The Science and Innovation Advisory Committee, (formerly Science Committee), provides deep environmental research and innovation expertise and advice to the NERC Executive Team.
The Science and Innovation Advisory Committee provides advice on:
- How to support an excellent and sustainable UK environmental science community that seizes opportunities, in UKRI and international contexts, to achieve the following goals:
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- to advance the frontiers of knowledge
- to address government, UKRI and NERC strategic priorities
- to deliver beneficial economic and social impacts
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- Priority areas for future rounds of NERC strategic research and innovation investment.
- Environmental science priorities for the UKRI Infrastructures Roadmap, and for NERC capital investment.
- Commissioning, effectiveness and performance of NERC investments.
Members
- Professor Alastair Lewis, National Centre for Atmospheric Science, University of York
- Dr Ekbal Hussain, British Geological Survey
- Professor Jane Hill, University of York
- Professor Caroline Lear, Cardiff University
- Professor Ian Main, The University of Edinburgh
- Dr Theresa Mercer, Cranfield University
- Professor Stefan Reis, German Aerospace Centre – Project Management Agency
- Professor Daniela Schmidt, University of Bristol
- Professor Marian Scott, University of Glasgow
- Professor David Topping, The University of Manchester
- Dr Glenn Watts, UK Centre for Ecology & Hydrology (UKCEH)
Conflict of interest register for the committee.
Meetings
NERC Science Committee meeting agendas and summaries.
Meetings in 2025
- 4 to 5 March 2025
- 2 to 3 July 2025
- 15 to 16 October 2025
NERC Science and Innovation Advisory meetings in 2026
- 21 to 22 January 2026
- 29 to 30 April 2026
- 8 to 9 July 2026 (hold dates, will have a virtual meeting if required)
- 14 to 15 October 2026
Minutes and agendas from previous meetings on the UK Government Web Archive.