Barroso benoemt wetenschappelijke adviseur (en)

European Commission - Press release

Brussels, 05 December 2011 - President Barroso has today appointed the Commission's first Chief Scientific Advisor, Professor Anne Glover. Professor Glover will provide high-level and independent scientific advice throughout all stages of policy development and delivery. The Chief Scientific Advisor will provide advice directly to the President, and will give regular updates on major scientific and technological developments.

President Barroso said: "I am delighted to appoint Professor Anne Glover to the post of Chief Scientific Advisor. I believe her outstanding background and calibre will bring invaluable expertise to the Commission. She has a strong track record in leading the Scottish Science Advisory Committee which made her the standout candidate for this post."

Background

President Barroso announced his intention to appoint a Chief Scientific Advisor in a speech to the European Parliament on 15 September 2009. President Barroso has personally interviewed a range of candidates for the post. Professor Anne Glover will report directly to the President. Administrative support to the Chief scientific Advisor will be provided by the Bureau of European Policy Advisors (BEPA).

The functions of the Chief Scientific Advisor will be as follows:

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  To provide independent expert advice on any aspect of science, technology and innovation as requested by the President;

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  Upon a request by the President, to provide analysis and opinion on major policy proposals being submitted to the College touching upon issues of science, technology and innovation; in particular the Chief Scientific Advisor will provide authoritative guidance on interpretation of scientific evidence in presence of uncertainty, and will be involved in strategic emergency planning;

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  To build relationships with high-level advisory groups (e.g. European Research Area Board), the scientific Committees of the Commission, the EU agencies (European Medicine Agency, European Food Safety Authority, the European Chemicals Agency and the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control), the European Group on Ethics in Science and New Technologies;

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  To build relationships with similar structures in Member States and other countries;

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  To advise on novel science, technology and innovation issues arising both in the context of the EU and internationally; to serve as an early warning conduct point on issues that might arise when scientific progress entails either opportunity or threat for the EU;

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  To communicate the scientific values on which specific Commission proposals are based in order to enhance public confidence in science and technology, and in general to promote European culture of science and technology widely within Europe and abroad.

Professor Anne Glover served as Chief Scientific Advisor for Scotland from August 2006 to December 2011. Professor Glover holds a Personal Chair of Molecular and Cell Biology at the University of Aberdeen, and has honorary positions at the Rowett and Macaulay Institutes. She is an elected Fellow of the Royal Society of Edinburgh, a member of the Natural Environment Research Council, and a Fellow of the American Academy of Microbiology.