In an open letter to the research councils reported in THE, Professor John Allen from the SBCS joins other academics in arguing against judging research grant applications on the basis of economic impacts. Collectively, they said: “Their policies on potential impact are ill-advised and should be withdrawn… We urge that the councils find scientific ways of convincing the public and politicians that fostering academic freedom offers by far the best value for taxpayers' money and the highest prospects for economic growth.” Read the full article on the THE website.