Science strategy
Tuesday 5 January 2010
The Agency's science strategy describes how we will use science to support our policy aims and objectives, whether through accessing established information, expertise and advice, or through generating new information by funding specific studies.
The science strategy informs and supports the priority areas of work highlighted in the Agency's Strategic Plan 2005-2010, and other key areas that underpin our day to day business. It also describes the scientific evidence needs in each of the Agency's main areas of work. Our centrally-funded research and survey portfolio is divided into six themes, which support our key areas of work and strategic objectives:
- Food safety: foodborne illness
- Food safety: TSEs (Transmissible Spongiform Encephalopathies)
- Food safety: chemical and radiological risks
- Eating for health
- Choice
- Underpinning delivery (this theme covers cross-cutting issues such as economics research, data quality and food law enforcement)
In addition, our office in Scotland commissions and manages research and surveys to address issues particularly relevant to Scottish (rather than UK-wide) interests.
The science strategy also covers how the Agency will identify and obtain the scientific evidence it needs and ensure that it is used properly and openly to inform the Agency's policies and advice. It highlights a number of areas in which the Agency intends to develop and improve its science, including governance, horizon-scanning, communication, collaborative working, and improving access to, and use of, the social sciences to support delivery of its aims across all activities. It also sets indicators of success that the Agency will use to monitor and evaluate progress.
The science strategy for 2010 to 2015
The Agency's new science and evidence strategy for 2010 to 2015 will describe the priorities for the evidence we will need, and the activities we will carry out, to ensure we obtain and use science and evidence effectively in our work. It will support the delivery of the Agency's strategic plan, test our progress and inform development of our work beyond this period.
The strategy is being developed using input from:
- the formal consultation on the Agency's Strategic Plan 2010 to 2015, which included our needs for science, evidence and analysis
- the General Advisory committee on Science (GACS)
- the Agency's science review
- a stakeholder workshop and internal workshop of the Agency’s science and evidence needs
The draft strategy will be presented to the FSA Board at its open meeting in December 2009.
UK cross-government strategy for food research and innovation
The UK cross-government strategy for food research and innovation, which was published in January 2010, sets out how the Government plans to maximise the contribution of research and innovation to meeting its goals on food, providing stronger links between research activities across the public sector.
It does not set out to replace or replicate the Agency's research strategy, but aims to draw more strongly on the links between different research funders and provide a framework for focussing on cross-cutting issues where collaboration is beneficial. The strategy can be viewed on the GO-Science website at the link below.
Further information
For further information on the Agency's science strategy contact:
Dr Patrick Miller
Chief Scientist Team
Food Standards Agency
Aviation House
125 Kingsway
London WC2B 6NH
Tel: 020 7276 8277
Email: patrick.miller@foodstandards.gsi.gov.uk
Related links
External links The Food Standards Agency has no responsibility for the content of external websites
See also
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