The UK Space Agency has issued a call for nominations to bolster its key Science Advisory Committee, seeking up to eight new members with diverse expertise from academia and industry. This committee plays a crucial role in shaping the UK's strategic direction and involvement in international space science endeavours, influencing funding decisions and project prioritisation.
Charged with providing advice on the overall strategy for the UK's participation in space science, DACS considers factors such as technological advancements, industrial implications, potential spin-off applications for wider society, educational opportunities, and skills development. The committee's recommendations hold significant weight in determining funding allocations and project review processes within the UK Space Agency.
The UK Space Agency is looking to its advisory committee to counsel the UK delegation to the European Space Agency's (ESA) Science Programme Committee (SPC), helping to formulate the UK's positions for SPC meetings. DACS also identifies broader opportunities and benefits that can emerge from the space science programme, impacting both the industrial and academic communities across the UK.
Candidates should possess experience with international space programmes, such as those run by ESA or NASA, alongside a comprehensive understanding of the UK's research and development landscape and knowledge of the political and strategic challenges inherent in national and international space work. Scientific expertise in a space science-related discipline, excluding life sciences, is also essential.
The selection process will aim to achieve balance across the committee's membership, considering factors such as gender, career stage, scientific, technical, and management expertise, and institutional representation. The agency has pledged its commitment to fostering an inclusive culture, valuing diversity as a means to drive innovation and improve decision-making. Membership terms are for two years, with quarterly meetings typically held; the next scheduled DACS meeting after the nomination deadline is 29 May 2025.