News from Science Board - November 2011

Science Board met on 10th-11th November 2011 at Polaris House, Swindon. Its business included:

• reports from the Advisory Panel for Science in Society, the Futures Advisory Panel, the Accelerator Strategy Board and the Astronomy Grants Panel;
• proposals for the continued operation of the Isaac Newton Group of Telescopes (ING), James Clerk Maxwell Telescope (JCMT) and UK Infra-Red Telescope (UKIRT);
• an update on the process of updating the RCUK Large Facilities Roadmap;
• a report regarding the recent consultation on a revised advisory panel structure; and
• a report from the UK Space Agency regarding preparations for the next European Space Agency Ministerial meeting

Science Board received a report from the Advisory Panel for Science in Society (APSiS). The Board welcomed the report and noted the planned ‘direction of travel’ for the STFC public engagement programme.

Science Board received a report from the Futures Advisory Panel, which had held its first meeting on 8th-9th November 2011. The Board noted the promising start by the panel and was encouraged to see that the Futures Theme Leaders had taken into account the Environment and Healthcare and Ageing Reviews carried out by the Physical and Life Sciences Committee.

The Accelerator Strategy Board provided a report on the recent review of four accelerator proposals. The proposals were for continued funding of the John Adams Institute; completion of the Muon Ionisation Cooling Experiment (MICE); continuation of work on the Front End Test Stand (FETS) and generic R&D for Target Studies. Science Board endorsed the recommendations of the Accelerator Strategy Board on the future funding levels for these projects.

Science Board received a report presented by the chair of the Astronomy Grants Panel (AGP) regarding the recent grants round. Science Board noted that the proposals were of a very high standard and regretted the fact that due to the limited funds available, a considerable amount of research that is competitive with the best in the world could not be supported. Science Board thanked the AGP for their hard work in reviewing the proposals and endorsed the recommendations made by the AGP.

Science Board was updated on the current status of operations of the ING, JCMT and UKIRT and proposals for the future operation of these facilities. The Board welcomed the successful completion of SCUBA-2 on the JCMT and the start of science. Science Board noted the timescales for decisions to be made regarding operation of, and the STFC role in, the ING, JCMT and UKIRT and agreed that the proposals needed more detailed consideration. The Board therefore agreed to set up a sub-group (consisting of core and non-core Science Board members) to review options for the future of these facilities and report in April 2012.

Science Board discussed the responses to the recent consultation regarding the advisory panel structure. Taking into account the feedback from the consultation, Science Board discussed and agreed a proposal for a revised advisory structure. The proposal was considered and approved by STFC Council at its meeting on 22 November.

A paper was presented by the UK Space Agency regarding preparations for the next European Space Agency (ESA) Council of Ministers. Science Board discussed the paper and gave advice on the priority that STFC would place on UK participation in ESA optional programmes, given the implications for possible STFC funding of scientific exploitation through future grants rounds.

The next meeting of Science Board will take place on 9th-10th February 2012 at the Rutherford Appleton Laboratory.