Nanotechnology Issues Dialogue Group (UK)

The Nanotechnology Issues Dialogue Group (NIDG) is a British nanoscience and nanotechnology organization. Its purposes are to coordinate British government activities involving the opportunities and challenges of nanotechnology; provide a platform from which to monitor the government's activities; and ensure that the government's activities and those of Research Councils are integrated with the Nanotechnology Research [Page 553]Coordination Group (NRCG). The NIDG is governed by Go-Science (the Government Office for Science). Go-Science is headed by the Government Chief Scientific Advisor (GSCA), currently Professor John Beddington. As GCSA, he reports to the Prime Minister and to the Cabinet. He also works with all government departments and is the chief science and engineering professional in the British government.

GO-Science has two main management units: Science in Government (SiG) and Foresight. The main mission of GO-Science is to support the GCSA in the execution of his duties. SiG is responsible for supervising the management and use of science by the government. It also aids the interaction of the government and the chief scientific advisors and supports reviews of the scientific work of departments. It investigates food safety, civil emergencies, climate change, and other public safety issues. SiG also supports the GCSA in fulfilling his responsibilities as the Head of Science and Engineering in government. Finally, it houses the secretariat for the Council on Science and Technology.

The Foresight division of GO-Science engages in cutting-edge science experiments. It also develops projects to explore future techniques that will meet long-term challenges or create future long-term opportunities. The Foresight unit also houses the Horizon Scanning Centre (HSC). The HSC engages in cross-cutting scans, horizontal scanning projects, and in other projects (such as the Sigma Scan) that seek to explore potential future issues and trends as they develop over time. Of keen interest is the impact on public policy that these possible developments may have in the United Kingdom.

GO-Science and the GSCA support research and innovation issues by the DIUS International Science and Innovation Unit (ISIU). The ISIU in turn supports the GCSA in his role as chair of the Global Science and Innovation Network (GSIF). The GSCA vision is to be a model for excellence in scientific research, contribute to solving major problems, increase the status of scientist, and promote the work of science in Great Britain.

NIDG, under the direction of GO-Science, is seeking the responsible development of nanotechnologies. It seeks to coordinate government activities in a variety of sciences, but most especially in those involving nanotechnology sponsored by the Royal Society of and the Royal Academy of Engineering. The details of this coordinating activity were presented in a report, “Na-noscience and Nanotechnologies: Opportunities and Uncertainties.” Meeting three times a year, NIDG provides a platform for monitoring progress in nanoscience research.

The reports are multiyear reviews of progress. Another responsibility of NIDG is to see that the work of the Nanotechnology Research Coordination Group (NRCG) is integrated with other parts of the nanotechnology research program, and that its developments are integrated with responses to and from the government. It also provides a forum for discussion on nanotechnology. Its member bodies include over two dozen government departments and councils.

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