Bolton West MP Chris Green swapped the House of Commons’ green benches for a lab bench in a scheme that sees parliamentarians exchange places with scientists.
The MP, an engineer of 20 years and member of the Science and Technology Select Committee, spent a day at Leeds University as part of the Royal Society’s pairing scheme which aims to explore how research findings can inform policy making.
The visit saw Chris join Professor Michelle Peckham (Molecular and Cellular Biology) in the University’s Faculty of Biological Sciences and take part in a ‘mock’ science and technology committee. Last year Professor Peckham spent a day in Parliament as part of the scheme to find out more about the policy making process.
Chris commented:
“I came to the University of Leeds 20 years ago as an engineer to install some equipment, so it was really good to come back here and see the current investment in new equipment and laboratories.
“The pairing scheme is a fantastic opportunity to increase awareness about the work of Parliament and also for parliamentarians to understand more about science.
“I’m already looking forward to the next scheme, and it is particularly good to see that we have had interest from local scientists for the first time.”