Defra Science Advisory Council
Governance Sub-Group (SAC-G)
Membership
Professor Chris Gaskell (Chairperson)
Professor Thomas Meagher
Professor Philip Lowe
Terms of Reference for End to End work:
To consider Defra’s policy–science interface, in particular
whether research as commissioned was of value in informing policy once
delivered. It will identify and endorse good practice in Defra and advise
the Department on how science can inform policy more effectively (in terms
of cost-effectiveness and impact on policy). The sub-group will:
- Consider how policy needs are identified in Defra’s Directorate Generals.
- Consider how scientific research questions are set, including how Defra’s stakeholders are engaged in the process.
- Evaluate how science feeds into policy and whether it is done in a cost-effective way.
- Consider how Defra’s policy–science interface may be developed further.
Terms of Reference for Quality Assurance and Peer Review work
To consider Defra's quality assurance processes, including peer review;
to identify and endorse good practice in Defra and advise the Department
on how it could develop its programme further. The sub-group will:
- Evaluate Defra's current peer review and quality assurance processes,
including:
> peer review of research proposals and reports;
> quality assurance of the research; and
> audits of the laboratory agencies.
- Consider Defra's processes when dealing with emerging findings or emergency situations where rapid use of research results is required.
- Development of Defra's quality assurance programme further.*
Terms of Reference for review of governance of science advisory bodies
(advice submitted to CSA on 10 May 2005, Paper Ref: SAC (05) 8)
To consider Defra's long-term science advice needs on bovine TB and badgers, to ensure that the science advice process is fit for purpose, robust and trusted by stakeholders. The sub-group will:
-
consider whether and/or what type of advisory body is required
-
consider issues such as advisory body terms of reference, composition, reporting lines, how best to bring together different perspectives, and processes that might be used to identify gaps in science that need to be filled to underpin policy
More generally, the sub-group will examine the role and position of science advisory bodies - taking into consideration the new Defra advisory structure with the Chief Scientific Adviser and the Science Advisory Council in place - and will develop a generic best practice model for securing science advice for future use across Defra.
Published papers by SAC-G sub-group
SAC
(04) 28 - Summary of initial work and proposed terms of
reference
SAC-G (05) 5 - Governance of Science Advisory Bodies sub-group report (Annex 1). This report was presented to the SAC for discussion at the 12 April 2005 meeting. The report was accepted by the SAC (subject to suggested alterations being made) for submission to the Chief Scientific Adviser.
SAC (05) 8 - Governance of Science Advisory Bodies sub-group report (Annex 1), as submitted to the Chief Scientific Adviser on 10 May 2005.
SAC (05) 13 - Governance Sub-Group (Quality Assurance and Peer Review) - Summary of Initial Work and Draft Terms of Reference.
SAC-G (05) 18 - Quality Assurance and Peer Review - subgroup report
SAC-G (05) 18 - Figures
SAC-G (05) 22 - Update & draft Terms of Reference for proposed 'end to end' review work
SAC-G (05) 23 - Update on SAC-G's report on science advisory bodies and bovine TB - including additional exlanatory notes
SAC-G (06)
04 - Quality assurance and peer review in press releases
and contingency/ emergency situations, as presented at the SAC meeting
on 26 April 2006. The report was accepted by the SAC (subject to suggested
alterations being made) for submission to the Chief Scientific Adviser.
SAC (06) 13
- Quality assurance and peer review in press releases and contingency/
emergency situations, as submitted to the Chief Scientific Adviser on
9 May 2006.
SAC-G (06)
10 - Update of sub-groups 'end to end' review work
SAC-G (06) 14 - End to end review of science into policy
SAC
(07) 02 - CSA response to SAC recommendations on the End
to End review of Science into Policy in Defra
If you would like to comment or be added to the Science Advisory Council's stakeholder mailing list please email: science.advisory.council@defra.gsi.gov.uk
Page
last modified: 5 August 2008
Page published: 5 November 2007