re>SEARCH: issue four MARCH 2002
EDITORIAL
Welcome to the 4th edition of re>SEARCH. Since the publication of the 3rd edition in September 2001 there have been organisational changes in the Agricultural and Biological Research Group (ABRG). I would like to focus on the new Research Management Unit (RMU) within ABRG's new structure.
ABRG is part of the Scottish Executive Environment and Rural Affairs Department (SEERAD). It is headed by Dr Andrew Rushworth, and organised into 3 units:
- Research Management Unit - which I lead.
- Policy and Co-ordination Unit (PCU) - led by Dr Linda Saunderson
- Sponsorship Unit (SPU) - led by Mr Norman Harvey.
RMU has a key scientific advisory role. Our main activities outwith ABRG include working with policy divisions in SEERAD, extensive scientific liaison with the sponsored bodies and with other UK funders of biological and environmental research, and management of research projects funded by ABRG. Within ABRG RMU interacts extensively with both PCU and SPU on a wide range of issues including core grant-in-aid programmes, the Flexible Fund portfolio, Corporate and Business Plans, and advising on scientific aspects to ensure effective implementation of SEERAD's research strategy.
There is a breadth of scientific expertise within the Unit. For example, as well as heading RMU, I cover the Soil & Environmental Sciences and lead liaison with the Macaulay Institute, Scottish Agricultural College (SAC) and Biomathematics and Statistics Scotland (BioSS). My Scientific Adviser colleagues' responsibilities are as follows:
- Dr Rosi Waterhouse - Plant Science and biodiversity. Liaison with Scottish Crop Research Institute (SCRI) and Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh (RBGE).
- Dr Nick Ambrose - Animal Disease, Behaviour & Welfare, land use and farming systems. Liaison with Moredun Research Institute (MRI).
- Dr Sarah Gledhill - Animal Physiology & Product Quality and socio-economics. Liaison with Rowett Research Institute (RRI) and Hannah Research Institute (HRI).
Dr Helen Jones, Dr Lucy Smith, Dr Beverley Williams, Angela Robinson and Valerie Purves support us. If you would like to contact the Research Management Unit, please write, orTel: 0131 244 5230, email: angela.robinson@scotland.gsi.gov.uk .
Dr John Hooker
Head of Research Management Unit