Newcastle University

The role of the Science Advisory Committee is to:

• Provide advice on the integrity and relevance of Natural England’s overall evidence programme, prospective research and monitoring and plans for particular pieces of work
• Challenge proposed methodologies and emerging findings of research carried out
• Provide post hoc analysis and comment on research
• Provide peer review of the evidence programme
• Provide review on the quality assurance processes
• Help identify reviewers to carry out quality assurance of research

Natural England is an Executive Non-departmental Public Body responsible to the UK government’s Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs. Its purpose is to protect and improve England’s natural environment and encourage people to enjoy and get involved in their surroundings.  This includes all urban, country and coastal landscapes across the country.  Natural England works with people such as farmers, planners, researchers and scientists, and the general public on a range of schemes and initiatives to consider all organisms within these landscapes.