Worldwide Demonstration for Scientific Progress
London Celebrates Science: Thousands March for Evidence-Based Policy
On April 22, 2017, over 10,000 people gathered in London for the #MarchforScience, joining a global movement to support evidence-based science and its role in policy, education, and society. The London march was part of a series of rallies held worldwide, aiming to defend scientific research and expertise in the face of political actions perceived as undermining scientific facts and funding.
The march, which passed key institutions such as the Royal Society and culminated at Parliament Square, highlighted the need for policies grounded in scientific evidence and the societal benefits of science. A diverse coalition of scientists, educators, students, and supporters participated, demonstrating the unity and importance of the scientific community.
The London march was filled with fun, curiosity, enthusiasm, and a huge range of people, according to tweets from science communicator Helen Czerski. Key themes included supporting climate science, promoting open and ethical scientific practices, and encouraging public engagement with science.
Some notable attendees included Robin Ince, a comedian and Infinite Monkey Cage presenter, Jon Butterworth, a science communicator, and Peter Capaldi, a Dr Who star. Roger Highfield, an author and executive at the Science Museum, wrote a blog outlining the importance of science, while Czerski also penned down her experiences of the lovely celebration of science.
Parallel marches for science took place in Manchester, Bristol, Cardiff, and Edinburgh, further amplifying the message of the London march. The organizers of the London march expressed their gratitude to the attendees for their participation. The marchers chanted, "What do we want? Evidence-based policy. When do we want it? After peer review."
The #MarchforScience movement started in Washington DC and has since spawned over 600 marches worldwide. The goals and highlights emphasised confronting challenges to scientific integrity and fostering a science-literate society. The London science march was a significant event in the global March for Science movement, advocating for science in public policy and education.
- In addition to the London march, similar events were held in various cities, such as Manchester, Bristol, Cardiff, and Edinburgh, promoting a unified message encouraging evidence-based science in health-and-wellness, fitness-and-exercise, mental-health, education-and-self-development, and personal-growth.
- The march's emphasis on fostering public engagement with science extends beyond the realm of academia, reaching social-media platforms and wider entertainment, including pop-culture and science-themed shows like Infinite Monkey Cage and Dr Who.
- Recognizing the effectiveness of science in sports, athletes and coaches may benefit from skills-training programs grounded in empirical research, as a means to optimize performance, ensure player safety, and prevent injuries.
- With a strong foundation in science, career-development opportunities may open up, as professionals seek to apply evidence-based practices in their respective fields, leading to innovative solutions for global problems and improvements in quality of life.
- Education systems could foster a culture of lifelong learning by emphasizing the importance of interdisciplinary collaboration, problem-solving, critical thinking, and the application of scientific principles and methods to various aspects of life.
- As the March for Science continues to advocate for evidence-based policy, it is crucial to acknowledge and celebrate the pivotal role of science in society, bridging the gap between experts and the general public, and promoting a science-literate society that prioritizes evidence and reason above opinion and bias.
