News from Science Board - February 2010

STFC’s Science Board held its most recent meeting on 11^th February 2010 at Polaris House in Swindon. Science Board’s business included the PPAN (Particle Physics, Astronomy and Nuclear Physics) and PALS (Physical and Life Sciences) update reports, prioritisation follow-up items, the EPSRC (Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council) / STFC Fusion review and a discussion of the future work programme.

Science Board received reports from the chair of PPAN and chair of PALS.

PPAN met on 27^th – 28^th January 2010 at Polaris House, Swindon. PPAN received a presentation from the Astronomy Grants Panel, discussed the impact of the prioritisation on the Nuclear Physics grants and spent time finalising public feedback from the prioritisation. PPAN also considered one statement of interest: a proposal to participate in the implementation of GAIA data processing and data releases, after launch until the final data release in 2020/21.

PALS met on 14^th – 15^th January 2010 at the University of Oxford. Its business included finalising public feedback for the facilities considered during the prioritisation and presentations about the Campuses/Gateways Centres, the Futures Programmes and the Research Complex at Harwell.

Science Board discussed the review of STFC’s structural issues currently being undertaken by Professor Michael Sterling at the request of Lord Drayson, Minister for Science. Science Board expressed a wish to provide a view to Professor Sterling and Council.

Science Board was presented with some financial information about how funding profiles have changed over the last five years and what the impact of the prioritisation will be. Science Board noted again the impact of its decision to fully fund both the UK large facilities and international subscriptions had on other areas. Science Board also noted the overall reduction in funding for the Science Programme area when the European Southern Observatory (ESO) joining fee is fully paid in 2013.

Science Board noted the recent report on the review of fusion discussed by Council in September 2009. The report presents the proposed Research Council’s Programme Strategy for the future support of fusion for energy in the UK following on from the EPSRC-STFC review of fusion strategy.

Science Board discussed a proposal by STFC for a long term work programme that included the development and update of science and technology strategies and regular balance of programme and prioritisation exercises.

The next meeting of Science Board will take place on 7^th - 8^th April 2010.