URSI UK Panel (September 2023 - August 2026)

The UK has always played a prominent part in URSI. In the past, such great scientists as Sir Edward Appleton had a significant influence on the shaping of URSI.

The UK Panel for URSI was established in 1990 as the successor to the British National Committee for Radio Science.

The aims of the UK Panel for URSI are:

• to liaise with URSI;
• to encourage and support radio science activities in the UK, either jointly with other bodies or separately;
• to ensure the maximum participation by UK scientists in relevant activities of URSI;
• to inform URSI of UK views and plans on subjects of relevance to radio science.

The Panel membership consists of an Honorary Chairman, an Honorary Secretary, national representatives of the ten Scientific Commissions, representatives of UK agencies associated with radio science and any UK scientists who are current URSI Office holders.

The Panel meets formally twice a triennium (when expenses are paid by The Royal Society) and informally once a year at the annual national radio science colloquium.

The activities of the Panel include:

• appointing national representatives to the scientific commissions;
• arranging the National Radio Science Colloquium which is normally held annually. This is a lowcost colloquium held at a university with the intention of providing a venue for young scientists to both give presentations and to be exposed to a wider range of radio science topics than the normal conference or workshop;
• informally coordinate activities in radio science and being aware of issues and trends affecting radio science;
• acting as an interface with international URSI activities;
• proposing the position to be taken by the UK representative on issues to be decided at the URSI Council which meets at the General Assembly;
• encouraging and promoting UK scientists to be URSI Office holders both of the Board of Officers and Chairs of Commissions;
• preparing for a General Assembly by encouraging UK participation in the scientific programme, prioritising UK applications for young scientist awards, nominating candidates for URSI Medals and assisting in the assessment of applications for travel grants.