Some of the country's leading scientists are among the members of Scotland's first Science Advisory Committee announced today.
The independent panel of experts which includes business, education and ethical interests, will offer guidance to the Executive on key areas where science impacts on policy as well as on developments within the science community.
The appointments to the Scottish Science Advisory Committee (SSAC) made by The Royal Society of Edinburgh cover the spectrum of scientific expertise. The committee will be chaired by Professor Wilson Sibbett of St Andrews University.
Minister for Enterprise, Transport and Lifelong Learning Wendy Alexander said:
"Scotland's world-class science base is the bedrock on which we can build a secure and successful economy.
"The appointment of members to the Scottish Science Advisory Committee is a landmark occasion. It is an important milestone in the implementation of the Scottish Executive's Science Strategy.
"Our Universities and Research Institutes are Scotland's 'investment banks' for our future success. This diverse, high-calibre team, will ensure that work being done by our research community today will generate tomorrow's prosperity.
"We have already made significant progress since I launched the Science Strategy last August. However we need to focus our efforts and prioritise. We need independent advice on which should be the main areas of activity for science in the decade ahead. The key mechanism for doing that will be through the SSAC.
"I am certain that, by working together with the Advisory Committee, we will ensure that science plays its role in delivering Scotland's economic ambitions and raising the quality of life for the people of Scotland."
The full membership of the SSAC is:
Professor Wilson Sibbett CBE, BSc, PhD, FRS, FRSE: Chair of SSAC and Wardlaw Professor of Physics, University of St Andrews.
Professor Geoffrey Boulton OBE, BSc, PhD, DSc, FGS, FRS, FRSE: Vice Principal and Regius Professor of Geology and Mineralogy, University of Edinburgh.
Professor Jane Bower BSc, MBA, MA/FPM, PhD, IMC: Professor of Entrepreneurship, Glasgow Caledonian University. |
Dr Donald Bruce BSc, PhD, Dip Theol.: Director of the Society, Religion and Technology Project, Church of Scotland since 1992.
Professor Muffy Calder BSc, PhD, CEng: Professor of Computing Science, University of Glasgow.
Professor John Coggins MA, PhD, FRSE: Director, Institute of Biomedical and Life Sciences, Dean, Faculty of Biomedical & Life Sciences and Professor of Molecular Enzymology, University of Glasgow.
Dr Graham Durant BSc, PhD: Deputy Director, Hunterian Museum, University of Glasgow.
Professor Tariq Durrani BEng, MSc, PhD, FREng, FIEEE, FIEE, FRSE: Deputy Principal and Professor of Signal Processing, University of Strathclyde.
Mrs Sarah Fletcher BSc, MSc, DipEd, PGCE, PGCG: Principal Teacher of Physics, High School of Dundee.
Professor Margaret Gill BSc, PhD, BA: Director of the Macaulay Land Use Research Institute, Craigiebuckler, Aberdeen and Honorary Professor in the Department of Agriculture and Forestry at the University of Aberdeen.
Professor Peter Grant BSc, PhD, FREng, FIEE, FIEEE, FRSE: Head (designate for August 2002) of School of Engineering & Electronics, The University of Edinburgh.
Professor Sally Macintyre OBE, FMedSci, BA, MSc, PhD, FRSE: Director, MRC Social & Public Health Sciences Unit, University of Glasgow.
Dr John Nicholls BSc PhD: Chief Executive, Photonic Materials Ltd., Bellshill. Professor Andrea Nolan MVB, MRCVS, DVA, PhD, Dipl.ECVA, Dip.EVCPT: Dean of the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine and Professor of Veterinary Pharmacology, University of Glasgow.
Mr Ian Ritchie BSc, CEng, FREng, FBCS, FRSE: non-executive Chairman of Voxar Ltd, Digital Bridges Ltd, Active Navigation Ltd, and is the Deputy Chairman of VIS Entertainment plc. He is also a Director of Scottish Enterprise, Channel Four Television Corporation, the EPIC Group plc, Mindwarp Pavilion Ltd and the SCRAN Millennium Project.
Professor John Savill BA, MBChB, PhD, FRCP, FRCPE, FMed Sci: Professor of Medicine and Director of the MRC/University of Edinburgh Centre for Inflammation Research.
Professor David Wallace CBE, DL, FRS, FREng, FRSE: Vice Chancellor, Loughborough University.
Dr John Whitelock BSc, PhD: Team Leader, Applied Sciences, Fife College of Further & Higher Education.
Head of Secretariat - Dr Avril Davidson BSc, PhD: Head of Secretariat, Scottish Science Advisory Committee.