Researchers connect with policy makers and advisers at Evidence Week in Parliament

Researchers from the University of Plymouth and Plymouth Marine Laboratory (PML) engaged directly with policy makers around one of the key environmental challenges facing modern society during Evidence Week in Parliament.

Supported by the University’s Marine Institute, Dr Thomas Davies and Professor Tim Smyth spoke to parliamentarians – including Lord Vallance, Minister of State for Science, Research and Innovation, and Luke Pollard MP, the MP for Plymouth Sutton and Devonport – about their pioneering work exploring the effects of marine light pollution.

Since Dr Davies led the first study on the topic a decade ago, he and Professor Smyth have led studies demonstrating the many and varied impacts of artificial light at night (ALAN).

Their work led to the establishment of the Global Ocean Artificial Light at Night Network (GOALANN), which in January 2025 was endorsed by the United Nations as one of its new Ocean Decade Actions.

Hosted by Sense about Science and the Parliamentary Office of Science and Technology (POST), Evidence Week brings together the public, researchers and parliamentarians to discuss how evidence is used and scrutinised at Westminster.

It empowers legislators to engage with evidence and equips them and their staff with critical skills, including tools to handle uncertainty, identify bias, and scrutinise underlying assumptions.