On Wednesday 18 June, the British Society for Immunology (BSI) was proud to attend Parliamentary Links Day 2025 at Portcullis House, Westminster. Organised annually by the Royal Society of Biology (RSB) on behalf of the UK’s science and technology community, Links Day is the largest science event in Parliament’s calendar. It offers a rare and valuable opportunity to bring together MPs, peers, scientists, learned societies, and policy professionals to champion the role of science in public life — and this year’s event did not disappoint.
The format for 2025 featured a dynamic 'drop-in' structure, making space for conversation and networking alongside a set of powerful speeches. Attendees heard from RSB Chief Executive Dr Mark Downs, keynote speaker and physicist Dr Jess Wade, and Dame Chi Onwurah MP, who chairs the Science, Innovation and Technology Select Committee. Although this year did not have a specific theme, each spoke passionately about creating a scientific ecosystem built for a sustainable and secure future.
Dr Jess Wade delivered a compelling keynote that cut through jargon to connect policy, research, and inclusion. She addressed a wide range of issues, from building an accessible quantum infrastructure fitting for the needs of the industry to the urgent need for equitable access to STEM education and careers. Her advocacy for a more diverse, better-funded scientific community resonated deeply, highlighting how inclusion isn't just a moral imperative but a strategic one for national progress.
A number of MPs and parliamentarians were in attendance throughout the day, including Dame Chi Onwurah, Ben Goldsborough, Jeff Smith, Josh MacAlister, Gurinder, Singh Josan, Scott Arthur, Dan Tomlinson, Sarah Hall, Tony Vaughan & Afzal khan. Staff representatives from the offices of Juliet Campbell, Rachel Blake, Tulip Siddiq, Torsten Bell also participated, along with committee members such as Kate Anderson from the Science and Technology Committee. We were also pleased to see Lords including Viscount Stansgate and Lord Rooker join the discussion.
The BSI was well represented this year, with a delegation that included CEO Doug Brown, Director of External Affairs Jennie Evans, and Intern Hannah Tompkins, alongside three members of our Member Representative Forum: George Robinson and Hannah Bradford (Early Career Representatives) and Chidi Ubachukwu (PhD Representative). These individuals brought crucial perspectives from across our membership and were instrumental in representing the voice of immunology to policymakers.
A particular highlight for us was the opportunity to speak directly with MPs about the essential role immunology plays in tackling current and future health challenges. Immunological research is not only foundational to human and animal health, but also vital to the UK’s life sciences sector, economic resilience, and pandemic preparedness. We engaged in productive conversations about how Parliament can support the continued growth of the field of immunology through funding, training, and long-term policy vision.
For me personally, one of the standout moments of the day was hearing Dame Chi Onwurah MP speak — not just because of her position at the forefront of UK science policy, but also because, as a fellow Geordie, her remarks carried a special resonance. Her call for evidence-based policymaking and investment in data infrastructure was particularly timely with the recent announcement of the new industrial strategy.
I was also thrilled to meet my local MP, Jeff Smith, who I invited to the event. His genuine interest in immunology and the work of the BSI was encouraging. Conversations like these are at the heart of what makes Links Day so valuable — it’s about building bridges between research and representation, so that science policy in the UK is informed by those at the cutting edge of discovery.
Overall, Parliamentary Links Day 2025 was an inspiring and energising experience. It reminded me of the power of direct engagement in shaping national priorities, and the vital role societies like the BSI can play in making the case for science. We're committed to continuing this dialogue and ensuring that immunology is central to conversations about the UK’s scientific and societal future.
By Dr Hannah Tompkins
External Affairs Intern
Organisations in attendance:
Royal Society of Biology, Anatomical Society, Applied Microbiology International, Association of Applied Biologists, Biochemical Society, British Ecological Society, British Pharmacological Society, British Society for Immunology, The Council for the Mathematical Sciences, The Genetics Society, The Geological Society, Institute of Physics, Royal Society of Chemistry, Society for Experimental Biology, The Society for Radiological Protection.