Skip to main content

Appointment to Natural England’s Science Advisory Committee

Category
Member news
Date
smiling woman.
Professor Julia Martin-Ortega, Associate Director water@leeds.

We are delighted to congratulate Professor Julia Martin-Ortega, Associate Director for water@leeds, who has been appointed to Natural England's Science Advisory Committee (NESAC).

NESAC provides high-quality independent scientific advice, challenge and review to Natural England’s Science, Evidence and Analysis functions and works to strengthen its relationship with the wider scientific community.

On her appointment, Julia said:

After three years serving on its Social Sciences Expert Panel, it feels like real progress that social sciences are now an integral part of its main science advisory body. I am looking forward to working with outstanding colleagues to provide independent advice, and challenge and review of Natural England’s Science and Evidence functions.

Julia will contribute to the committee's responsibilities to:

  • Provide advice and steer to the Natural England Board on the integrity and relevance of Natural England’s science and evidence.
  • Provide advice and challenge on Natural England’s plans for pieces of work in novel or contested areas of science; on the rationale and methods for proposed studies; and to the emerging findings of specific pieces of research.
  • Provide post hoc analysis, and comment, on the success of methodologies and approaches Natural England have applied.
  • Provide assurance that internal peer review and external QA processes adopted are robust and identify where needed, suitably qualified reviewers that might be approached to undertake external quality assurance/peer review.
  • Provide a strategic external perspective to support Natural England’s futures and horizon scanning work.
  • Act as an external champion for Natural England’s science and evidence; helping to forge links and partnerships with the wider scientific community.

Julia is expected to serve for at least three years, attending up to four meetings per year. She will also attend and contribute to relevant Natural England events, such as NESAC Science Seminars, NE Science to Delivery conferences and workshops.