22 September 2014 – The Science and Technology Facilities Council is establishing two new subcommittees of its Council, to be called the Skills and Engagement Advisory Board and the Innovation Advisory Board.
The Skills and Engagement Advisory Board will advise on the strategic development of its programmes in skills and public engagement. In particular, the board will advise STFC on how it can best invest in or otherwise encourage the development of the scientific, technical and engineering skills needed both to underpin the strength of its science programme and, importantly, to contribute to the wider UK economy; and how best to engage the public in its science and technology.
STFC is now inviting applications or nominations for membership of this new board and we would very much like to have representation from industry to help guide us on how we can contribute to meeting national skills requirements, particularly in advanced engineering and technology. This could be through our involvement in school, further and higher education, through apprenticeships and specialist training courses in our laboratories, or through our funding for postgraduate education.
The board will be chaired by Prof Julia Goodfellow, a member of STFC Council, and will meet 2-3 times a year. Our aim is to have a membership drawn from higher education, industry and others with experience at a strategic level in skills development and/or public engagement.
The Innovation Advisory Board will review the ‘innovation’ aspect of STFC’s work and will provide recommendations on existing and future programmes. The Board’s role has a particular significance because it will oversee STFC’s activities which have a direct impact on economic growth. Demonstration of impact is seen as an important part of making the overall case for science funding.
The Innovation Advisory Board will be chaired by Dr Richard Worswick, a member of STFC Council, and will meet 2-3 times a year. We would very much like to have representation from industry, of any size, to help and guide us on ways to maximise the impact from STFC’s investments, in particular experience of collaborative research & development of advanced engineering products and technology applications that in turn generate economic impact.
Membership of both advisory boards will be for an initial period of two years, commencing January 2015.
If you are interested in being a member of one or more boards, or would like to nominate a colleague, there are online forms that need to be completed by 17th October. For this and more information, including the full terms of reference, please see the calls for nominations at: