EPSRC Council

The Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council’s (EPSRC) Council consists of an executive chair and 12 ordinary members. The executive chair is appointed by the secretary of state, while the ordinary members are appointed by the board. One member of the council is appointed as a senior independent member (SIM), whose role is to support the executive chair and to assure them and the board of the effective operation of the council. The SIM also provides a route to escalate problems and concerns from within the council independently to the chair and the board.

Role of council

The council’s key responsibility is the development, approval and delivery of EPSRC’s strategic delivery plan. The role of council members has three key elements.

1 Support

The council members support and challenge the executive chair to ensure the effective delivery of the council’s mission. In particular, they:

provide guidance, advice and recommendations on research, knowledge exchange, training and innovation and, if required, to the UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) Board, including involvement in international programmes
contribute to the development and implementation of the UKRI strategy, per the Higher Education and Research Act 2017
provide leadership in the development and delivery of the council’s strategic delivery plan.

2 Prioritise funding distribution

The council is involved in allocating funds across disciplines within EPSRC’s field of activity.

3 Encourage collaboration

Council members encourage collaborative working across UKRI councils and the wider research innovation and business community, including civil society and third sector where appropriate, in order to foster strategic relationships.

Council terms of reference

EPSRC is a UKRI committee created under the Higher Education and Research Act 2017, alongside eight other committees known as councils.

Read the full terms of reference for EPSRC’s council.

Protocol

The protocol document sets out the roles and expected contributions of both council and the executive. It serves to support and complement the council’s existing governance arrangements, and provides a framework to guide its conduct and business.

Find out more about council protocol.

Membership

See all members of EPSRC Council.

Declarations of interest

Members of EPSRC’s council must declare any personal, private or commercial interests that might conflict with the interests of EPSRC, and must withdraw from any discussion of topics in which they have such an interest. EPSRC must be kept informed of any changes to members’ conflicts of interest throughout the duration of their appointment.

Declared interests of EPSRC council members: 1 April 2023 to 31 March 2024.

Meetings

Council meeting minutes

See the agenda and minutes of previous EPSRC Council meetings:

Future meetings

EPSRC Council meeting dates are:

1 and 2 March 2023
3 and 4 May 2023
5 and 6 July 2023
4 and 5 October 2023
6 and 7 December 2023

Last updated: 26 May 2023