The Welsh Assembly Government consulted on A Science Policy for Wales from January to March 2006. The consultation proposed three areas upon which a science policy focussed on innovation should concentrate:
- Health
- Low Carbon Economy
- Enabling Sustained Social and Economic Renewal
A review of this policy is expected to be completed during 2011.
In Wales, universities have a key and pivotal role in delivering the science, innovation and skilled people which are important in enabling economic, social and cultural success. Wales needs to attract and retain academic talent of international standing. Universities have academic autonomy to choose their priorities but there is strong support for activities in the three priority areas. This autonomy is an important and highly regarded feature of UK higher education.
Further details are available in the 2006 Science Policy for Wales.
Chief Scientific Adviser for Wales
The Chief Scientific Adviser for Wales, a civil service appointment, is Professor John Harries who took up his post in May 2010. Previously, he was the Professor of Earth Observation at the Blackett Laboratory of Imperial College London and a President of the Royal Meteorological Society. The Chief Scientific Adviser’s role is to provide scientific advice to the First Minister and the Welsh Assembly Government, to promote science, technology, engineering and mathematics and the role of science within the wider knowledge economy.
Professor John Harries announced the inaugural appointments to the Science Advisory Council for Wales (SACW) on 22 November 2010. The Council is an independent advisory group of experts with no statutory or financial responsibilities. It will report and provide advice to the Chief Scientific Adviser for Wales on a full range of science, technology, engineering and mathematics issues.