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Discovery Advisory Committee for Science (DACS) terms of reference

Updated 2 June 2025

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Discovery Advisory Committee for Science (DACS) terms of reference

(formerly Science Programme Advisory Committee (SPAC))

The Committee will meet at least three times a year usually before each ESA Science Programme Committee meeting and will:

  • provide advice on the UK lines to take at upcoming science committee meetings and workshops, taking due regard of the policies set by DSIT, the UK Space Agency and the STFC science strategy;

  • provide advice on the overall UK strategy for involvement in space science projects, taking account of issues relating to:

  1. Space science
  2. Technology
  3. Industry
  4. Potential spin-off applications
  5. Science and society opportunities
  6. Education and skills

  • provide advice on the ranking and relative priority of current and potential future space science projects as an input to both funding and review decisions conducted by or for the UK Space Agency, taking account of the factors listed above;

  • provide advice on how to optimise the opportunities and benefits arising from Agency investments in Space Science missions and deal with emerging challenges arising from Space Science missions.

  • report through the Chair to the Director of Discovery and Sustainability and the relevant Programme Board.

Membership

The membership should include; representatives of the UK space industry (e.g. through UKSpace and its subsidiary body UK SME forum); representatives from other relevant UK Space Agency committees; and representatives of the appropriate UK Space Agency stakeholders. In particular, there shall be a representative nominated by STFC, normally a member of Science Board, and EPSRC. Membership should be supplemented by experts on specific missions or fields as necessary for a particular meeting. Representatives of the UK Space Agency Executive shall be ex officio members; and officials from STFC and EPSRC shall be in attendance.

Discovery Advisory Committee for Science (DACS) Membership

Name Affiliation Representation/Role
Prof Gillian Wright UKATC DACS Chair
Dr Nic Walton IoA, University of Cambridge DACS Deputy Chair
Dr Andreea Font Liverpool John Moores University Expert Adviser
Dr Jan Forbrich University of Hertfordshire Expert Adviser
Dr Matt Townson Northumbria University Newcastle Expert Adviser
Dr Manish Patel The Open University Expert Adviser / SEAC Rep
Dr Clare Watt Northumbria University Expert Advisor
Dr David Hall The Open University Expert Advisor
Dr Rebecca Canning University of Portsmouth Expert Advisor
Mr Paul Eccleston RAL Space, STFC Expert Advisor
Prof Matt Griffin Cardiff University Expert Advisor
Dr Bruce Sibthorpe Airbus Industry Adviser
Dr Philip  Windred Blue Skies Industry Adviser
Dr Robert Massey Royal Astronomical Society Royal Astronomical Society
Prof Mark Sims University of Leicester SPAN Chair
Dr Matt Middleton University of Southampton SPAN SSEWG Chair
Ms Marie-Claire Perkinson Airbus SSEC Chair
Mr Steve Kay GMV SSEC Vice-Chair
Ms Jenny Hiscock STFC STFC - Associate Director of Astronomy
George Madden STFC STFC - Associate Director, Skills and Digital Research Infrastructure
Dr Judith Croston Open University STFC Science Board
Prof Adam Amara University of Surrey UK Space Agency Chief Scientist
Prof Caroline Smith Natural History Museum UK Space Agency SEAC Chair
Dr Chris Chaloner Trym Systems UK Space SME Chair

Observers

Name Affiliation Representation/Role
Dr Caroline Harper UK Space Agency Head of Space Science
Ms Maria Maura UK Space Agency Discovery Support Officer & DACS Minute taker
Mr Ryan King UK Space Agency National Space Science Programme Lead
Ms Ahlam Abdi UK Space Agency National Space Science Programme Project Manager
Ms Steph Gooby UK Space Agency National Space Science Programme Project Manager
Mrs Jo Morris UK Space Agency National Space Science Programme Project Manager & DACS Secretary
Mr Connor Perkins UK Space Agency National Space Science Programme - Benefits and Assurance Lead
Mr Rob Crego UK Space Agency Discovery Support Officer
Mrs Justyna Sokolowska-Sala UK Space Agency National Space Science Programme Delivery Manager
Mr Will Trafford UK Space Agency Science and Exploration Bilateral Programme Manager
Mr Rob Sainsbury UK Space Agency Science and Exploration Bilateral Programme Lead

For more information, please contact SpaceScience@ukspaceagency.gov.uk

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