New co-chair of the Council for Science and Technology
Prime Minister appoints Professor Dame Nancy Rothwell to the Council for Science and Technology.
The Prime Minister David Cameron appointed Professor Dame Nancy Rothwell to the Council for Science and Technology (CST) as its new Co-Chair today.
The Council’s remit is to advise the Prime Minister on strategic science and technology policy issues that cut across the responsibilities of individual government departments.
The Prime Minister said:
The UK’s outstanding research base together with its strong entrepreneurship gives it immense potential as an innovation economy. Nancy Rothwell’s understanding of science and its relationship to business will enhance the Council’s high calibre expertise and ensure that science and technology continues to drive UK growth.
Dame Nancy is President and Vice Chancellor of the University of Manchester and was appointed to the CST as a member in June 2011. She is an eminent neuroscientist and is currently President of the Society of Biology.
The appointment follows the retirement from the CST of the previous Co-Chair, Professor Dame Janet Finch, on the 31 December 2011.
The period of Professor Rothwell’s appointment is from 13 February 2012 until 31 December 2013; it is not remunerated.
Notes to editors
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The appointment process was made in accordance with the Office of the Commissioner for Public Appointments’ Code of Practice for Ministerial Appointments to Public Bodies.
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Members of the Council for Science and Technology are: * Professor Sir John Beddington - Government Chief Scientific Adviser. (Co-Chair of the CST) * Professor Keith Burnett FRS - Vice Chancellor of Sheffield University * Professor Steven Cowley - CEO of the UKAEA * Professor Dame Sandra Dawson - Deputy Vice-Chancellor of Cambridge University * Mr Rowan Douglas - CEO of Willis Re Global Analytics and Chairman of Willis Research Network * Dr Paul Golby CBE FREng - Chair of Council and Pro Chancellor of Aston University, and Chairman of EngineeringUK * Professor Dame Julia Goodfellow FMedSci - Vice Chancellor University of Kent * Dr Hermann Hauser Hon CBE, FREng - Venture Capitalist and Co-Founder of Amadeus Capital Partners * Professor Alan Hughes - Director of the Centre for Business Research at Cambridge University * Dr Michael Lynch OBE FREng - CEO of Autonomy Corporation plc * Sir Paul Nurse FRS - President of the Royal Society (ex officio member) * Sir John Parker FREng - President of the Royal Academy of Engineering (ex officio member) * Sir Adam Roberts KCMG, FBA - President of the British Academy (ex officio member) * Professor Dame Nancy Rothwell FRS FREng - President and Vice-Chancellor of Manchester University * Mr Colin Smith FREng - Director of Engineering and Technology at Rolls-Royce * Professor Sir Christopher Snowden FRS FREng - Vice Chancellor and CEO of Surrey University * Dr Graham Spittle CBE - Chief Technology Officer and Vice President, Software Group Europe * Professor Michael Sterling FREng - Chairman of the Science and Technology Facilities Council * Professor Sir John Tooke FMedSci - President of the Academy of Medical Sciences (ex officio member) * Sir Mark Walport FMedSci FRS - Director of the Wellcome Trust
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The CST reports directly to the Prime Minister. Its terms of reference are to advise the Prime Minister on the strategic policies and framework for: * sustaining and developing science, engineering, technology and mathematics (STEM) in the UK, and promoting international co-operation in STEM * fostering the practice and perception of science, engineering and technology as an integral part of the culture of the UK
* promoting excellence in STEM education * making more effective use of research and scientific advice in the development and delivery of policy and public services across government * promoting STEM-based innovation in business and the public services to promote the sustainable development of the UK economy, the health and quality of life of UK citizens, and global sustainable development
The CST works on cross-cutting issues of strategic importance, taking a medium to longer term approach. In developing its advice it takes into account the cultural, economic, environmental, ethical and social context of developments in STEM.