b'Member News July 2022 21Policy and insightProviding robust informationto influence government policy Our member-led panels deliver thought leadership to informand influence policymakers on a variety of engineering and technology issues through expert guidance and consultations.We seek to develop best practice, provide robust, impartial information to key stakeholders and influence government policy. Below are some of our collaborations to advance engineering and technology for the benefit of our present and future society.Delivering a UK science and technology strategyWe responded to an inquiry by the House of Lords Science and Technology Committee into delivering a UK science strategy.Safeguarding the metaverse The UK has a very strong, competitiveOur new research predicts children of science base; however, it can improve itstomorrow will spend approximately capabilities in technology and translation.10 years in virtual reality (VR) A range of interconnecting policies areover the course of their lifetimekey to supporting a strong science sector,approximately 2 hours 45 minutes including support for the development ofper day. However, almost two thirds STEM skills, levelling up local areas andIET India disease surveillance project of parents say they dont currently supporting international collaboration. IET India is leading a disease surveillanceunderstand the metaverse, and the same number didnt feel confident project in partnership with the Centre forthat they could accurately describe Health Research and Innovation (CHRI) asthis immersive virtual community.part of a funded CSR project by Siemens Healthineers India.Our new report, Safeguarding the The research will use publicly availablemetaverse, is a guide to existing and non-personal data to improve thefuture harms in virtual reality and the preparedness of Indias public healthmetaverse to support UK immersive infrastructure for disease outbreaks.technology policymaking. We call on politicians and policy makers to ensure The aim is to analyse trends using keyword- comprehensive measures for regulating led hypothesis, develop a prediction modelthe metaverse. Actions including for a specific geography and present thefutureproofing the Online Safety Bill, model to the Government of India to beencouraging a positive, healthy metaverse adopted as part of the Indian Ministry ofculture and fast-tracking immersive Health and Family Welfares Integratedliteracy in policy makers, regulators and Disease Surveillance Programme. politicians will be crucial. We recommend that the strategy mustLearn more about our project atDownload our guide atthink of the whole system, including education, local policies and foreignhttps://bit.ly/3LgDPQW https://bit.ly/3leGxf4affairs. The Government should support global companies to remain based andExpert volunteers neededgrow in the UK. Policies should favour collaboration, international cooperationWe are looking for volunteers to help us develop policy and industry guidance for and networking between researchers. engineering and technology communities in Scotland and Northern Ireland. Join our working groups on sustainability and resilience, or skills and apprenticeships, and Read our full consultation develop your own professional networks and knowledge too. at https://bit.ly/3ldEQ1nFor more details, please contact sep@theiet.org'