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14 February 2008

Scottish Government taps into new scientific expertise

Fiona Hyslop, Cabinet Secretary for Education and Lifelong Learning, today welcomed the appointment of eight new members to the Scottish Science Advisory Committee (SSAC).

Two University of Dundee professors - Michael Ferguson, Dean of Research for the College of Life Sciences, and Roland Wolf, Director of the Biomedical Research Centre - are among the eight new members

The SSAC is a group of experts from Scotland’s science community who provide the Scottish Government with independent advice on science and the opportunities for Scotland’s economy and society. The new appointments will refresh the SSAC membership, replacing members who stepped down at the end of 2007.

The new SSAC members are:

Professor Alan Bundy, Professor of Automated Reasoning in the School of Informatics, University of Edinburgh

Professor Michael Ferguson CBE, Dean of Research for the College of Life Sciences, University of Dundee

Dr Karen Jervis, Chief Executive Officer of NextGen Bio (UK) Ltd

Professor Jim McDonald, Director of the Institute for Energy and Environment; Deputy Principal of Strathclyde University

Professor Andy Porter, Professor of Biotechnology and Deputy Director of the Institute of Medical Sciences, University of Aberdeen

Ian Ritchie CBE, Non-Executive Chairman of Iomart plc, Scapa, CAS, Casapian Learning and the Interactive Design Institute

Professor Roland Wolf, Director of the Biomedical Research Centre, University of Dundee

Professor Bob Tooze, Managing Director of Sasol Technology UK Ltd

Ms Hyslop said: "I am delighted that such a high calibre group of experts have agreed to join the Scottish Science Advisory Committee. Scotland has an enviable international reputation for scientific innovation with a high number of dedicated and experienced people working across many different disciplines. The SSAC brings together this expertise, giving the Scottish Government access to valuable independent advice on many scientific matters."

Professor Anne Glover, Chief Scientific Adviser to the Scottish Government and Co-Chair of the SSAC, said: "The newly appointed members of the SSAC bring many years of experience from business and academia. They cover a broad range of science expertise including life sciences, computing, the chemicals industry, and energy which will strengthen and complement the expertise of the existing Committee."

NOTES FOR NEWS EDITORS

  1. Appointments to the SSAC, which do not receive any remuneration, are made for a three year period renewable for a further two. The appointments were made following a public advertisement and selection was by a panel chaired by Professor Glover, which also included representatives of the Royal Society of Edinburgh and the Confederation of British Industry Scotland. All appointments are made on merit and in order to achieve a balance across the scientific community.
  2. The SSAC is not a formal public advisory body, and there are no legal requirements in connection with the manner appointments are made or the way its conducts its business. However the arrangements for the SSAC draw strongly on the original Nolan recommendations in connection with appointments to public bodies. Thus appointees’ political activity (if there is any to be declared) will be made public. None of the new committee members has been involved in any political activity in the last five years.
  3. The SSAC was established under the previous administration’s Science Strategy in 2002 and initially managed by the Royal Society of Edinburgh. Following the appointment of Professor Anne Glover as the Government’s Chief Scientific Adviser, responsibility for the SSAC was transferred to the Office of the Chief Scientific Adviser on 1 January 2007.
  4. The remit of the SSAC is to provide independent advice and recommendations on science strategy, policy and priorities. As experts close to the cutting-edge of developments, they will provide advice on the economic and wider opportunities arising from science and technology, and also on the impact of new scientific thought.
  5. The SSAC comprises 19 members (8 new and 11 existing). Seven members stepped down at the end of 2007 having served on SSAC for several years. In addition to Professor Anne Glover (SSAC Co-Chair), 10 existing members are remaining on the committee for a further 2 years. These are:
    • Dr Stuart Monro OBE, Scientific Director, Our Dynamic Earth (SSAC Independent Co-Chair)
    • Professor Steve Beaumont OBE, Vice Principal, University of Glasgow
    • Professor Sir Kenneth Calman KCB, Chancellor, University of Glasgow
    • Professor Julie Fitzpatrick, Chief Executive, Moredun Research Institute
    • Professor Peter Morgan, Director, Rowett Research Institute
    • Professor Stuart Reid, Dean of the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Glasgow
    • Dr Barbara Spruce, Senior Lecturer, University of Dundee
    • Professor Joyce Tait CBE, Scientific Adviser, Innogen, University of Edinburgh
    • Professor Chris van der Kuyl, Chief Executive, ScotlandOnline
    • Eur Ing Graham Wren, Managing Director, GSE Systems Limited

Contact: Tom Whittles, 0131 244 2530
Internet: www.scotland.gov.uk


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