2024 marks the 60th anniversary of the appointment of the first Government Chief Scientific Adviser (GCSA), Sir Solly Zuckerman.
After several roles in government, in 1960, Sir Solly became Chief Scientific Adviser to the Secretary of State for Defence, and in October 1964, Chief Scientific Adviser to the government.
Since Solly Zuckerman, there have been 13 GCSAs, with expertise ranging from medicine to ecology, biology to metallurgy. The role has evolved considerably over the years, especially in the 1980s, when it became a full-time position. The demand for science advice has grown substantially over the decades, meaning that the GCSA is serving ever more in response mode to ministers and their departments. The GCSA has been at the centre of some of the biggest events of our time, from climate change to nuclear incidents, to disease outbreaks and pandemics.
To mark the anniversary, we have produced an anniversary booklet, with further information about the role and those that have filled it over the last 60 years.
We asked GCSA’s past and present to reflect on their time in the role.
Government Chief Scientific Adviser Professor Dame Angela McLean 2023 – present
Today, as the 14th GCSA, I am proud to continue the legacy of my predecessors. And our mission at GO-Science remains steadfast: to put excellent science advice at the heart of decision making
You can hear more from Dame Angela below.
here.
Sir Robin Nicholson, GCSA 1982-1985
The time of my service as GCSA was marked by an upsurge of interest in the use of science and technology to understand global events such as climate change, energy conservation, deforestation, agricultural development, economic change. I regard my greatest achievement as the application of top-quality science and technology to the understanding of worldwide phenomena which shape the world and determine its economic and social future.
Sir David King, GCSA 2000-2007
Over my period as Government Chief Scientific Adviser, I made many trips to different countries, particularly in Africa, for which I was promoting aid to help develop Science and Innovation there. I also visited the eight countries of the G8 under the Science Adviser/Science Ministers G8 Carnegie group annual meetings, one of which I chaired, in 2007. I used these meetings to push for action on climate change and infectious disease control in particular.
Sir John Beddington, GCSA 2008-2013
The main delight of the role was twofold. The first, the opportunity to push for evidence as the key to sound policy. The second, to work with my colleagues across government and beyond to address key challenges and their potential solutions. My achievements are similarly twofold, persuading government to appoint Chief Scientific Advisers in all the main departments of state and to set up the Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies (SAGE).
Sir Mark Walport, GCSA 2013-2017
What I enjoyed most about being GCSA was the ability to act as an interface between scientists, engineers and technologists and the government to provide advice on a wide range of issues. My most successful achievements were in raising attention to a series of issues of national resilience, one example being on the availability of position, navigation and timing signals, on which much of our critical national infrastructure depends.
Sir Chris Whitty, Chief Medical Officer, GCSA 2012-2018 (interim)
The Government Chief Scientific Adviser (GCSA) is fortunate to cover every aspect of science, social science and engineering used to benefit the public. This is most obvious during emergencies where science is often central – for example, as interim GCSA, I had the Salisbury Novichok poisonings – but excellent science underpins much of the best day-to-day government policy and operational work. The GCSA also leads and speaks for scientists in government, and is a bridge between external scientists and government.
Lord Vallance of Balham, Minister of State for Science, GCSA 2018-2023
Solly Zuckerman was the first GCSA and the role has grown and adapted ever since. It has also been taken up by other governments around the world. Having a senior external scientist to provide advice directly to the Prime Minister and Cabinet is essential for modern government.
