Genomics Forumin partnership with the OECD

About us

Edinburgh castleESRC Genomics Policy and Research Forum

Established in 2004 and based at University of Edinburgh , the ESRC Genomics Forum pioneers new ways to promote and communicate social research on contemporary life science and ensures that research from the ESRC Genomics Network (EGN) informs policy, scientific practice and public debate.

Led by Professor Steve Yearley and Dr Steve Sturdy, the Genomics Forum runs a programme of national and international activities including conferences, specialist short courses, workshops, seminars, public lectures and artist and writer in residence programmes. We take an active role in relevant science, book and film festivals as well as other public engagement activities, and have a successful visiting fellows and interns scheme.

As stated, the Forum is part of the ESRC Genomics Network a £25 million investment by the Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC) dedicated to examining the development and use of the science and technologies of genomics. The activities of the EGN encompass the whole field of genomics, covering areas as diverse as DNA profiling and identity politics, plant and animal genetics, personal genomics, embryonic stem cell research, and synthetic biology.
 
The EGN spans five of the UK's leading universities, and involves over a hundred researchers, from professors to PhD students, as well as an international cast of visiting research fellows. It is one of the biggest social science investments in the ESRC's current portfolio, and has grown into the largest concentration for the social scientific research on genomics in the world.

Eiffel towerOECD

Mission
OECD brings together the governments of countries committed to democracy and the market economy from around the world to:     

  • Support sustainable economic growth
  • Boost employment
  • Raise living standards
  • Maintain financial stability
  • Assist other countries' economic development
  • Contribute to growth in world trade
The Organisation provides a setting where governments compare policy experiences, seek answers to common problems, identify good practice and coordinate domestic and international policies.

Enlargement and enhanced engagement
OECD also shares expertise and exchanges views with more than 100 other countries.

In May 2007, OECD countries agreed to invite Chile, Estonia, Israel, Russia and Slovenia to open discussions for membership of the Organisation and offered enhanced engagement to Brazil, China, India, Indonesia and South Africa. While enhanced engagement is distinct from accession to the OECD, it has the potential in the future to lead to membership. The approval of so-called "road maps" marked the start of accession talks with Chile, Estonia, Israel, Russia and Slovenia.  Chile became a member of the Organisation on 7 May 2010.  On 10 May 2010, the OECD invited Estonia, Israel and Slovenia to become members of the OECD. Each country’s membership will become official once necessary formalities, including parliamentary approval, have been completed.

Monitoring, analysing and forecasting
For more than 40 years, OECD has been one of the world's largest and most reliable sources of comparable statistics and economic and social data. As well as collecting data, OECD monitors trends, analyses and forecasts economic developments and researches social changes or evolving patterns in trade, environment, agriculture, technology, taxation and more.

Publishing
OECD is one of the world’s largest publishers in the fields of economics and public policy. OECD publications are a prime vehicle for disseminating the Organisation's intellectual output, both on paper and online.  Publications are available through OLIS for government officials, through SourceOECD for researchers and students in institutions subscribed to our online library, and through the OECD Online Bookshop for individuals who wish to browse titles free-of-charge.