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Twelve leading scientists, including Professor Lord Winston, an expert on science and society matters, and Professor James Hough, an international leader in the search for gravitational waves, have joined the specialist panel that advises the Scottish Government on science issues.

The Scottish Science Advisory Council (SSAC) is a group of 19 experts from the science and business community who provide the Scottish Government with independent advice on a range of science-related topics. This includes how best to capitalise on Scotland's world-leading research base to benefit the economy and its people.

The first meeting of the SSAC with its new members will be held on March 11, 2010 at the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh (RBGE).

The new SSAC members are:

• Professor Ian Boyd, University of St Andrews
• Dr John Brown, Chair of BTG plc*
• Professor Nigel Brown, University of Edinburgh
• Professor Ian Diamond, Economic and Social Research Council (appointed from 1 July 2010)*
• Professor Peter Gregory, Scottish Crop Research Institute*
• Professor James Hough, University of Glasgow
• Professor Julian Jones, Heriot Watt University
• Dr Chris Masters, Sagentia Group PLC*
• Mrs Angela Mathis, ThinkTank Maths Ltd
• Professor George Salmond, University of Cambridge
• Professor Marian Scott, University of Glasgow
• Professor Lord Winston, Imperial College London*

* unable to attend this meeting of the SSAC

Professor Anne Glover, Chief Scientific Adviser for Scotland and Co-Chair of the SSAC, said:

"Attracting such high-profile experts to the SSAC highlights Scotland's outstanding strength as a science nation. I look forward to working with all our new and existing members as we explore new ways to ensure that Scotland's economy and people benefit more fully from the quality of Scotland's science base."

Appointments to the SSAC, which do not receive any remuneration, are made for a three year period renewable for a further two. The appointments were made following a public advertisement and selection was by a panel chaired by Professor Glover. All appointments are made on merit and in order to achieve a balance across a range of scientific interests.

The SSAC is not a formal public advisory body, and there are no legal requirements in connection with the manner appointments are made or the way its conducts its business. However the arrangements for the SSAC draw strongly on the original Nolan recommendations in connection with appointments to public bodies. Thus appointees' political activity (if there is any to be declared) will be made public.

Of the new appointments only Professor Lord Winston has declared political interests. He takes the Labour whip in the House of Lords and is involved in occasional canvassing activities.

The SSAC was established in 2002 and initially managed by the Royal Society of Edinburgh. Following the appointment of Professor Anne Glover as the Government's Chief Scientific Adviser, responsibility for the SSAC was transferred to the Office of the Chief Scientific Adviser on January 1, 2007.

The remit of the SSAC is to provide independent advice and recommendations on science strategy, policy and priorities. As experts close to the cutting-edge of developments, they will provide advice on the economic and wider opportunities arising from science and technology, and also on the impact of new scientific thought.

The SSAC comprises 19 members (12 new and seven existing). In addition to Professor Anne Glover (SSAC Co-Chair), the other existing members of the Council are:

• Mr Ian Ritchie CBE, Non-Executive Chairman of Iomart plc, Scapa, CAS, Casapian Learning and the Interactive Design Institute (SSAC Independent Co-Chair)
• Professor Alan Bundy, Professor of Automated Reasoning, University of Edinburgh
• Dr Karen Jervis, Commercial Director and Chief Operating Officer, BigDNA
• Professor Jim McDonald, Principal, University of Strathclyde
• Professor Robert Tooze, Managing Director, Sasol Technology UK Ltd
• Professor Ian Underwood, Professor of Electronic Displays, University of Edinburgh

National Science and Engineering Week is organised by the British Science Association and runs March 12-21, 2010. Its theme for this year is 'Earth', in connection with 2010 being the International Year of Biodiversity.

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