Scientist shadow joins local MP in Parliament

5.00.00pm GMT Fri 27th Nov 2009

Bristol University vulcanologist Alison Rust joined local MP Stephen Williams in Parliament this week. Dr. Rust and Stephen Williams will shadow each other for the next year as part of the Royal Society MP scientist shadowing scheme. Stephen has taken part in this scheme since his election to Parliament and Alison is his 5th shadow.

Dr. Rust said "There isn't a large presence of scientists who are also politicians. You can see that with the Nutt affair. This is about getting a mutual understanding of how each group works." This years scheme has started in the wake of the dismissal of Government advisor on drugs policy, Professor David Nutt, a Psycho-pharmacologist at Bristol University.

Stephen says "I find these pairings extremely useful both as the local MP with two large universities and for my national role as Liberal Democrat Shadow Secretary for Innovation, Universities and Skills."

Arenal Volcano of Costa Rica

While in Parliament Dr. Rust attended a hearing of the House of Commons Science and Technology select committee and also observed Prime Minister's Question Time. Over the next year she will join Stephen Williams on various Bristol West engagements and Stephen will spend time with her in Bristol University's Department of Earth Sciences.