Departmental Chief Scientific Advisers (DCSAs) work together under the leadership of the GCSA to support each other and to address and advise on cross-cutting issues
They do this primarily through CSAC, whose terms of reference are to consider and advise the Government Chief Scientific Adviser on issues of relevance to Her Majesty's Government (and the devolved administrations) concerning science, engineering and technology (SET).
In particular, CSAC:
- Provides advice to Ministers, for example through the Cabinet Committee system
- Discusses and facilitates implementation of policy on SET
- Identifies and promulgates good practice in SET-related areas, including the use of scientific advice in policy making
- Facilitates communication on particular high profile SET-related issues and those posing new challenges for government
Its membership includes the GCSA (Chair), all DCSAs, CSAs to Devolved Administrations, the DIUS Director General of Science and Research, the DIUS Director of Innovation, the Head of the Government Economic Service and the Head of HM Treasury’s spending team responsible for science.
Core Issues Group of Chief Scientific Advisers (CIG)
CIG was created by Professor John Beddington with the aim of identifying and driving progress based on excellent science at a strategic level on key priority issues on which DCSAs acting jointly can expect to add value.
Its membership includes a number of senior DCSAs. CIG has already identified a series of issues which it is addressing via sub-groups. The first two sub-groups focus on counter-terrorism and climate change/ food security.
CIG is also building its relationship with the Research Councils by holding regular discussions with Research Council CEOs.
