New SSAC Members Appointed
Science experts will advise Scottish Government
Ten new members and associate members will join the Scottish Science Advisory Council (SSAC) from 1 March 2025, strengthening the expert panel that supports the Chief Scientific Adviser for Scotland in her work with Scottish Ministers.
The new Members are:
- Professor Qammer Abbasi (University of Glasgow – communications, applied electromagnetics and sensing)
- Professor Simon Dobson (University of St Andrews – computer science)
- Professor Gareth Harrison (University of Edinburgh – electrical engineering)
- Professor Julie Jacko (University of Edinburgh – medicine and veterinary medicine, innovation and engagement)
- Professor Russell Morris (University of St Andrews – chemistry)
- Professor Ifor Samuel (University of St Andrews – physics and semiconductors)
- Professor Deborah Williamson (University of St Andrews – medicine)
- Dr Evgenia Yakushina (University of Strathclyde – manufacturing engineering)
The new Associate Members are:
- Dr Alexander Browne (University of St Andrews – chemistry and advanced materials)
- Dr Kirsten Jenkins (University of Edinburgh – energy and environment)
The new Members will serve for three years, until 29 February 2028, and the new Associate Members – who are early career researchers – are appointed for an initial one year term, until 28 February 2026.
Commenting on the new appointments, SSAC Chair Professor Julian Jones said:
“Our new members and associates bring a range of expertise and experience to the SSAC, complementing that of our existing members. This will broaden our range of specialist skills as we continue to provide expert scientific advice in subjects of critical importance to the Scottish Government in their development of strategy and policy.”
Minister for Business, Richard Lochhead welcomed the appointments:
“New developments in science and technology have a huge impact on our economy, environment and public services. Making sure the Scottish Government has access to the latest science advice and evidence to inform our policies is therefore critical to Scotland’s future success. The SSAC plays a key role here, and I look forward to hearing more from the members of the Council as their work progresses.”
BACKGROUND
The SSAC is Scotland’s highest level science advisory body. It 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 work.
The SSAC supports the work of the CSA Scotland, Professor Julie Fitzpatrick, the Chief Scientist (Health), Professor Dame Anna Dominiczak, the Chief Scientific Adviser for Environment, Natural Resources and Agriculture, Professor Mat Williams and the Chief Scientific Adviser for Marine, Professor Mark Inall, all of whom are also ex-officio members of the SSAC.
Details of other members of the SSAC can be found on the SSAC website: http://www.scottishscience.org.uk/members
The next meeting of the SSAC will be on Tuesday 25 March 2025.