SSAC Work Programme

While the SSAC will maintain broad interests, it will focus its activity at any given time through its work programme. The SSAC work programme is developed by its members in discussion with Scottish Government. The Scottish Government can ask SSAC to consider particular issues; the Council is under no obligation to agree to these requests if it believes that other work would be of greater value.

In the past the SSAC has reviewed and provided advice on a full range of Scotland’s science activities.  Most recently the Council has examined specific opportunities for the science base in Scotland, including Synthetic Biology, Animal Bioscience, Technologies for Assisted Living, Business R&D in Scotland, Science Education. 

In these reports, the SSAC identified a number of key issues, identified action required and made specific recommendations.  The underlying theme to many of the recommendations was excellence, collaboration and enhanced connectivity, where Scotland’s scientific strengths can be nurtured in both fundamental and applicable areas of science to benefit the Scottish economy and Scottish society.

Much of SSAC's work programme activity is conducted through subgroups.