Publications
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Government Office for Science Annual Review 2012-13
Background
The Government Office for Science has published its fourth annual review.
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The Government Office for Science annual review 2012-2013 (PDF, 895 Kb)
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The future of the Civil Service: Making the most of scientists and engineers in government
Background
Established in 2008, the Government Science and Engineering community has developed successfully into a large, highly skilled and diverse profession and in the context of Civil Service Reform, we have an opportunity to better harness this potential. In 2012 the Government Office for Science conducted a review to provide information about the current state of the profession, propose a vision for the future of the profession and highlight priorities for action.
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Making the most of scientists and engineers - full report (PDF, 2.3 Mb)
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Making the most of scientists and engineers - executive summary (PDF, 472 Kb)
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Making the most of scientists and engineers - Reporting of scoping workshops (PDF, 163 Kb)
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Making the most of scientists and engineers - Survey Responses (PDF, 145 Kb)
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Making the most of scientists and engineers - Careers Guide (PDF, 125 Kb)
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Making the most of scientists and engineers - Careers Template (PPT, 9.9 Mb)
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Making the most of scientists and engineers - Policy Guide (PDF, 115 Kb)
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Making the most of scientists and engineers - Policy Template (PPT, 928 Kb)
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Making the most of scientists and engineers - Scenarios (PDF, 190 Kb)
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Making the most of scientists and engineers - Scenario Template (PPT, 1.1 Mb)
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Engaging with academics
Background
Engagement between academia and government is a critical part of ensuring that policy making is informed by relevant evidence. Academics can be helpful to policy makers in all sorts of ways, whether that is bringing the latest evidence and information to bear on a particular policy problem, providing fresh perspectives which help tackle orthodoxies and "group think", or bring extra rigour to decisions or help bridge skills gaps in specialist analytical and data handling roles. GO-Science has produced a short guide and collection of case studies, designed to encourage and provide tips on constructive engagement with academia by government officials. It is primarily aimed at policy makers working in science, technology or engineering related areas, but should be useful for any in government who work with evidence.
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Engaging with academics (PDF, 559 Kb)
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GSE introduction to systems thinking: report of GSE and GORS seminar
Background
On 3 July 2012, the Government Office for Science organised a seminar at Civil Service Live to provide an introduction to systems thinking in the Civil Service. The expert speakers drawn from the Government Science and Engineering (GSE) community and Government Operational Research Service (GORS) explained the key concepts within systems thinking and demonstrated some of the different approaches applicable in a Civil Service context.
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GSE introduction to systems thinking: report of GSE and GORS seminar (PDF, 448 Kb)
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New Perspectives from the Behavioural Sciences for Government Policy Making
Background
Note of a Roundtable meeting that took place on 13 June 2012 co-sponsored by Sir John Beddington, Government Chief Scientific Adviser, the Cabinet Office Behavioural Insights Team and the Government Economic and Social Research Professions. The Roundtable was attended by leading academics from across the behavioural sciences, experts working at the interface between the behavioural sciences and advertising, marketing and design, and the government analytical professions.
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New Perspectives from the Behavioural Sciences for Government Policy Making (PDF, 472 Kb)
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Government Office for Science Annual Review 2011-12
Background
The Government Office for Science has published its third annual review.
Downloads
The Government Office for Science annual review 2011-2012 (PDF, 349 Kb)
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Government Office for Science Annual Review 2010-11
Background
The Government Office for Science has published its second annual review.
Downloads
The Government Office for Science: annual review 2010-2011 (PDF, 811 Kb)
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10 point action plan to strengthen academia and government engagement
Background
The action plan identifies new approaches to be piloted and opportunities to enhance ongoing activities with the aim of strengthening engagement between academic research and Government policy making.
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10 point action plan to strengthen academia and government engagement
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Code of practice for scientific advisory committees: CoPSAC 2011
Background
The Code provides guidance on all aspects of SAC governance. It covers the relationship between a Committee and its sponsoring body and the conduct and responsibility of the Committee in discharging its functions for that body. CoPSAC includes good practice in recruitment and appointment to committees, their operation and the provision of support and advice to Ministers and sponsoring departments.
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Code of practice for scientific advisory committees: CoPSAC 2011 (PDF, 355 Kb)
Code of practice for scientific advisory committees, CoPSAC 2011: guide to amendments (PDF, 137 Kb)
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Cultivating community: Sharing good practice across SAC secretariats
Background
This report is a useful guide to best practice for SAC working, and complementary to the Code of Practice for Scientific Advisory Committees (CoPSAC).
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Cultivating community: sharing good practice across SAC secretariats (PDF, 311 Kb)
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Getting heard: A writing guide for scientists and engineers in government
Background
This guide, produced for the Government Science & Engineering (GSE)community, aims to support scientists and engineers in their communication activities.
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Getting heard: a writing guide for scientists and engineers in government (PDF, 591 Kb)
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GO-Science annual review 2009
Background
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GO-Science annual review 2009 (PDF, 3.5 Mb)
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GSE 2012 presentations
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Guidelines on the use of science and engineering advice in policy making
Background
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Guidelines on the use of science and engineering in policy making (PDF, 157 Kb)
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Head of Science and Engineering Profession (HoSEP) annual report 2009
Background
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Head of Science and Engineering Profession (HoSEP) annual report 2009 (PDF, 725 Kb)
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Perfect Storm paper
Background
A 'perfect storm' of global events is predicted by 2030, where in response to a growing population, the world will need to have more food available, use less energy and fresh water, whilst mitigating and adapting to climate change. This paper outlines how science and technology can make a major contribution to addressing the resulting challenges, by providing practical solutions.
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Perfect Storm paper (PDF, 633 Kb)
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Principles of scientific advice to government
Background
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Principles of scientific advice to Government
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Science and engineering in government
Background
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Science and Engineering in Government (PDF, 2.0 Mb)
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Science review of Communities and Local Government
Background
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Science review of Communities and Local Government (PDF, 510 Kb)
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Science review of Department for Culture, Media and Sport
Background
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Science review of Department for Culture, Media and Sport (PDF, 1.1 Mb)
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Science review of Department for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
Background
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Science review of Department for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (PDF, 410 Kb)
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Science review of Department of Health
Background
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Science review of Department of Health (PDF, 481 Kb)
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Science review of Food Standards Agency
Background
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Science review of Food Standards Agency (PDF, 904 Kb)
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Science review of Health and Safety Executive
Background
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Science review of Health and Safety Executive (PDF, 533 Kb)
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Science review of Home Office/Ministry of Justice
Background
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Science review of Home Office/Ministry of Justice (PDF, 3.3 Mb)
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Swine flu glossary
Background
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Swine flu glossary (PDF, 152 Kb)
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UK cross-government strategy for food research and innovation
Background
This strategy provides an overarching government framework to facilitate a more coordinated and collaborative approach to food research and innovation across the UK, linking with the private sector, consumer and other organisations where relevant.
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UK cross government food research strategy (PDF, 1.4 Mb)
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Universal ethical code for scientists
Background
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Universal ethical code for scientists (PDF, 106 Kb)
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Sharing experience: Improving engagement across SAC secretariats
Background
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Sharing experience: Improving engagement across SAC secretariats (PDF, 1.3 Mb)
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Scientific advice: The importance of trust
Background
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Scientific advice: The importance of trust
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A practical guide to public risk communication
Background
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A practical guide to public risk communication
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High level skills for agri-food
Background
This report explores key opportunities and challenges around high-level skills (undergraduate and post-graduate) in the agriculture and food sectors, and identifies priorities for action.
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High level skills for agri-food (PDF, 1.3 Mb)
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Chief scientific advisers and their officials - an introduction
Background
This document puts into context the roles of the Government Chief Scientific Adviser (GCSA) and the Government Office for Science (GO-Science) and of departmental Chief Scientific Advisers (CSAs) and their supporting teams (CSA Officials).
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Chief scientific advisers and their officials: an introduction (PDF, 457 Kb)
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