Expert joins panel advising Scottish Government

Researcher appointed to Scottish Scientific Advisory Council, to support work of national Chief Scientific Adviser.

A specialist in veterinary public health from the Global Academy of Agriculture and Food Systems has been appointed to a panel of experts which supports the Chief Scientific Adviser for Scotland’s work with ministers.

Professor Lisa Boden will bring expertise in population medicine and veterinary public health to the work of the Scottish Scientific Advisory Council (SSAC). 

In addition to her position at the Global Academy, Professor Boden is Director of Impact and Policy for Scottish Government’s Centre of Expertise on Animal Disease Outbreaks (EPIC), which supports policymakers with regard to managing incidents of animal disease.

Professor Boden is joined as a newly appointed member of SSAC by her colleague Professor Bruce Whitelaw, an expert in animal biotechnology from the Roslin Institute, which is also part of the Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies.

Other experts from across the University of Edinburgh are among 12 newly appointed members of the SSAC.

Independent experts

Members will serve for three years, providing independent advice, through the SSAC Chair, to the Chief Scientific Adviser Professor Julie Fitzpatrick.

Their efforts will inform policy development and delivery across all areas of the Scottish Government’s work.

The SSAC also supports the work of the Chief Scientist (Health), Professor Dame Anna Dominiczak, and the Chief Scientific Adviser for Environment, Natural Resources and Agriculture, Professor Mat Williams.

The Vet School is also represented in the Scottish Government by Professor David Gally, who is Professor of Microbial Genetics at the Roslin Institute and Chief Scientific Advisor at Food Standards Scotland.

Our new members and associates bring a wealth of expertise and experience to the SSAC, putting us in a strong position to provide expert science advice across a broad range of areas, adding value to the Scottish Government’s work.

It is important that policy decisions reflect the best, up-to-date expertise available on specialist issues and I am pleased to be able to add my input to that of others around the country in supporting the work of the Chief Scientific Adviser.

Related links

Scottish Science Advisory Council

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