Context
The Natural Environment Research Council (NERC) is the UK’s leading public funder of environmental science. We work with UKRI-central and other UKRI councils, our research centres, higher education institutions and eligible research organisations, government, civil society and business.
Together, we shape the direction of environmental research and innovation, fund cutting-edge discovery science and targeted research and innovation (R&I), and provide the training, skills and infrastructure the UK needs to remain at the forefront of environmental science and the growth of a greener economy.
Purpose and scope
The Science and Innovation Advisory Committee provides deep environmental R&I expertise, challenge, and advice to the NERC Executive Team (NET).
The committee will provide advice to NET to:
- support excellent and sustainable UK environmental R&I capacity and capabilities able to seize opportunities, in the UK and international contexts, to achieve the following goals: advance the frontiers of knowledge across the environmental sciences, inform environmental science R&I to support UKRI strategic priorities and consider approaches to capture the beneficial economic, environmental and social impacts
- inform NERC investments, especially for x-UKRI alignment where environmental R&I will be important for successful delivery of intended outcomes
- support embedding, evaluating and evolving effective innovation and commercialisation pathways across relevant NERC investments
- explore and support evaluation of innovations in approaches to conduct research to support environmental R&I and careers in the UK
Membership
The Science and Innovation Committee consists of a non-executive Chair and up to 12 other members.
Members will declare any personal, private or commercial interests that might conflict with the interests of NERC, and must withdraw from any discussion of topics in which they have such an interest.
Membership will reflect stakeholder interests, expertise requirements and diversity of talent across the breadth of NERC’s investment portfolio, including:
- environmental research disciplines and innovation applications
- environmental research and innovation delivery communities
- environmental research and innovation user communities, including business and policy
- knowledge of the international landscape
- subject matter expertise, and wider knowledge of, the environmental R&I system, or other experience of benefit to NERC’s mission
The NERC Executive Chair and NERC Directors (as appropriate to the agenda) will attend as ex officio members.
Additional experts may be invited to participate as required for specific activities, topics or meetings.
Appointment of members
Members will normally be appointed for a three-year period. Appointments will be staggered to maintain continuity of knowledge.
Science and Innovation Advisory Committee members are appointed by the NERC Executive in line with HMT and Cabinet Office guidance, taking account of best practice in equality, diversity and inclusion. It is strongly encouraged to also consider geographical diversity when recruiting members.
All Science and Innovation Advisory Committee members and other invited attendees should uphold the seven principles of public life:
- selflessness
- integrity
- objectivity
- accountability
- openness
- honesty
- leadership
Quoracy
The quorum for a Science and Innovation Advisory Committee meeting is at least half the number of its members, or half of members plus one if the committee has odd numbers. Members can be deemed to be in attendance via live tele or video conferencing as appropriate. Proceedings will not have any effect for any part or whole of a meeting that was not quorate.
Modus operandi
The Science and Innovation Advisory Committee will meet three or four times a year in a regular programme with ad hoc contributions as required, for example to join ‘Task and Finish’ groups.
Commensurate with its purpose, Science and Innovation Advisory Committee meeting agendas will be forward-looking to ensure timely advice to inform strategic decisions by NET. The Committee will advise on future meeting agendas, which will be agreed by the responsible NERC Director with the Chair of the Committee and reviewed by NERC Executive to ensure alignment with NERC Council agendas.
Members will commit time to attend regular meetings, read meeting papers, consider issues outside regular meetings, and to contribute to working groups outside regular meetings. The total time commitment for Science and Innovation Advisory Committee members is expected to be up to 17 days each year.
Members are expected to conduct themselves in a way that ensures that UKRI’s business is carried out efficiently and effectively, and to adhere to the highest standards of professional and ethical practice.
Members are expected to comply with the Cabinet Office Code of Conduct for Board Members of Public Bodies, which covers conduct in the role and includes adherence to the Seven Principles of Public Life (Nolan Principles), as well as rules relating to the use of public funds and to conflicts of interest. They should adhere to the 12 Principles of Governance for all Public Body Non-Executive Directors, and ensure they are familiar with any applicable guidance on the role of public sector non-executive directors and boards that may be issued from time to time by the Cabinet Office, HM Treasury or wider government.
Relevant policies and guidance
Key UKRI policies of relevance are:
- UKRI declaration of interests
- gifts and hospitality
- modern slavery and human trafficking
- whistleblowing
- health and safety
- equality, diversity and inclusion
- UKRI business expense claims, business travel and subsistence policy
- UKRI staff code of conduct
These policies have been developed primarily with UKRI staff in mind, therefore not all sections will be relevant to Science and Innovation Committee members.
Other useful sources of guidance are:
- principles of scientific advice to government (GOV.UK)
- universal ethical code for scientists (GOV.UK)
Reporting and engagement
The Science and Innovation Advisory Committee will provide advice to the NERC Executive Team (NET), and its terms of reference will be approved by NET. To facilitate reporting and engagement:
- the Science and Innovation Advisory Committee Chair will attend Council meetings as an observer
- Science and Innovation Advisory Committee members may be invited to attend the annual Council retreat
- Council members are welcome to attend SIAC meetings
The NERC Executive will facilitate business planning and engagement between the Science and Innovation Advisory Committee, Council and the Executive, to be led by the relevant NERC Director. The committee will also engage with other NERC Directors responsible for relevant business areas, policies, budgets and investments.
Committee secretariat
The Science and Innovation Advisory Committee will be supported by a secretariat provided by NERC.
Review of terms of reference
This document will be reviewed regularly, taking account of NERC governance, policy and strategy.