STFC Advisory Committee selection process

Appointments to STFC committees and panels

The STFC web page Introduction to Research Programme Planning describes how the definition and delivery of the Science and Technology Facilities Council programme is aided by a range of advisory, peer-review, coordinating, steering and management committees.

A key feature of this process is the appointment of advisory committees of experts, drawn mainly from universities and industry, to help STFC decide how to achieve its objectives and which major projects should be funded.

The principles governing appointments

The Nolan Committee on Standards in Public Life laid down a set of principles concerning appointments to public bodies. Although the full impact of these principles strictly applies only to the selection procedure for members of its Council, STFC considers that the spirit of the Nolan recommendations should also be applied to its main advisory panels and peer review committees with influence over decisions on funding.

The STFC process

In deciding the membership of its advisory committees and specialist panels, STFC consults widely with its community on an on-going basis through the STFC web site. The community is reminded about the call for nominations from time to time through letters, newsletters and other publications. We also invite nominations and seek advice from our Council members and others.

The factors

The principle of selection based on merit is the key factor when deciding on STFC committee membership. In this context, merit relates to the high professional standing of the nominees, their experience of working in areas that are relevant to STFC and their abilities as committee members. We then consider whether the nominees have:

1. the appropriate scientific or technical expertise for the vacant appointment, in terms of the function of the committee and of the expertise provided by the other members (so that we have the right balance with no gaps or unnecessary duplication)
   
   
2. the relevant experience (e.g. of working abroad, in industry, in a large group or in a small group, in collaboration with other groups or other agencies, or of serving on STFC and non-STFC committees and so on). For example, the Chair would normally have previous committee experience
   
   
3. the time to do the job effectively, and/or whether we are in danger over using a person in our committee system
   
   
4. appropriate links with other bodies. For example, we might want cross membership with other STFC Committees or someone who had direct links into other organizations
   
   
5. any possible conflicts of interest

Weight is also given to achieving the right balance of scientific expertise and geographical representation on individual committees and on occasions we might seek an international member to provide an external perspective. At the same time we consider the needs of succession planning, i.e. whether the appointment at committee level could provide valuable experience for potential appointment to the Science Board / Council.

The nomination and selection process is undertaken in line with Council's policy on equal opportunities.

The selection process

Membership of the standing committees and panels is reviewed annually, when STFC considers the nominations and also the suitability for committee membership of individuals other than those nominated. The Committee Secretaries drive the process, collating nominations and discussing these with the Chair of the relevant body, the relevant STFC Director, the Chief Executive and appropriate members of Council.

Each year the community is invited to make nominations for membership of STFC’s peer-review and advisory bodies on which vacancies are shortly to arise. Following the close of the call for nominations, the following process is adopted:

1. Short listing: using the list of nominations (but not confined to it) of a shortlist of names for each vacancy by means of discussions between STFC staff in consultation with the committee chair and, if required, others
   
   
2. Convene selection panels for each committee: discussion of the shortlist with a selection panel that advises STFC on priorities within the shortlist, but does not have authority to add to the list. For Committees that report to the Council the Director Science Programmes chairs the selection panel which comprises the Chief Executive, Chief operating officer, Science Strategy Coordinator, Chair of the Committee plus an appropriate member of Council. For Committees that report to the Science Board, and those that advise the Office on the award of funds, the Committee Secretary leads the sifting panel that comprises the Chair of the Committee concerned plus appropriate STFC representatives
   
   
3. Interviews of Chairs and Deputy Chairs: in the case of appointing a Chair, an interview panel comprising STFC representatives and representatives from the committee to which they will report is convened. For a deputy Chair where a Chair is still in existence, the interview panel will also include the Chair of the committee. Interviews are arranged at a mutually convenient date
   
   
4. Recommendations to Council: The committee membership is finalised in discussion with the Selection panel and a recommendation list for Council is prepared. Recommendations (with reserves) are discussed with the Chief Executive and passed to Council for approval
   
   
5. Informing new members: Following Council approval new members are sent appointment letters with a finance package, code of conduct information and list of meeting dates

This selection process began in January and will be completed in June, allowing formal letters of appointment to be issued in July or August.

Oversight of the process

The process is overseen by the Chief Executive and reported to Council.

Call for nominations

With this in mind, STFC invites nominations from its community to its committees. Information about STFC's committees is available. Candidates may be nominated by Heads of Departments, by a colleague or by self-nomination. The call for nominations is an on-going process throughout the year and nominations may be sent in at any time. We issue reminders about the call for nominations from time to time and re-set the system after the completion of the selection process, each year.

Information about nominees (not more than the equivalent of one side of A4) should include the following information:

1. which committee(s) they are being nominated for
2. the nominee's scientific areas of research and interests
3. the nominees qualities, including academic/industrial background knowledge of the committees subject area
4. nominee's experience of serving on STFC and non-STFC committees
5. any possible conflicts of interest
6. justification as to nominee's suitability to sit on the suggested committee(s)

If you wish to nominate yourself or a colleague, please complete our online form. Alternatively, please complete a Word proforma (Word document - 181kB - link opens in a new window) and email it to the Science Strategy Group.

The Science Strategy Group will contact those individuals nominated in order to give them the opportunity to withdraw the nomination. All nominees will be informed of the outcome of consideration.

If you have any queries on this process, please contact:

Dr Victoria Wright
Science Strategy Co-ordinator
Tel: + 44 (0)1793 442 082