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Looking further afield for specialist Scientific Advice and Evidence

  • Science Reviews[1] [2] are an important quality assurance mechanism available to the GCSA[3]; in 2008 there has been an anticipated[4] independent review of this policy instrument after five years.
  • The Guidelines(40 KB) address how evidence should be sought and applied to enhance the ability of government decision makers to make better informed decisions, ensuring the full range of relevant expertise is made available from internal and external resources. Standards of propriety should also be adhered to [5].
  • The Government Office for Science is currently undertaking a public consultation to update the Guidelines. The consultation provides an opportunity for scientists, academics and members of the public to help inform this update. Further information on the consultation is available in the press notice.
  • Scientific Advisory Committees (SACs) are an important source of expert independent advice[6] on significant policy issues and are the subject of a comprehensive Code of Practice(2 MB) (CoPSAC) revised in December 2007.
  • The advice contained covers: Role and remit, including options for reporting into departments; membership, recruitment and cooption; ethical issues and working practices; chairmanship; role of the Secretariat; remuneration; transparency and publication policies; and reporting on risk and uncertainty.
  • CoPSAC(2 MB) includes three core policy references - the Universal Ethical Code(107 KB)[7], the Seven Principles of Public Life (Nolan Principles)[8] and the Six Consultation Criteria(188 KB)[9].
  • The Government Chief Scientific Adviser, Professor John Beddington met with Chairs of Scientific Advisory Committees and Science Advisory Councils on 30 November to discuss a number of topics relating to the provision of independent scientific advice to government. The minutes(145 KB) of this meeting are publicly available.
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