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Thanks to the Centre for Science and Policy, a constellation of UK research stars gathered recently at the Royal Society to hear Sir Mark Walport and others ponder ¡°future directions for scientific advice in Whitehall¡±. The government¡¯s new chief scientific adviser addressed a variety of pressing issues such as intellectual property, innovation and the economy (¡°Scientific growth areas¡±, News in brief, 25 April).

Nonetheless, what struck me most at the conference was not the audit of intellectual property or the premier league of academics present. Rather, I was increasingly impressed by the human capital represented by all the younger scientists helping out with the event, including research fellows from universities and practitioner-researchers from high-tech businesses.

For this grey-haired population scientist, the key lesson, if the knowledge economy ¡°goes for growth¡±, is simple: look after the postdocs!

Woody Caan
Professorial fellow
Royal Society for Public Health