Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science, James Lawless TD, has appointed Professor Neil Rowan to the newly established National Science Advice Forum (NSAF).
The forum is comprised of 12 distinguished academics and practitioners internationally recognised for their expertise across a broad range of disciplines. The NSAF is designed to provide multi-disciplinary advice to the Government on complex scientific challenges.
Speaking on his appointment, Professor Neil Rowan said: “I am honoured to be appointed to new National Science Advice Forum (NSAF) for Ireland, announced by Minister James Lawless. I am humbled to be joining such a distinguished panel of global experts, where we will provide cross-sectoral, multi-disciplinary advice to help the government respond to complex challenges that will inform strategic policies.
“It is a privilege to leverage my three decades of applied expertise and wonderful experiences with stakeholders and end-users to enable and advance the innovation nexus between public health, biotechnology, agriculture, food safety and digital transformation.
“It was a pleasure to have helped review some 18,000 ideas from communities as part of the foundational ‘Creating our Future’ initiative for the then Science Foundation Ireland. Additionally, I look forward to contributing to informing strategic policies for government particularly addressing priority developments and plausible solutions for medtech, pharma, food safety and security, and the emerging bioeconomy..
Professor Vincent Cunnane, President of TUS, congratulated Prof. Rowan, stating: “This appointment is a testament to Neil’s world-leading expertise and our university’s commitment to delivering impactful research. As a dedicated mentor and researcher, Neil embodies the TUS value of being collaborative—connecting knowledge with policy for the benefit of our region and beyond”.
Membership will be for a period of three years, and participation in the forum is voluntary.
Professor Rowan joins a panel that includes experts from Trinity College Dublin, University College Cork, and the University of Cambridge. The forum will be chaired by the Government Science Advisor, Professor Aoife McLysaght.