SSAC Quarterly Update – December 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 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 on 21 March 2023.
1. SSAC CURRENT WORKSTREAMS
The Circular Economy roundtable was held on 20 October 2022 and the draft report is being prepared with publication of the final report expected in early 2023.
The Energy report was published on 30 November 2022. An SG lunch and learn session to discuss the report is expected in early 2023.
The Aquaculture Short Life Working Group has been established and stakeholder interviews are scheduled for January 2023 with a roundtable planned for February 2023.
The Food project scoping agreement was agreed and published on 3 October. A roundtable is expected for early 2023.
The Adaptation scoping agreement was agreed and published on 17 October 2022. A working group has been established to take forward the project with a roundtable expected in early 2023.
2. SSAC FUTURE WORKSTREAMS
It was agreed to take forward work on science/policy interface and a meeting with SG analysts is to be arranged next year.
3. Membership news
Following the conclusion of the recent SSAC recruitment campaign, twelve new members and two new associate members were appointed.
For further information, please contact the SSAC Secretariat team at: Scottishscience@gov.scot