Defra Appoint Science Advisory Council
24 August 2011
Defra has made several appointments to the Science Advisory Council (SAC), including CIWM member, Judith Petts
CIWM member Judith Petts has been appointed to the SAC
CIWM's deputy chief executive Chris Murphy said: "Professor Judith Petts, Dean of the Faculty of Social and Human Sciences at the University of Southampton and a long standing members of CIWM has been appointed to Defra's Science Advisory Council (SAC).
The SAC provides support to Defra's Chief Scientific Adviser (CSA) so that he can challenge and promote the use of evidence in policy making within Defra. The SAC helps to ensure that the evidence programme is fit for purpose and ensures validity in Defra's policies. She joins a number of other eminent professors with expertise covering the wide policy brief within Defra."
Judith's research has focused on environmental risk governance and response to environmental and health hazards in areas such as climate change,energy, waste management, land contamination, natural hazards, and health and wellbeing.
Professor Petts holds one other Ministerial appointment as a member of Sciencewise Expert Resource Centre Steering Group.
Other Appointments
Seven other members have also been appointed - Professors Ian Bateman, Louise Heathwaite, Peter Liss, Quintin McKellar, Peter Smith, Lynda Warren and Professor Christopher Gilligan.
The appointments will run from 1 August 2011 to 31 July 2014 and have have been made in accordance with guidance issued by the Office for the Commissioner for Public Appointments (OCPA).
The Science Advisory Council is a non-departmental public body that was reconstituted last year following an independent review of Defra's scientific bodies.
The Chair will take responsibility for the operation and output of SAC, supported by Council members.
Darrel Moore
