The Fruits of Curiosity. The Royal Society to Examine the Long-Term Prospects for UK Science and Innovation. (April 3, 2009)

In an initiative reminiscent of the US National Academies 2005 Rising Above the Gathering Storm the Royal Society of London is to launch an eleven-month "enquiry into the role that science will play in equipping Britain to meet the economic, social and environmental challenges of the next fifty years".

Sir Martin Taylor, Vice-President of the Royal Society, said: "We have to seize this opportunity to reshape our economy, based on science and innovation... Our study will lay the foundations for a new approach to science, innovation and the creation of wealth. We are particularly keen to explore how policies for science and innovation can be better aligned with the transition to a low-carbon economy."

Professor Taylor noted that: "Today, the economic storm that confronts the UK and other nations is different to that envisaged by the Gathering Storm report, but the need for vision, leadership and rigorous analysis from the scientific and research community has never been greater," while the President of the Royal Society, Martin Rees added: "We can't predict the 21^st century counterparts of quantum theory, the double helix and the computer nor where the great innovators of the future will get their formative training and inspiration. But one thing seems certain: unless we get smarter, we'll get poorer. Our relative standing will sink unless some of the key creative ideas of the 21^st century germinate and are exploited here in the UK."

According to the RS announcement, the Fruits of Curiosity report will be published in March 2010 during the 350^th Anniversary of the founding of the Royal Society: "While celebrating the vision of its founders in 1660, the Society wants to reaffirm the vital contribution that science has and continues to make to wealth creation, social progress and environmental sustainability."