The Scottish Science Advisory Committee (SSAC) is a body providing independent advice and recommendations on science strategy, policy and priorities to the Scottish Government's Chief Scientific Adviser for Scotland (CSA). It is a broadly-based group, including both practitioners and users of scientific innovation.
The terms of reference for the Scottish Science Advisory Committee are to:
Advise the Scottish Government's Chief Scientific Adviser on a broad range of scientific issues and science-related policies that will grow our economy and raise our quality of life and will further enhance Scotland as a science nation.
Background
Following the publication of " A Science Strategy for Scotland" the Scottish Science Advisory Committee (SSAC) was created as an independent advisory Committee in 2002. The Committee was established under the auspices of the Royal Society of Edinburgh(RSE), to provide advice to Scottish Government Ministers on strategic scientific issues, including science strategy, science policy and science priorities.
Professor Wilson Sibbett, Wardlaw Professor of Physics at the University of St Andrews, Chaired the Committee until 31 December 2006. During this period the Committee produced a number of helpful reports on various aspects of science strategy and science education and more recently on more specific opportunities for the science base in Scotland, including E-health, Medical Imaging, Energy and Animal Bioscience.
Following the appointment of Professor Anne Glover, FRSE, FAAM as the Government's Chief Scientific Adviser (CSA), the SSAC moved from the RSE to the Office of the Chief Scientific Adviser (OCSA) within the Scottish Government on 1 January 2007 when the CSA took up the position of Chair of the SSAC. The RSE no longer has any responsibilities for the Committee.
During 2007 SSAC was in a transition phase while the Chief Scientific Adviser reviewed the arrangements for the future of the Committee. In August 2007 Ministers approved the plans for the new arrangements of the Scottish Science Advisory Committee - to re-establish it as a semi-formal advisory body of experts from the science community reporting to the CSA in the first instance.
The SSAC recently appointed 8 new Committee, members. The new appointments will refresh the SSAC membership, replacing members who stepped down at the end of 2007.
The SSAC will continue to provide the Scottish Government with independent advice on science and the opportunities for Scotland's economy and society. The arrangements for SSAC have been revised to link them in better to the needs of the Scottish Government.
The SSAC is co-chaired by Professor Anne Glover, the Chief Scientific Adviser to the Scottish Government, and Dr Stuart Monro, the independent co-chair, and will be supported by staff in the Office of the Chief Scientific Adviser (OCSA).
A copy of the minutes from previous SSAC meetings can be accessed below:
If you would like any further details on the Scottish Science Advisory Committee please contact:
SSAC Secretariat
Room 1N:01
St Andrews House
Regent Road
Edinburgh
EH1 3DG
Telephone: 0131 244 3252
scottishscience@scotland.gsi.gov.uk