Essex physics expert visits Parliament for Royal Society Pairing Scheme

A Physics expert from Essex got to rub shoulders with MPs and senior civil servants as part of the annual Royal Society Pairing Scheme.

The scheme brings the worlds of academia and government together, allowing research scientist and policymakers the chance to experience each other’s worlds and share ideas.

Dr Nikolaos Fytas, from the University of Essex’s School of Mathematics, Statistics and Actuarial Science, was among 30 academics attending Parliament for the event after successfully applying for a place.

Dr Fytas was able to highlight the work of the School alongside discussing his research work around disordered systems, condensed matter physics and statistical mechanics.

He said: “I had an absolutely fantastic time as I was paired with a Civil Servant from the Home Office and had some shadowing time with him, so I really got to know the underlying aspects of those people’s work.

“I also had the chance to meet great academics from all over the UK, with whom we had nice conversations and took part in several activities. It’s possible some new research collaborations might pop up as well from my time there.”

During his visit to Parliament, Dr Fytas took part in a series of activities and meetings involving the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, Michelle Donelan, the Chair of Science, Innovation, and Technology Committee, as well as the President of the Royal Society.

As well as sharing their ideas, the academics also got the chance to express their concerns and views on the future of science in the UK with government officials.

Dr Fytas added: “Along with getting the chance to meet with civil servants from the Department of Science, Innovation and Technology, one of the most exciting parts of the Pairing Scheme was taking part in a mock selection committee at Westminster where we had the chance to ask questions to two MPs.

“There aren’t many people in academia that get the chance to meet and talk at this level with certain influential people in government.”