March 2009
STFC Council has recently appointed three new members to the Science Board:
- Professor Tim Wess, Cardiff University
- Professor Neville Greaves, Aberystwyth University
- Professor Neville Harnew, University of Oxford
Science Board held their most recent business meeting on 11th-12th March 2009 at Daresbury Laboratory. Science Board’s business included their ongoing work in prioritising future science and technology opportunities, including a review of the status and prospects of the various subject areas and types of facilities supported by STFC. The review will continue through to the next meeting in May.
Science Board received a presentation on health and ageing from Sir Leszek Borysiewicz and Dr Wendy Ewart from the Medical Research Council. Science Board discussed the implications of the presentation for the STFC science and technology strategy and began to identify areas where the MRC and STFC could work together.
Science Board received updates on the development of the Science and Technology Strategy and the Gateway Centres. Whilst at Daresbury, the Board took the opportunity to visit ALICE, a superconducting linear accelerator. During the tour of the facility, the Board were given the opportunity to talk to engineers and scientists about the research and development programme.
Science Board received reports from the chair of PPAN and chair of PALS.
Since the last meeting of Science Board, PPAN has met twice, on 27th-28th January 2009 and 5th-6th March 2009. At their January meeting, PPAN considered two statements of interest: LUX-Zeplin, a direct dark matter detection proposal and LHCb Upgrades at CERN. PPAN received three reports from PPRP regarding the European Extremely Large Telescope (EELT) design study; prepSKA – the design study for the Square Kilometre Array (SKA); and LOFAR – low frequency array. PPAN recommended funding levels within the planning lines for E-ELT and prepSKA. Science Board agreed to discuss long term funding for E-ELT and SKA at a future meeting. PPAN also discussed the outcome of the CLOVER Review Panel and received a presentation on the European Astronet roadmap exercise.
At their March meeting, PPAN considered three statements of interest:
- NA62 experiment at CERN;
- UKIRT planet finder instrument; and
- NG1dF instrument for the Anglo-Australian Telescope
They received a PPRP report on HIELINAC superconducting linear accelerator. PPAN met and had discussions with the Chairs of the new Advisory Panels and the Chair of the Particle Physics Grants Panel. PPAN also received a report on the Review of the Cockcroft and John Adams Accelerator Institutes.
PALS met on 25-26 February 2009 and their meeting included a visit to ISIS and Diamond. The visits to facilities have given PALS the opportunity to continue their engagement with facility directors. PALS received updates on the Facility Research and Development Programme and the Next Generation Facilities Studentships. PALS also discussed the status of the New Light Source and next generation neutron sources. At their last meeting, PALS discussed the Vulcan 10PW upgrade and recommended that the upgrade should be funded. Science Board endorsed the PALS recommendation regarding the Vulcan 10PW Upgrade and also recommended that there should not be any provision for growth in operations costs.
The next meeting of Science Board will be 20th-21st May 2009.
Page last updated: 14 April 2009
by John Womersley
