The FINANCIAL — Issues such as climate change, energy security, food security and a range of public health concerns including obesity and ageing have pushed scientific advice high up the political agenda.
More than ever, expert advice from the natural and social sciences and engineering will be central to efforts to tackle these global challenges.
The Centre for Science and Policy (CSaP) at the University of Cambridge was set up in Summer 2009 to build a network that would strengthen the relationship between policy makers and the extensive expertise in the sciences and engineering that exists in Cambridge and other universities. Based within Cambridge Judge Business School, CSaP acts as a hub for bringing together policy makers and researchers to identify key policy areas and generate new thinking.
“As part of its continuing commitment to bridging the gap between these 'two cultures', CSaP is pleased to announce the appointment of Dr Chris Tyler as its Executive Director. Dr Tyler joins CSaP from the House of Commons, where he has been science adviser to the Science and Technology Select Committee for the past three years. During this time he guided Committee inquiries into scientific advice in government and science funding, and was the architect of the IUSS Committee's major report on engineering. A keen advocate of evidence-based policy, Dr Tyler also pioneered the Science and Technology Committee's 'Evidence Check' programme,” Cambridge Judge Business School informed.
With a broad range of expertise on the relationships between science and policy, and Dr Tyler's advice has been sought internationally, most recently in New Zealand, where he spent April working with the Chief Scientific Adviser to the Prime Minister on a project to improve the use of evidence of policy making. Before the House of Commons, Dr Tyler worked for Sense About Science where he managed and developed the charity's extensive network of scientists and promoted science in public debates on issues as diverse as climate change, chemicals, alternative medicines and nuclear power. Dr Tyler has a degree in anthropology from the University of Durham and a PhD in biological anthropology from the University of Cambridge.
Dr Tyler takes up his post on 5 May 2010. Welcoming the appointment, David Cleevely, CSaP's Founding Director, commented: "Dr Tyler's arrival is a key step in building the network between the scientists and engineers in Cambridge, and the policy makers in Whitehall and Westminster. His experience and his enthusiasm will both be critical in bringing the parties together, and in identifying the issues around which they will engage." Dr Tyler added: "I am delighted to be joining the Centre for Science and Policy. It is no exaggeration to say that our future depends on the relationship between government and science; between policy makers and academics. The Centre will play a vital role in forging these relationships."
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