Environment, agriculture and food strategic research programme 2016-2021

Programme governance, structure, roles and responsibilities

Strategic Advisory Board for RESAS Science

The Strategic Advisory Board for RESAS Science is the Scottish Government body that is accountable for the strategic research budget. It provides oversight across the research portfolio. 

Membership

• Professor Andrew Millar (Chair) - Chief Scientific Adviser, Environment, Natural Resources and Agriculture, Scottish Government
• Professor Sheila Bird - Programme Leader, MRC Biostatistics Unit, University of Cambridge
• Professor Iain Gillespie - Pro Vice-Chancellor Research and Enterprise, University of Leicester
• Professor Sarah Gurr - Chair in Food Security, University of Exeter
• Dr Joanna House - Research Lead, Global Environment Change theme, Cabot Institute of the Environment, University of Bristol
• Dr Phil Heads - Interim Director of Research and Innovation, NERC
• Dr Paul Burrows - Director, Corporate Policy and Strategy, BBSRC
• Professor Alison Park - Director of Research, ESRC
• Professor Jamie Newbold - Chair of Directors Executive Committee
• Dr Stuart Fancey - Director of Research and Innovation, Scottish Funding Council
• Bridget Campbell - Director of Environment and Forestry, Scottish Government
• Dr Gerry Saddler - Chief Plant Health Officer for Scotland and Head of Science and Advice for Scottish Agriculture - representing Director of Agriculture and Rural Economy Directorate, Scottish Government

Directors' Executive Committee 

The Directors' Executive Committee oversees the delivery of the Research Programmes and the membership is made up of the Directors and Chief Executives of the Main Research Providers (MRPs).

Membership

• Professor Julie Fitzpatrick, Chief Executive, Moredun Research Institute
• Professor Alistair Stott, Vice Principal (Research), Scotland's Rural College
• Professor Colin Campbell, Chief Executive, The James Hutton Institute
• Professor Peter Morgan, Director, The University of Aberdeen Rowett Institute of Nutrition and Health and Vice Principal, University of Aberdeen
• Professor David Elston, Director, Biomathematics and Statistics Scotland (BioSS)
• Simon Milne MBE, Regius Keeper, Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh

A Strategic Advisory Group (SAG) with wide membership from scientific and stakeholder communities advise DEC on strategic research and KE activities.

Theme Coordinators coordinate all Theme activities and report to DEC. They are responsible for monitoring progress within the Theme against agreed and timetabled activities/deliverables/events, reporting to DEC and RESAS Science Advisors to provide information when objectives are achieved and impact is realised. Where necessary, they report on problems with delivery to DEC and provide advice on contingency plans to address such issues.

Workpackage (WP) Coordinators in each Theme coordinate Work Package activities and report to Theme Coordinators.  They are responsible for monitoring progress and KE activity of the WP against agreed and timetabled activities/deliverables/events and reporting to the Theme Management Group. 

Research Deliverable (RD) Coordinators coordinate Research Deliverable activities and report to their WP Coordinator.  They are responsible for monitoring research progress within the RD against agreed and timetabled activities/deliverables/events and report to the Work Programme Management Group.