Next year marks the 350th anniversary of the foundation of the Royal Society – surely something for scientists everywhere to celebrate. As part of the festivities, a one-day conference will be held to discuss the future of science. Called ’Tomorrow’s Giants’, it will bring together scientists and policy makers to help shape the future direction of science in the UK and beyond. And they want input from all of us.

Following a series of workshops around the UK, the RS will now post questions to the Tomorrow’s Giants forum for feedback. Any bright ideas or opinions might be raised at the conference and reach the ears of the bigwigs who oil the wheels of research output in this country. So please, please, please take a look at their forum and let’s get some discussion going.

To kick off, here are two questions needing opinion:

1) Should there be more formal mechanisms to encourage mentoring and does anyone have good examples of how a mentor has helped them to develop their career?

2) What are your views on how to balance data protection versus accessibility?