Question to the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology:

To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, whether her Department is responsible for science centres; and whether she plans to allocate responsibility for science centres to a specific Minister.

Science and Discovery Centres have an important role in engaging the public, with science and in inspiring young people, particularly those from underrepresented groups, to consider STEM studies and related careers. While some centres do carry out some research in addition to their informal science learning activities their primary role is as visitor centres focused on science as a part of the UK’s culture.

The department and partners such as UKRI have previously provided support for programmes managed by science centres that met the department’s goals but as institutions, their support does not fall within DSIT’s remit.

We want to work with DCMS on a coordinated approach around recognition of science centres as an important part of the UK’s cultural and science engagement ecosystem.