STRATEGIC SCIENCE ADVISORY PANEL
REMIT AND SCOPE OF THE SSAP
Background and scope of the current SSAP mechanism
1. SEERAD's strategy for research on agricultural, biological and environmental science Strategic Research for SEERAD: 2005-2010 published in January 2005, announced the intention to set up a Strategic Advisory Panel to "advise on matters of research strategy and policy".
2. Although the specific activities suggested for this panel have developed a little during the setting up of the SSAP, the scope of the panel remains focussed on the research programmes outlined in the Strategy document. It was made clear in that document that the Strategy covered only a part of the science funded by SEERAD and that although the work of the Fisheries Research Service, the Scottish Agricultural Science Agency, the Forestry Commission and the environmental agencies are highly relevant, they are commissioned and managed from elsewhere in the Department. These organisations also have their own mechanisms for external and independent review of their activities and it is important that the SSAP does not duplicate such efforts.
3. Research funded by SEERAD and described in the Programmes outlined in the Strategy document, is primarily strategic and underpinning in nature. It is therefore important for SSAP to undertake a 'foresight' or 'horizon scanning' role. Strategic research set in place today leads to the capability and resources to allow the policy questions of the future to be answered quickly and effectively. As outlined above, there are other mechanisms for advice on the scientific functions of other parts of the SEERAD family, so the SSAP remit is limited to the areas of research contained within the Research Programmes.
Future development of the SSAP
4. In the period since the publication of the Strategy, SEERAD has itself undergone a number of changes. The appointment of a Chief Scientific Adviser (CSA) for SEERAD and the reorganisation of the Department has both brought exciting opportunities to work in a more integrated way across the Department with respect to the evidence base for SEERAD policy development. The CSA has been tasked with integrating the scientific activities across the Department and a paper on this and how it might impact on the SSAP will be discussed with the Panel in due course. However any proposals and their implementation will take time and are unlikely to take full effect within the 2 year span of the current SSAP. It is likely that a successor advisory structure to SSAP may have a wider remit that the current Panel.
SSAP Secretariat
Revised April 2007
SSAP WORKPLAN 2006-07
Introduction
5. The main activities relevant to the SSAP in its 2 year 'task force' duration are:
- Strategy implementation and development and
- Programme horizon scanning.
In carrying forward these tasks, SSAP members will need to take into account information from the research community on the opportunities afforded by scientific advances as well as from the relevant policy community to predict the challenges that lie ahead where science will help to provide solutions.
6. The suggested areas for the SSAP to focus on until December 2007 were influenced by 3 main considerations:
- There is a significant amount of research on the subject within the current programme
- SEERAD has published a strategy/policy document on the policy needs in the area
- The area is likely to be of continuing or growing priority to SEERAD policies in the medium to long term and strategic research will be needed on a continuing basis
7. There is a limited time for the SSAP to cover its remit and the secretariat, in discussion with the Chair and the CSA, felt that it was better to cover a number of selected areas in sufficient depth rather than cover the totality of the SEERAD Research Programmes in less detail.
Background
8. The SRG Research Strategy which was published in January 2005 and committed the Executive to establishing a Strategic Advisory Panel. The Panel will give independent high level advice on SEERAD's research activities in particular the overall structure and balance of the research programmes and whether new Programme Objectives (PO's) or approaches are justified. It will also advise on horizon scanning to inform the future development of research programmes.
9. The Panel will consider and advise on the balance of resources between Programmes and whether new Programme Objectives or approaches are justified. SEERAD will also look to the Panel for advice on how to take forward horizon scanning activities to inform the future development of the work that it funds.
Remit
10. The remit of SSAP is as follows:
- To act as a source of independent advice to SEERAD on the research it funds and the underlying scientific issues.
Terms of Reference
11. The Terms of Reference of the Strategic Advisory Panel will be as follows:
- To provide advice to SEERAD on its policies and strategies for the research it funds within the context of the SEERAD research strategy
- To provide advice on the implementation of the 'Strategic Research for SEERAD 2005-2010'
- To provide advice on the strategic development of the research programme including horizon scanning and foresight
Work Plan
12. The SSAP will be meeting about 6 times until the end of 2007 when appointment of the current membership comes to an end. The issues which the Panel will be addressing during this time will be aimed at:
- Advising the SEERAD Science and Analysis Group (SAG) on the implementation of its Research Strategy (Strategic Research for SEERAD: 2005-2010)
- Considering the resources, facilities, skills and expertise which will be needed by SEERAD to underpin its future research requirements for policy, legislative and regulatory functions
13. To meet these aims, the SSAP will be host to discussions with SEERAD policy interests and related stakeholders in a number of important policy areas. It is expected that such discussions will be able to map out, at a strategic level, the range and types of research resources which SEERAD will need to be able to access in the future, where such resources might be located (Institutes, Universities; in Scotland, the UK or further afield) and the risks if these are not available. This information will be important in SEERAD's planning for its future research Strategy in the period after 2010. Policy areas which are suggested for consideration by December 2007 are:
- Animal Health and Welfare
- Biodiversity and Conservation
- Sustainable Agricultural systems
- Climate Change
14. The SSAP will also be asked to advise on the progress being made with the implementation of the Research Strategy. One meeting will be focusing mainly on this topic (mid 2007) when progress against targets set out in Strategic Research For SEERAD 2005-2010, and reports from the first full year of the Research Programmes will be considered.
May 06
1. Update on progress towards Research Strategy targets
2. Discuss SEERAD's future research needs in support of Animal Health and Welfare Policies
3. Presentations from the Directors of Main Research Providers to familiarise SSAP members with their organisations
4. Agree SSAP Work Plan for 2006-2007
September 06
5. Update on progress towards Research Strategy targets
6. Review of outcomes and conclusions from Animal Health and Welfare discussion
7. Discuss SEERAD's future research needs in the areas of biodiversity and conservation
January 07 - 2 day meeting
8. Update on progress towards Research Strategy targets
9. Review of outcomes and conclusions from discussion on Biodiversity and conservation
10. Discuss Sustainable Agriculture Research including farming systems; crops and livestock issues; environmental impacts
May 07
11. Update on progress towards Research Strategy targets
12. Review of outcomes and conclusions from Sustainable Agriculture discussion
13. Discuss SEERAD's future research needs on Climate Change
14. Discuss SEERAD's future research needs in the area of rural development and contribution to Smart Successful Scotland and Rural Scotland - A New Approach.
September 07
15. Review of progress on Research Strategy targets
16. Review of outcomes and conclusions from discussion on Climate Change
17. Review of outcomes and conclusions from Rural Development discussion
18. Consideration of annual reports from Research Programmes
19. Discussion of the format, outline and content of the SSAP final report - Open Meeting
December 2007
20. Discussion of the SSAP final Report.
SSAP Secretariat
Revised April 2007