SSAC Quarterly Update – June 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 15 other members including a co-opted member, 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 19 September 2023.
1. SSAC CURRENT WORKSTREAMS
The Circular Economy lunch and learn session was hosted via the RESAS online seminars in April 2023 with around 200 attendees from across Scottish Government.
The Aquaculture report was published on 26 April 2023 within agreed timescales.
The Food project questionnaires were issued to stakeholders on 25 April 2023. An update to the scoping agreement was published on 26 April 2023. The virtual roundtable was held on 22 May 2023 with the draft report being prepared.
The Adaptation project invitation was issued to stakeholders in May to attend the virtual roundtable on 8 June 2023. The intern had prepared a SWOT analysis of place based adaptation which had been shared with the working group for comment.
Engagement is ongoing between secretariat/SG analysts on the work of the Science/policy interface working group to take forward this project.
The virtual Early Career Researchers workshop on climate change was held on 13 June 2023.
2. SSAC FUTURE WORKSTREAMS
A summary record of all climate change recommendations should be produced from past reports to assist with future projects – this will be published following the completion of the Food and Adaptation projects.
It was agreed to look at SSAC’s use of social media platforms going forward.
There were suggestions to look at other potential projects to take forward including Space sector, Offshore wind, and emerging technologies/AI.
3. SSAC MEMBERSHIP NEWS
A new co-opted member was appointed until 30 November 2023 to assist with the adaptation project.
For further information, please contact the SSAC Secretariat team at: Scottishscience@gov.scot