Pembroke alumna, Dr Katerina Johnson, attends Voice of the Future event at Parliament to discuss STEM disciplines

Recent alumna Dr Katerina Johnson (Interdisciplinary Bioscience (BBSRC DTP), 2014) attended the annual Voice of the Future event in the Houses of Parliament. Katerina was selected to attend as a representative of The Genetics Society.

The event gives young career scientists the opportunity to raise questions relating to the future of science, especially at such a crucial time in the UK’s shifting political and national landscape. This year’s event took place on the 12th March and was organised by the Royal Society of Biology (RSB). The event saw representatives from societies and STEM disciplines question MPs and senior political figures, including the science minister Chris Skidmore MP, members of the Science Select Committee and the Government Chief Scientific Adviser. Discussions were dominated by the impact of a potential ‘no-deal’ Brexit on science, but also spanned topics as varied as air pollution, ‘fake news’, tuition fees and apprenticeships.

Katerina commented: ‘I was delighted that The Genetics Society selected me to represent them at the Voice of the Future event. This is a unique event in the Houses of Parliament which follows the format of a Select Committee, with the roles reversed allowing young scientists to quiz senior politicians. I was very pleased that my question on the safety and ethics of genome editing was chosen to be featured at the event. It was an interesting day to be at the Palace of Westminster, with the Brexit vote happening the same evening.’

The proceedings were launched by Speaker of the House Rt Hon John Bercow MP, who spoke on the importance of science as a subject, and the need for more science experts in Parliament.

Congratulations Katerina!