People and Talent Strategy Advisory Panel

The People and Talent Strategy Advisory Panel (PAT SAP) has a focus on attracting and developing a flexible, diverse workforce for modern bioscience.

It is responsible for developing and maintaining Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC) policies to support the supply of people trained in bioscience disciplines for careers in research and innovation and in support of a scientifically articulate workforce for the wider economy.

Terms of reference

The panel provides advice on a range of issues, in particular:

the talent ecosystem, ensuring an appropriate flow of talented people into bioscience training and professional development for the benefit of research communities and the wider economy
postgraduate training and development
research teams, including postdoctoral researchers, technicians, research leadership in support of health and productive research environments
research culture, including equality, diversity and inclusion within the biosciences
the movement of creative bioscientists and their ideas, knowledge and expertise between sectors of research and the economy

Panel membership 2026

Professor Jerry Roberts (Chair), University of Plymouth
Dr Catherine Jopling, University of Nottingham
Dr Mary Doherty, Industrial Biotechnology Innovation Centre
Dr James Henstock, Northumbria University
Professor Karen Halliday, The University of Edinburgh
Dr Clare Stevenson, John Innes Centre
Professor Jon Lane, University of Bristol
Professor Fiona Ducottered, Alzheimer’s research UK institute UCL Drug Discovery
Mr Adrian Smith, Unilever

Previous meeting dates

Contact

Dr Kieran Moulton

Kieran.Moulton@bbsrc.ukri.org

Last updated: 23 February 2026