1. Glimpse of the Future Maggie Gill Director Rural and Environment Research and Analysis Scottish Executive

2. Environment and Rural Research Strategy SEERRS

3. Format  Key trends in SEERRS  Post election vision  Working together – next steps  Take home messages

4. Key trends in SEERRS  Programmes commissioned and cross- cutting themes aimed at fostering closer working between MRPs  New initiatives: e.g. Centres of Excellence and Environment and Health ‘programme’ aimed at strengthening closer working between MRPs and the university sector  Focus on policy relevant strategic/applied research

5. What does policy relevant mean? …….particularly in relation to strategic research?

6. Impact of research on policy Primary pathways by which decisions are shifted are often indirect, and involve improving general understanding of the context in which decisions are taken. Leviton and Hughes, 1981 Evaluation review 4 525-548

7. Factors affecting uptake of evidence by policy-makers  whether research provides a solution to the problem;  relevance of the research;  credibility of the researchers;  use of participatory processes and pilot schemes;  communications strategy;  advocacy Court and Young, 2003 Bridging Research and policy: Insights from 50 Case Studies. ODI Working Paper 213. Start and Hoveland, 2004 Tools for Policy Impact: A Handbook for researchers. ODI

8. Vision of the new government … to create a more successful country, with opportunities for all of Scotland to flourish, through increasing sustainable economic growth.

9. 5 Strategic Objectives to which all Cabinet Secretaries and Ministers are committed: Greener Wealthier and Fairer Smarter Healthier Stronger and safer

10. Wealthier and Fairer – enable businesses and people to increase their wealth and more people to share fairly in that wealth. WEALTHIER & FAIRER New crop varieties Animal Vaccines Environmental technologies Appropriate regulation Employment 5 STRATEGIC OBJECTIVES: Contribution of SEERRS

11. Healthier - help people to sustain and improve their health, especially in disadvantaged communities, ensuring better, local and faster access to health care. HEALTHIER Enhanced understanding of nutrition/health impacts Healthier Scottish food Environment and health Greenspace 5 STRATEGIC OBJECTIVES: Contribution of SEERRS 5 STRATEGIC OBJECTIVES: Contribution of SEERRS

12. Safer and Stronger – help local communities to flourish, becoming stronger, safer places to live, offering improved opportunities and a better quality of life. 5 STRATEGIC OBJECTIVES: Contribution of SEERRS 5 STRATEGIC OBJECTIVES: Contribution of SEERRS and MRPs SAFER AND STRONGER Understanding rural communities Land management and flood prevention Soils and forensics

13. Smarter -Expand opportunities for Scots to succeed from nurture through to life long learning ensuring higher and more widely shared achievements. 5 STRATEGIC OBJECTIVES: Contribution of SEERRS 5 STRATEGIC OBJECTIVES: Contribution of SEERRS SMARTER PhD students Schools programmes Public engagement Enhanced understanding of natural processes

14. Greener - Improve Scotland's natural and built environment and the sustainable use and enjoyment of it. GREENER Sustainable agriculture Protecting carbon in soils Enhanced water quality Biodiversity conserved Landscapes and communities 5 STRATEGIC OBJECTIVES: Contribution of SEERRS 5 STRATEGIC OBJECTIVES: Contribution of SEERRS

15. Five themes from the “Greener” paper, presented to Parliament on13 June 2007  Climate change - mitigation  Sustainable places – clean air, green spaces  People and nature - biodiversity  Consumption and production – transport, food, energy and buildings  People and landscape – living and vibrant communities

16. 1850190019502000 Difference from 1961-1990 long term average IPCC, AR4, WGI (2007) Increases in atmospheric GHG concentrations are leading to pronounced global warming

17. Working together – next steps  Between Main Research Providers  Between MRPs and university sector  Between MRP scientists and Scottish Executive policy-makers

18. RERAD strands of activity Provision of policy evidence Shorter term Policy customer leads demand Projects procured through competition Research Longer term Horizon scanning leads demand Programmes commissioned and peer -reviewed

19. Consultation on next Strategy  SE Environment, Rural and Marine Research Strategy  Will be ‘umbrella’ Strategy for SE and its environment, rural and marine Agencies and NDPBs  2 phases:  Collect evidence on opportunities and requirements under 4 themes  Turn evidence into programmes

20. 4 themes for consultation (phase 1)  Local response to global change  Sustainable communities  Sustainable environments  National Capability

21. RBGE Gateway A glimpse of the future Integrated communication strategies

22. Take home messages  Recognition of different time-scales and ‘language’ between communities of scientists, policy-makers etc  The potential benefits of planning and working together  Emerging issues and scientific opportunities need integrated science approach