SSAC Quarterly Update – December 2024
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 Julian Jones from 1 December 2023, the SSAC has nine 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, Chief Social Policy Adviser, Professor Linda Bauld and CSA (Marine), Professor Mark Inall.
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 Tuesday 25 March 2025.
1. SSAC CURRENT WORKSTREAMS
The critical technology and engineering biology projects are progressing with regular fortnightly working group meetings continuing into the new year. Virtual roundtables with key stakeholders are expected in early spring for each project.
2. SSAC FUTURE WORKSTREAMS
Following a meeting with SG policy officials in December to discuss a potential project on energy demand aggregation, it has been agreed that a virtual round table will be arranged for early spring 2025 with key stakeholders to help define the scope for a potential future SSAC project. SSAC will work with Climate Exchange Centre (CXC) colleagues to facilitate the event and a planning meeting has been arranged for mid-January 2025 to take forward.
3. SSAC MEMBERSHIP NEWS
The recruitment campaign for up to eight new members and two associate members to join the SSAC closed on 1 December. Applications have been assessed with interviews taking place in January and February 2025. It is expected that successful candidates will join the SSAC on 1 March 2025 with their first SSAC meeting due on 25 March 2025.
For further information, please contact the SSAC Secretariat team at: Scottishscience@gov.scot