Add new comment

Last week I was touring various parts of the UK– on Tuesday I was at our office in Aberdeen, talking to scientists about Continuing Professional Development.  On Thursday I was at Leeds Castle in Kent with the Agency’s Chair and Deputy Chair and the Chairs of our independent Scientific Advisory Committees (SACs) for our annual event. It is a chance for the Chairs to share experiences of providing scientific advice to the Agency, carry out horizon scanning activities as well as sharing best practices.

Present at dinner were Professor Paul Wiles, who has recently been appointed as the Government’s Chief Social Scientist, and Dr Jane Barrett our Head of Social Science to discuss how our new Social Science Research Committee (SSRC) can contribute to the work of the SACs and be a champion for consumers.

I was delighted that Paul could join us at this event - he brings real insights as he is also the Chief Scientific Advisor at the Home Office, responsible for social research, science and technology development, economic analysis and modeling and horizon scanning, and statistics. Paul led a lively discussion about the contribution social science can play in policy making, drawing on examples such as tackling binge drinking which has some parallels with the problem of obesity. This just confirmed to me just how much we need to draw upon knowledge from the social as well as natural sciences to bring about further improvements in public health aspects of food.

As well as bringing a social science perspective to a range of the Agency’s work areas we will rely on the SSRC to keep us in touch with relevant social science activity both in the UK and internationally, and to draw on wider expertise to help us as appropriate. If you think you got what it takes to be a member of SSRC then why not apply? An application pack can be downloaded from the website (SSRC).