Science and engineering profession in government
There are around 15,000 scientists and engineers in Government carrying out a huge range of occupations, from radiation health and safety to brain electrophysiology, cloud physics, or agricultural processing.
Scientists and engineers in the Civil Service are critical to ensuring that Government decisions and activities are informed by a high quality, integrated and transparent evidence base.
The science and engineering profession across Government is led by the GCSA in his role as Head of Science & Engineering Profession or “HoSEP”. He is supported in this role by a network of departmental HoSEPs.
As head of profession, the GCSA is responsible for:
- co-ordinating and promoting the spreading of good practice;
- ensuring professional skills and learning and development activities are aligned with the common curriculum for the Civil Service; and
- chairing the board of departmental HoSEPs to discuss issues of importance to the profession, such as skills, recruitment and professional development.
In January 2013, the Government Office for Science published a review of the science and engineering profession in Government, which provided information about the current state of the profession, proposed a vision for the future of the profession and highlighted priorities for action. The report can be downloaded from Publications.
To learn more about the Government Science and Engineering (GSE) community (including news, events and how to join) click here
To access support for professional development, click here
