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The Cabinet Secretary for Education and Lifelong Learning has welcomed a new appointment to the Scottish Science Advisory Council (SSAC), the group of experts who provide independent advice to the Scottish Government on science, engineering and technology.

Ian Underwood, Professor of Electrical Displays at the University of Edinburgh and co-founder of technology company MicroEmissive Displays, joins the SSAC and helps boost the business credentials of the Council.

Fiona Hyslop has also announced that the SSAC has amended its name from 'Committee' to 'Council', to reflect the wide range of scientific expertise included in the body and to differentiate the SSAC from subject-specific committees which tend to have narrow fields of interest.

Ms Hyslop said:

"Science plays an important role in supporting and sustaining Scotland's economic growth, underpinning business innovation and development.

"In these times of global financial uncertainties we need to ensure that we take full advantage of the huge potential that scientific knowledge and expertise offers Scotland, to address the challenges we face both now and in the future.

"I am pleased to welcome Professor Underwood to the SSAC - with his strong and successful track record in business I am sure he will provide valuable additional expertise to the Council."

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

"Professor Underwood brings a wealth of experience to the Council and I am delighted that he has agreed to join the SSAC.

"His understanding of developing new technology and products, based on his research in the physical sciences, complements the existing membership of the SSAC, which includes experts from biotechnology, IT, life sciences, chemicals, energy, engineering, social sciences and public engagement."

Professor Ian Underwood is recognised as a worldwide authority on microdisplay technology. In 1999 he co-founded MicroEmissive Displays (MED), where he has held several key roles and is currently Chief Scientific Adviser. MED's technology achievements include a Guinness World Record in 2004 for the world's smallest colour TV screen. In 2005 Professor Underwood was appointed Professor of Electrical Displays at the University of Edinburgh where he is also Head of the Institute for Micro and Nano Systems. Honours include Ernst & Young Emerging Entrepreneur of the Year, Scotland (2003) and the Gannochy Medal for Innovation (2004). He has recently been elected to the Fellowship of the Royal Academy of Engineering (2008) and of the Institute of Physics (2008).

Appointments to the SSAC, which do not receive any remuneration, are made for a three year period renewable for a further two. All appointments are made on merit and in order to achieve a balance across the scientific community. Professor Underwood's appointment will run until January 2011.

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 it 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. Professor Underwood has not been involved in any political activity in the last five years.

The appointment of Professor Underwood follows the resignation of Sir Kenneth Calman, Chancellor of the University of Glasgow, from the SSAC earlier this summer.

The remit of the SSAC, established in 2002, is to provide the Scottish Government with independent advice and recommendations on science strategy, policy and priorities. As experts close to the cutting-edge of developments, the SSAC 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 of 19 members:

• Prof Anne Glover, Chief Scientific Adviser for Scotland (SSAC Co-Chair) Dr Stuart Monro OBE, Scientific Director, Our Dynamic Earth (SSAC Independent Co-Chair)
• Prof Steve Beaumont OBE, Vice Principal, University of Glasgow Prof Alan Bundy
• Professor of Automated Reasoning in the School of Informatics, University of Edinburgh
• Prof Michael Ferguson CBE, Dean of Research for the College of Life Sciences, University of Dundee
• Prof Julie Fitzpatrick, Chief Executive, Moredun Research Institute Dr Karen Jervis, Independent Consultant
• Prof Jim McDonald, Director of the Institute for Energy and Environment; Deputy Principal of Strathclyde University
• Prof Peter Morgan, Vice Principal, University of Aberdeen
• Prof Andy Porter, Professor of Biotechnology and Deputy Director of the Institute of Medical Sciences, University of Aberdeen
• Prof Stuart Reid, Dean of the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Glasgow Ian Ritchie CBE, Non-Executive Chairman of Iomart plc, Scapa, CAS, Casapian Learning and the Interactive Design Institute
• Prof Roland Wolf, Director of the Biomedical Research Centre, University of Dundee Dr Barbara Spruce, Senior Lecturer, University of Dundee Prof Joyce Tait CBE, Scientific Adviser, Innogen, University of Edinburgh
• Prof Bob Tooze, Managing Director of Sasol Technology UK Ltd
• Prof Ian Underwood, Professor of Electrical Displays at the University of Edinburgh, Chief Scientific Adviser to MicroEmissive Displays
• Prof Chris van der Kuyl, Chief Executive, BrightSolid Prof Graham Wren, Managing Director, GSE Systems Limited

Related Information

http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Topics/Business-Industry/science