Academy briefs UK representatives on science advice for governments

The Academy has briefed two of the UK's leading science policy advisers during a recent visit to Australia.

Director of the UK’s Parliamentary Office of Science and Technology (POST), Dr Chris Tyler, visited the Academy to gain insight into the Australian science advisory system and how science advice is incorporated into parliamentary processes. Dr Tyler was accompanied by Dr Svetozar Kovačević from the UK Science and Innovation Network at the British High Commission Canberra. Dr Tyler met with the Academy’s Secretary Science Policy Professor Les Field, along with Chief Executive Officer Dr Sue Meek, Director International Programs Nancy Pritchard, and Senior Policy Officer Dr Peter Thomas.

Dr Tyler was interested in receiving an overview of the Australian science advisory system at both the federal and state level. In particular, he learned about the parliamentary processes of scrutiny, debate and legislation and how science advice is incorporated into those processes, and the academic underpinning for science advisory activities and structures.

While in Australia, Dr Tyler also met with Academy President Professor Andrew Holmes to compare the Australian and UK science advisory systems. Dr Tyler said he was impressed by the Academy’s dedication to science policy in Australia.