Avatar photo

Robin Grimes

Former FCO Chief Scientific Adviser

Part of

Global Science and Innovation Network

7th August 2018 London, UK

Avatar photo

by Robin Grimes

Former FCO Chief Scientific Adviser

Does sex make you smarter?

As a blog title this is shamefully attention grabbing. But you are now reading. Actually this is my last blog as Chief Scientific Adviser (CSA) and I want to briefly review my five and a half years with the Foreign and Commonwealth Office. But honestly, the title is relevant as you will see if you […]

Read more on Does sex make you smarter? | Reply

26th January 2018 London, UK

Avatar photo

by Robin Grimes

Former FCO Chief Scientific Adviser

UK – Russia Year of Science and Education: A year older, a year wiser

Last month Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson visited Moscow for talks with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov. Whilst media reporting of the visit focused on our bilateral political relationship and what we are doing to solve together the world’s most pressing global challenges, science and education were also among the topics discussed during the visit. Both […]

Read more on UK – Russia Year of Science and Education: A year older, a year wiser | Reply

14th July 2017 London, UK

Avatar photo

by Robin Grimes

Former FCO Chief Scientific Adviser

How science diplomacy matters to UK-Russia Relations

The UK-Russia Year of Science and Education – 2017 (YoSE) is already proving a useful bridge for people to people contacts at a time of challenging political relations. First, the Year’s programme reflects the breadth of science that Russia and the UK are involved in. But, we also aim to understand more general issues such […]

Read more on How science diplomacy matters to UK-Russia Relations | Reply

10th February 2017 London, UK

Avatar photo

by Robin Grimes

Former FCO Chief Scientific Adviser

UK – Russia Year of Science and Education: the beginning of a beautiful relationship?

At the end of the classic film Casablanca, Rick says to the Chief of Police “I think this is the beginning of a beautiful friendship”. So, as we embark upon a year of UK – Russia Science and (science) Education events, what do we expect our scientific relationship to look like 12 months from now? […]

Read more on UK – Russia Year of Science and Education: the beginning of a beautiful relationship? | Reply (2)

16th November 2016 London, UK

Avatar photo

by Robin Grimes

Former FCO Chief Scientific Adviser

Edging forward with the UK-Japan nuclear dialogue

The UK and Japan share certain characteristics. They are both proud island nations with a strong seafaring tradition.  Their citizens are often considered somewhat reserved by others but are well known to enjoy the shared experience of team sports. Importantly for us, there has been a long tradition of seeking excellence in science and technology […]

Read more on Edging forward with the UK-Japan nuclear dialogue | Reply (1)

30th August 2016 London, UK

Avatar photo

by Robin Grimes

Former FCO Chief Scientific Adviser

Athletes go gold at Rio … but gold doesn’t react!

The UK’s recent success at the Olympics showed how working collectively as a team, we can achieve greatness, despite being a relatively small nation.  In Government, we understand that used carefully, sporting prowess can be a source of soft power for the UK, as are many other sectors of which we are proud: fashion, film […]

Read more on Athletes go gold at Rio … but gold doesn’t react! | Reply