The Scottish Government

STRATEGIC SCIENCE ADVISORY PANEL

SUBJECT: STRATEGIC RESEARCH FOR SEERAD 2005-2010: ENVIRONMENT, BIOLOGY AND AGRICULTURE: SECOND ANNUAL REPORT: JANUARY-DECEMBER 2006

MEETING: 15&16 JANUARY 2007

SUMMARY

This paper sets out:

• The progress made by the Science and Analysis Group on the Strategy's implementation from January to December 2006

ACTION

The panel members are invited to:

• Note and discuss the paper outlining the progress made by the Science and Analysis Group on the Strategy's implementation from January to December 2006

Dr Linda Saunderson will be happy to answer any questions on the issues contained in this paper

Science & Analysis Group

December 2006

'STRATEGIC RESEARCH FOR SEERAD 2005-2010: ENVIRONMENT, BIOLOGY AND AGRICULTURE' SECOND ANNUAL REPORT: JANUARY-DECEMBER 2006

INTRODUCTION

1. The Science and Research Group (now part of the Science and Analysis Group) published its new Research Strategy, 'Strategic Research for SEERAD 2005-2010, Environment, Biology and Agriculture' in January 2005. This is the second Annual Report on the progress made by the Science and Analysis Group on the Strategy's implementation from January to December 2006 and highlights the progress made in the second year of the Strategy by the Science and Analysis Group in achieving its targets. Background to the Strategy and progress in the first year of its implementation was set out in the first Annual Report (available at www.scotland.gov.uk/srg)

PROGRESS AGAINST THE TARGETS

TARGET: By 2010: improve quality and relevance of scientific research procured by SEERAD Science and Research Group.

2. The Strategy set out a new approach to the way SEERAD commissions its research. From April 2006 research has been commissioned as Programmes of Research focusing on the areas of policy priority to SEERAD as set out in the first Annual Report.

3. Within each Programme research has been commissioned through a series of 22 Work Packages (list attached at Annex 1). 19 of the Work Packages were commissioned on 1 April 2006. The remaining 3 work packages needed further dialogue and development before full commissioning could take place. The 3 revised Work Packages were resubmitted by the Main Research Providers and were again subject to peer review. These have now been finalised and commissioned.

4. Programme Groups for each of the 4 Programmes have now been set up and all have now met at least twice and have agreed their terms of reference.

Progress summary:

• 19 Work Packages commissioned 1 April 2006
• Work Packages 1.7, 3.1 and 3.5 re-submitted and commissioned November/December 2006
• Programme Groups for all 4 Programmes of research have now been set up and are currently considering their terms of reference

TARGET: By 2010: the proportion of SEERAD SRG funded research which is classified as policy relevant will increase to at least 75% of the total.

5. The Strategy set out the need for the research funded by SRG to be strategically relevant to Ministers' policy, legislative and enforcement functions. The 22 new Work Packages have now been commissioned and it is anticipated that the target of 75% policy relevance will be achieved.

6. Funding for the Hannah Institute ceased from 31 March 2006. SEERAD is providing transitional funding of £2m per annum for 2006-09 principally to allow the basic research elements of the HRI science to transfer to the University sector. This is enabling the scientists to develop their research in a more appropriate setting and attract other research funders. 18 former HRI staff took up appointments at Strathclyde and Glasgow Caledonian Universities on 1 April 2006 using transitional funding. One scientist transferred to the Rowett Research Institute.

7. The SSAP have had a number of discussions at their meetings in 2007 about policy relevance in general and also about research facilities and resources that need to be supported by the Department on an ongoing basis in order to meet policy needs. The outcomes of these deliberations will be contained in the SSAP's final report which will be published in early 2009.

Progress summary

• Funding for the Hannah Institute ceased in March 2006. A programme of transitional funding for transfer of the science to other research organisations was put in place in April 2006
• The SSAP are considering how to best meet SEERAD's ongoing research needs

TARGET: By 2010: basic research will be less than 10% of the total Programme.

8. The Work Packages commissioned in April 2006 contain work which has been re-orientated towards more output driven and strategically relevant issues. The extent of remaining basic work is unlikely to exceed 10% of the total.

Progress summary

• The WPs now commissioned and level of basic research will be reported once this has been fully assessed.

TARGET: By April 2005: set up the Strategic Science Advisory Panel.

9. The Research Strategy committed the Executive to establishing a Strategic Science Advisory Panel (SSAP). The Panel has now been set up and has met on 4 occasions during 2006. The first meeting of the Panel was held in January with a further 2 meetings held in May and September. The Panel have considered research needs in Animal Health and Welfare and Biodiversity and have discussed a number of strategic issues of relevance to the SEERAD research portfolio.

10. The SSAP draft annual report is currently under consideration by the Panel and will be released early in 2007.

Progress summary

• The SSAP is now established and three meetings have been held in January, May and September 2006
• SSAP members have considered a number of issues including Animal Health and Welfare and Biodiversity research
• The SSAP draft Annual report is currently being considered by the Panel

TARGET: By April 2006: publish system for assessment of SEERAD research programmes and providers with a view to implementation from 2008.

11. A short desk review of the systems in place for the assessment of research undertaken by other funders has been completed during 2006 A consultation paper on the Programme Assessment Exercise (PAE) 2008-2009 setting out the aims, objectives, timetable and processes that will be needed for the major assessment of the SEERAD research programmes has been prepared. The PAE will assess various aspects of the research programmes including Relevance, Quality of Science and, knowledge transfer. The consultation paper will be discussed with the Main Research Providers for comment in the near future. SSAP members will also be asked to comment on this consultation.

TARGET: By 2010: Improve knowledge transfer activities across all research activities.

12. One of the 3 main objectives of the research strategy is to improve knowledge and technology from, and public awareness of, the research and its outputs. During 2006 strategies for KT within all 4 Programmes have been drawn up. These strategies and KT activities have been subjected to peer review analysis and advice on development of these plans have been provided to the MRPs.

13. In addition SRG will continue to use funds from the Contract Research Fund (previously referred to as Flexible Fund) for KT activities, which are not covered by Programme activities, to meet specific policy needs and on an ad hoc basis.

Progress summary

• KT metrics drawn up
• Programme Groups have developed KT strategies and Action Plans
• Specific KT actions being implemented and events have been organised

TARGET: By September 2005: publish end-user engagement and publicity strategies.

14. The development of an end user strategy has been delayed due to lack of time and resources within SRG. A draft publicity strategy has been prepared and is currently under consideration. A meeting with the Publicity Officers from each of the Main Research Providers was held in October 2006 with a further meeting planned early in 2007.

TARGET: By 2010: facilitate greater intellectual and financial critical mass among the MRPs.

15. A study by PriceWaterhouseCoopers was commissioned by SCRI, MLURI, SAC and MRI to examine the issues involved in forming closer links between these 'land based' research providers including the scope and potential to support common activities. PWC examined a variety of relationships ranging from simple joint ventures to full embedding of research activities. The conclusions from this study did not support formation of a single organisation from the existing 4 organisations but set out a number of options that could be considered in order to increase intellectual and financial critical mass.

16. A further consultancy commissioned by SEERAD from Arthur D Little to advise on future research commissioning arrangements reported in December 2005. In addition to welcoming SEERAD's transition from sponsoring individual research organisations to commissioning research programmes that were more closely aligned to SEERAD's policy needs, ADL also emphasised the need for MRPs to consider alternative organisational structures to promote sustainability. In doing so, it recognised that no single solution was likely to apply to all of the MRPs and cited a number of possibilities which are described in the paragraphs below. SEERAD is taking forward the recommendations in the ADL report.

17. The strategy announced the introduction of a stream of funding to set up Centres of Excellence. The contract for the Centre of Excellence has been awarded to a consortium led by Scottish Agricultural College, and involving the Universities of Glasgow and Edinburgh, Macaulay Land Use and Moredun Research Institutes. The project is titled 'Epidemiology, Population health and Infectious disease Control' (EPIC). Funding of £2.5 million over the next 5 years has been awarded to carry out this work which started on 1 October 2006 and will be completed on 30 September 2011.

18. The Centre of Excellence aims to deliver high quality research and advice on the epidemiology of animal diseases that are important to Scotland. Issues such as antibiotic and anthelminthic resistance, pathogen strain variation and wildlife reservoirs will also be addressed.

19. ACES is a collaborative project involving the Macaulay Land Use Research Institute (MLURI) and the University of Aberdeen (UoA). ACES will act as a 'one-stop shop' where policy makers can access scientific (including the social sciences) options to resolve environmental conflicts. A new building to house ACES is being planned as an extension to the MLURI building at an estimated cost of approximately £2.7m for completion in early 2008. SEERAD is making available £930k for this purpose. The post of ACES Director has been advertised but no appointment has yet been made. MLURI and UoA have committed to jointly fund 2 new professorial posts and 4 new lecturer posts

20. EBRC is a proposal to strengthen a cluster of scientific excellence in animal bioscience research amongst 5 institutes near Edinburgh. They are Moredun, SAC, The Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies, the Roslin Institute (BBSRC funded) and the Institute of Animal Health Neuropathogenesis Unit (BBSRC funded). Edinburgh University and BBSRC are the main drivers of this initiative. BBSRC announced in February 2006 a commitment to provide £35m for a new research facility to house researchers from Roslin Institute and Institute for Animal Health Neuropathogenisis Unit. University of Edinburgh also plans to provide funding of £12m towards the new build for staff from the Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies. The facility will bring together expertise in animal bioscience to focus on: infectious disease; reproduction and development; behaviour and welfare; sustainable farm animal production; and biomedicine.

21. In October 2006, the Rowett Research Institute (RRI) and the University of Aberdeen announced plans for a possible merger to establish a centre of excellence in Nutrition and Human Health. Under the plans RRI would become an Institute within the University.

22. From April 2006 MRPs will have up to 10% of their budget to use outwith Programme research. Feedback on how these funds have been spent will be provided annually to the Department from 2007.

Progress summary

• A study undertaken by Arthur D Little Ltd to advise on practicable commissioning models to allow a sustainable move away from sponsorship reported in December 2006 and the recommendation of the report are being taken forward.

• 'Centre of Excellence' research contract commenced on 1 October 2006
• ACES building now planned. Director of ACES to be announced soon
• BBSRC announced commitment of £35 million funding for EBRC Edinburgh University to provide £12 million funding
• Rowett Research Institute and University of Aberdeen announced plans for possible merger
• MRPs will provide feedback on the use of development funding from 2007

TARGET: By April 2010: increase the proportion of SEERAD programmes which align with programmes of other funders and the level of joint funding.

23. Discussions with other Scottish and UK funding bodies which fund research in cognate areas to those supported by SEERAD have been continued/initiated. A number of joint projects and initiatives are already in place and a list of these is provided at Annex 2. Over £2 million per year is awarded by the Scottish Executive with a total of 38 projects being joint funded with other research funders, including Defra, BBSRC, ESRC and SFC, other Government agencies, levy bodies and industry during the financial year 06-07. Discussions with the Scottish Funding Councils, Defra and the Research Councils on funding of areas of common interest are continuing through regular liaison meetings. Depending on the outcome of future Spending Reviews, a number of joint initiatives may be developed.

Annex 1 SEERAD Programmes of Research - diagram

Annex 2