Chief Scientific Adviser's Unit (CSAU)

Introduction

The Chief Scientific Adviser's Unit's over-arching role is to support the CSA in raising the quality of DfT's use of analysis and research, ensuring that DfT has a strategic vision for its use of evidence.

It aims to integrate DfT policy development, delivery planning, spending and budget submissions and regulatory impact assessments.

Objectives

Evidence and Research Strategy (ERS)

The Evidence and Research Strategy delivers a coherent and fit-for-purpose set of evidence and innovation activities that are aligned with the key policy goals and longer-term strategic direction of DfT, and which deals effectively with the many issues which cut across DfT's Units. The ERS feeds directly into the Strategy Cycles process and provides the evidence underpinning Spending, Budget and Regulatory Impact submissions.

Chief Scientific Adviser's Secretariat

Supporting the Chief Scientific Adviser by managing the policy support and challenge functions through part-time flexible deployment of science staff into relevant policy teams. Support in representing DfT interests in government science, engineering and technology policy.

Research Quality Assurance

Ensuring that the Department's scientific activities are well directed and that policy is soundly based on good science by developing and implementing central and strategic guidance to research managers.

Transport Futures

Organising scientific advice in new policy areas and on new techniques, such as futures methodologies. Management of the Department's contribution to the Data Grand Challenge. Management of DfT Horizons Programme.

Technology and Innovation Strategy

Secretariat for CSA Technology Forum feeding into Strategy Cycles process, Transport Innovation Fund (TIF), Investment Assurance Framework (IAF), Eddington Transport Study, and SI Ministerial Committee. Divisional focus will be on three Technology Platforms: ICT, Energy & Environment, and Security.

Research Skills and Capacity Building

Support for the CSA in improving research and professional skills, ensuring the right balance between internal and external expertise. Developing the roles of science professionals in DfT.

External Evidence and Research Exploitation

Linking research programmes with national and international programmes to improve the research base for policy support, including close contact with relevant Research Councils, European Union (EU) and other International Organisations (OECD, IEA etc). Develop close relationships with individual researchers in our focus areas through our links with Research Councils, OGDs, EU/Intl. Continue to act as "Secretariat" on behalf of DfT for links with OST for things like FP7.

Strategy Economics and Mobility (SEM) Research Programme

Deliver improvements in research arrangements for the SEM Programme. Effective programme and budget management, including publication of information on Research Database. Develop and implement a Unit level Evidence and Research Strategy for the SEM Programme.

Science and Technology Communication

Maintenance and development of the DfT Research Database (RD) to support evidence management across DfT, and our external audiences. Maintenance and development of the Science and Research pages of the DfT Website as primary means of communication with external stakeholders.

Contact

For further information about transport research within the Department for Transport please contact CSAU at the following email address: ers@dft.gsi.gov.uk.