is essential to good policies for R&D. At the same time we need to recognise more clearly that doing R&D is far from the only way of changing either the world, or the performance of the British economy."

Organised by the Research and Development Society. Doors open for registration and coffee at 6pm. The meeting starts at 6.30pm with a drinks reception at 8pm.

Book by completing the online form and follow with payment online or by post. The meeting fee is £20 for R&D Society members and £40 for non-members, including refreshments and wine reception. You can flag Attending here, but formal booking via the event homepage is required.

Official Website: http://www.rdsoc.org/07L5.html