Scientist to shadow Fife MP

A St Andrews University expert is swapping her lab coat for legislation.

Dr Silvia Paracchini from the university’s school of medicine is shadowing North-East Fife SNP MP Stephen Gethins at the House of Commons for a week.

It is part of a pairing scheme run by the Royal Society with support from Government Science and Engineering (GSE).

As well as attending seminars and panel discussions about how evidence is used in policy making, Dr Paracchini will also observe a mock select committee.

The visit will provide her with insight into how policy is formed and how her research can be used to make evidencebased decisions.

Dr Paracchini said: “Now more than ever we need to establish positive channels of communication to consolidate trust and respect between scientists and the public and promote evidence-based policy making.

“This scheme is a fantastic opportunity to understand how different sections of the Parliament work and to discuss directly with politicians issues of key importance for scientists.”

Mr Gethins added: “Staff at St Andrews University are of extremely high calibre and it is always a pleasure to welcome them to Parliament.”

In turn, he will get hands-on experience of neurogenetics when he dons a lab coat to visit Dr Paracchini at the university next year.