Review of the UK National Stem Cell Network
Review background
The UK National Stem Cell Network (UKNSCN) was established to fulfil recommendation 10 of the 2005 report of the UK Stem Cell Initiative:
‘The Government should allocate additional funding to establish The UK Stem Cell Cooperative, to maximise the cross-fertilisation between those involved in the sub-disciplines of UK stem cell research.’
The objectives of the UKNSCN were established at a meeting of the UK stem cell community in 2006. They can be categorised as:
- ‘networking’ objectives that looked to encourage interaction between different groups in the stem cell field, and to facilitate the flow of information; and
- ‘influencing’ objectives to provide a voice for the stem cell community to the public, media, and policy makers.
At the time of the review, the UKNSCN was funded by a consortium of Research Councils, and hosted by Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC). The steering committee included prominent researchers in different areas of stem cell science, as well as an industry representative and a social scientist. One full-time co-ordinator provided the secretariat to the committee.
Review methodology
A review after two years was planned for at the UKNSCN’s inception. PSP was commissioned to undertake the review in July 2008. The key areas we explored were:
- the need in the stem cell community for the UKNSCN;
- the UKNSCN’s performance in discharging its roles; and
- the most appropriate way for the UKNSCN to develop in future.
Evidence was gathered from written documentation provided by the UKNSCN, 37 face to face and telephone interviews with a wide range of stakeholders, and 362 submissions from members of the stem cell community to an online questionnaire.
Click here to access the full report.