News from Science Board

Science Board met at Cosener's House in Abingdon on 22^nd and 23^rd May. The main item of business was the Programmatic Review. The Board received detailed reports from PPAN and PALS, taking into consideration the feedback from the consultation panels. Both PPAN and PALS reported that many of the changes suggested by the panels had been incorporated into their plans, though overall the funded programme had not changed dramatically from that outlined in March. Science Board endorsed the PPAN and PALS recommendations and was pleased to note that several new projects have now been incorporated into the future plans.

Science Board agreed that the consultation procedure had been very useful and instructive, and observed that a reasonable model for future programmatic reviews should involve a similar mechanism for gathering community input and for making detailed optimizations area by area. Science Board requested PPAN and PALS to put forward their proposals for their advisory structures as soon as possible.

It is clear that the Programmatic Review has been difficult, but Science Board has full confidence in the outcome of what has been a very thorough and considered peer review exercise, carried out in difficult circumstances for all concerned. The constructive engagement from the community through the consultation panels was greatly appreciated.

Science Board is committed to working together with STFC Executive and the community to prepare productively for the next spending review.