SSAC Quarterly Update – March 2022
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 11 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 David Crossman, 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 SSAC held its last meeting on 8 December 2021 by video conference. The next SSAC meeting will be in person on 7 June 2022 in Edinburgh.
1. SSAC CURRENT WORKSTREAMS
The Early Career Researchers Workshop on Climate Change is scheduled to take place in May 2022.
Work on Quantum Technologies is nearing completion with the final report expected in early Summer
Work on the Circular Economy project is progressing with an intern placement secured to start in May 2022.
Work on the Energy project is progressing with a roundtable workshop event expected to take place in the summer.
2. SSAC FUTURE WORKSTREAMS
There are a number of other projects, covering a variety of sectors, currently being planned with SSAC members being allocated to lead each. Scoping Documents will be drafted for each of these for final approval by the SSAC.
3. Membership news
The March 2022 SSAC meeting was the last meeting for CS (Health) Professor David Crossman. His replacement will be announced in due course.
For further information, please contact the SSAC Secretariat team at: Scottishscience@gov.scot