The Royal Society has decided the public need to engage with science more, and handed the task to TV scientist Professor Brian Cox. Seems reasonable, since he’s been bringing science to the masses on the telly for years now.

The celebrity physicist, who played keyboards in the band D.Ream in the 1990s, has vowed to “help change the perception of science” across the land.

Speaking for the first time in his new role, Coxy laid down how he saw the problems facing science in Britain. Apparently we’ve got “world-leading” scientific potential, but the UK needs a cultural transformation before we make the most of it.

How does he think British science needs to change?

Brian Cox
(Ian West/PA)

According to Cox there are two things about British science which don’t quite add up.

1. There’s a general view that science is a key driver of economic growth.

2. On the other hand, the UK invests less of its Gross Domestic Product (GDP) on research than many other countries.

“We are fortunate to have in place all the components to make Britain the best place in the world to do science; world-leading research and teaching universities, national laboratories and facilities and powerful and prestigious institutions like the Royal Society,” said Cox.

Brian Cox
(Ian West/PA)

“It is strange, therefore, that we invest significantly less in scientific research than our major competitors; the UK invests 1.8% of GDP; USA 2.7%; Germany 2.8%; South Korea 4%. Part of the reason is that science is not held in the same high regard culturally as it is internationally, and particularly in developing economies such as India and China.

“China doubled its investment in science between 2000 and 2012 while the UK reduced the proportion of its GDP spent over that time.”

What will Cox be doing to help?

Brian Cox
(Nick Ansell/PA)

Apparently it’s all about cooperation between the big scientific institutions – with the aim of raising the profile of science in the UK. Part of Coxy’s plan is to inspire teachers and students to give them a “flavour of the fun that can be had bringing science to life”.

“In my new position at the Royal Society, I want to help change the perception of science. I want to see our great cultural and scientific institutions – the universities, the learned societies, museums, schools, the BBC – work together to raise the cultural and political profile of science, research and education. I want to see our investment in science, and particularly in young scientists, rise to levels at or beyond our competitors.

“I passionately believe that science can be a vehicle for the redistribution of opportunity in our society as well as a driver for economic growth.”

Do other people agree?

Sir Paul Nurse and George Osborne
Sir Paul Nurse watches as George Osborne helps build the shiny new Francis Crick Institute in London (Sean Dempsey/PA)

Sir Paul Nurse, the president of the Royal Society, certainly does. He echoed Cox’s sentiments on how great British science was but how we’ve got to make sure it reaches everyone.

“The UK is very good at science but it is seen as something difficult and perhaps removed from ordinary people. We have high levels of trust and surveys show that scientists are seen as creative, interesting and open-minded people but how many of us encourage our children to be a scientist?

“We are seeing signs of a recovery with the numbers of young people studying science creeping up but we really need to see a bigger change and that requires more radical action. The Royal Academy of Engineering estimate that by 2020 we will need over a million new science, engineering and technology professionals.

“Britain was built by science and engineering during the industrial revolution and we need to rediscover that passion for innovation in all parts of society.”