Ahead of a meeting of scientists and politicians at Stormont, the chief executive of the Royal Society of Chemistry, Dr Robert Parker, has announced that the position of Chief Scientific Adviser in Northern Ireland will be created as outlined in the draft Northern Ireland Innovation Strategy.
Together with the Northern Ireland Assembly All Party Group on Science and Technology, the Royal Society of Chemistry has been leading the charge in demonstrating the necessity for this appointment in Northern Ireland, which is now the only devolved administration in the UK not to benefit from a single line of clear and coherent scientific advice.
According to Dr Parker, the appointment of a CSA will provide Stormont with a champion for science, skills and industry who can support the business and scientific community in Northern Ireland to boost the country's economy.
The Department of Enterprise, Trade and Industry launched its draft Northern Ireland Innovation Strategy for public consultation last month. Under the heading 'Coordinated Approach to Science across Government', the document says: "To have a systematic, coordinated and well-ordered approach to science within the public sector in Northern Ireland, and to reinforce its importance in driving economic growth, we will appoint a Chief Scientific Adviser for Northern Ireland."
The Royal Society of Chemistry conducted its second Science and Stormont event in Belfast on October 14. The meeting brought scientists and engineers together with the members of the Northern Ireland Assembly and Executive to champion innovation as a solution for tackling global healthcare challenges and to strengthen links between the scientific and political communities.
Ahead of her speech at the event, Professor Bernadette Hannigan, Chief Scientific Adviser to the NI Department of Public Health and Social Services, applauded the decision to appoint a CSA for Northern Ireland.
