News from Science Board - June 2010

STFC’s Science Board held its most recent meeting on 2^nd - 3^rd June 2010 at the Cockcroft Institute in Daresbury. Science Board’s business included the PPAN (Particle Physics, Astronomy and Nuclear Physics) and PALS (Physical and Life Sciences) update reports, discussion on the 2010/11 Budget, update on the comprehensive spending review scenarios and a review of lessons learned from the prioritisation.

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

PALS met on 20^th – 21^st May 2010 at Rutherford Appleton Laboratory, Didcot. PALS first day included discussions with Facility Directors regarding the implementation of the prioritisation exercise; presentations about the Hartree and Detector gateway centres and a discussion on the STFC Lasers programme. A workshop with the advisory panels took place on day two; the aim of which was to identify science challenges relevant to STFC facilities and futures programmes. This workshop included members from the photon and neutron advisory panels. The workshop provided challenges spanning physical, biological, technological and cultural aspects of research undertaken at STFC’s facilities. As part of the roadmap development, PALS will map these challenges onto the capabilities of STFC’s technology and facilities.

PPAN met on 28^th May 2010 at Polaris House, Swindon. PPAN’s main business was the development of the science roadmap for PPAN science. The advisory panels provided PPAN with 18 key science challenges; PPAN examined these challenges, identified the overlaps and distilled them into a smaller set of challenges. PPAN also considered the STFC Vision document and their input into the strategy consultation document in 2008. PPAN received five roadmaps from the advisory panels and will work to synthesise these roadmaps at its next meeting.

Science Board commented on the excellent progress made from PPAN and PALS on the development of a science roadmap. Science Board discussed producing a glossy overview of the science challenges that could be circulated to key stakeholders in the near future. Science Board discussed and agreed overarching science challenges and commented that the “people” aspect of STFC (students, universities, training and skills impacts) needs to be highlighted. Science Board agreed upon the message of this document and provided STFC with ideas to portray this theme.

Science Board discussed and endorsed a plan, developed by Programme Board, to manage the in-year funding for the 2010/11 budget. Science Board was also informed of the scenario planning STFC is undertaking in preparation for the upcoming spending review. In addition Science Board was informed of the financial impact on STFC of the £6bn Government savings plan for 2010 / 11.

Science Board discussed lessons learned from the recent prioritisation exercise and expressed concern about the inevitable impact the prioritisation had on small projects and some entire areas of STFC science. Science Board asked STFC to consider initiatives aimed at sustaining such areas in the future.

The next meeting of Science Board will take place on 28^th - 29^th July 2010.