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The Reith Lectures

Significant international thinkers deliver the BBC's flagship annual lecture series.

The Reith Lectures: Edward Appleton - Science and the Nation: Government and Science

02/12/1956

Government and Science

Edward Appleton - Science and the Nation

BBC Radio 4 - The Reith Lectures, Edward Appleton - Science and the Nation, Government and Science

Professor Edward Appleton considers the UK government's use of applied science.

Professor Edward Appleton considers the UK government's use of applied science in his fourth Reith lecture.

This year's Reith Lecturer is the Principal and Vice-Chancellor of the University of Edinburgh Sir Edward Appleton. From 1939 to 1949 he was Secretary of the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research, and in 1947 he was awarded the Nobel Prize in Physics for his contributions to the knowledge of the ionosphere, which led to the development of radar. In his Reith series entitled 'Science and the Nation', he considers the importance of science. 

In his fourth lecture entitled 'Government and Science', Professor Appleton considers the uses of applied science. He explores the British government's support of applied sciences for its own needs, and for the general benefit of industry. He analyses how this dependency influences government policy.

The Reith Lectures: Edward Appleton - Science and the Nation

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Intelligent speech, the most insightful journalism, the wittiest comedy, the most fascinating features and the most compelling drama and readings anywhere in UK radio.

Physicist and Nobel-prize winner Edward Appleton examines scientific activity in Britain.

The British physicist and Nobel-prize winner Sir Edward Appleton delivers six Reith lectures on the many facets of scientific activity in Britain.

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