SSAC Quarterly Update – March 2023
The SSAC provides independent advice, through its Chair, to the Chief Scientific Adviser (CSA) for Scotland, to inform policy development and delivery across all areas of the Scottish Government’s (SG) work. It typically develops advice on a medium to long term basis, advising on developments in science and technology and their implications for policy and identifying potential future opportunities and threats.
Chaired by Professor Maggie Gill from 1 February 2020, the SSAC has 14 other members, in addition to the Scottish Government’s Chief Scientific Advisers, all of whom are ex-officio members: Chief Scientific Adviser (CSA) for Scotland Professor Julie Fitzpatrick, Chief Scientist (Health) Professor Dame Anna Dominiczak, CSA Environment, Natural Resources and Agriculture Professor Mat Williams and Chief Social Policy Adviser Professor Linda Bauld.
The SSAC issues a short report following each quarterly meeting to provide an update on its latest work streams and areas of interest. The next SSAC meeting will be in person in Edinburgh on 6 June 2023.
1. SSAC CURRENT WORKSTREAMS
The Circular Economy report has been completed and was published on 29 March 2023. A SG lunch and learn session is expected to take place in April 2023.
The Aquaculture virtual roundtable was held on 14 February 2023. The report is expected to be published by the end of April 2023.
The Food project is underway with questionnaires expected to be issued by the end of April 2023 with a roundtable to follow.
The Adaptation project is underway and an intern for the project has been appointed.
A number of volunteers have agreed to join the Science/policy interface working group to take forward this project.
2. SSAC FUTURE WORKSTREAMS
We will hold another Climate Change roundtable with early career researchers and this work will be taken forward by the two new associate members.
A summary record of all climate change recommendations will be produced from past reports to assist with future projects.
It was agreed to look at SSAC’s use of social media platforms going forward.
3. SSAC MEMBERSHIP NEWS
It was agreed to offer a co-opted membership to assist with the Adaptation work and the Chair will take forward discussions on this.
For further information, please contact the SSAC Secretariat team at: Scottishscience@gov.scot