The Government Chief Scientific Adviser
A key function of the Government Chief Scientific Advisor is the responsibility towards the Prime Minister and the Cabinet to ensure that the best science and engineering advice is brought to bear effectively on Government policy and decision-making.
The office is supported in this by the Government Office for Science and by the network of Chief Scientific Advisers now in place in all major science-using departments. The Government Chief Scientific Advisor also work closely with the economic, statistical, social research and operational research professions.
Another crucial part of the role is to work with Ministers, the scientific community and the media to ensure that the scientific method, risk and uncertainty are understood by the public. This is especially important at present given the misunderstandings around climate change.
As we enter the new decade, the vision for science and engineering in Government in the UK is that:
- Government policy and decision-making are underpinned by robust science and engineering evidence and long-term thinking.
- The UK stands as a beacon of good practice in the use of science and engineering evidence by Government.
- The Government Office for Science is widely recognised as authoritative and influential across the whole of Government.
- Science and scientific evidence clearly contribute to the effective handling of major challenges.
- Foresight and Horizon Scanning are both widely recognised as key elements of long term, strategic planning.
- The status of scientists and engineers across Government improves significantly.
- In addition, getting the triangular relationship right between government, society, and science and engineering has never been more important to ensure that, as a nation, the UK is successful in realising its potential in the 21st century.
- UK science and engineering enjoy a leading place on the world stage.
- The Government Office for Science contributes internationally to developing thinking on global issues.
