Policies in Defra are underpinned by sound evidence. To inform sound policy-making, Defra needs access to the right information and to be confident of the quality of that information. Understanding the knowledge base and using targeted investment to fill critical gaps will help achieve value for money and innovative approaches.

Defra ensures the quality and relevance of evidence in a range of ways. Professor Bob Watson, Defra’s Chief Scientific Adviser (CSA), oversees the quality of evidence used to provide Defra’s knowledge base on behalf of the Management Board. The role of Defra’s independent CSA is to ensure the quality, appropriateness and value for money of Defra’s science and knowledge base. The CSA is, ultimately, responsible for the broad range of science that falls under Defra’s remit, ensuring that it is robust and fit for purpose. The CSA’s role is also to provide Ministers with scientific advice, and build on existing measures to ensure robust science and technology are used to inform policy.

• Chief Scientific Adviser

Defra’s Science Advisory Council is an independent body providing challenge to the CSA and expert, published advice with respect to the quality, depth and breadth of Defra’s knowledge-base, its research and science-policy interface and strategy. SAC helps to guide scientific priorities across Defra’s entire policy-making landscape including immediate responses to issues, medium-term opportunities for risk management and longer-term horizon scanning and planning. The SAC communicates advice to the CSA and through him to Ministers.

• Science Advisory Council

Latest news

• The latest research competitions
• 27 April 2011 – Defra’s updated Evidence Investment Strategy (EIS) has been published. Further information is available below.
• 15 December 2010 – Latest Elements magazine is now available.

Current situation, background

Budgetary responsibility within Defra rests with Senior Responsible Officers of policy teams and map onto our Departmental priorities which are to:

1. support and develop British farming and encourage sustainable food production;
2. help to enhance the environment and biodiversity to improve quality of life;
3. support a strong and sustainable green economy

Evidence Investment Strategy

Defra’s updated Evidence Investment Strategy (EIS)

27 April 2011: Defra has updated its Evidence Investment Strategy (EIS). The update re-visits Defra’s EIS in light of the changing political landscape, Defra’s Business Plan and the 2010 Spending Review.  In doing so it highlights the progress made in implementing the EIS, and summarises the work that has been done on evidence programmes, indicative budgets and the big evidence challenges facing Defra and its network.  As well as making important links with the Defra Network, the update includes an annex which summarises evidence plans across the core Department.

• Defra’s updated Evidence Investment Strategy (EIS)

Defra’s Evidence Investment Strategy (EIS)

26 January 2010 saw the launch of Defra’s new Evidence Investment Strategy: 2010 -2013 and beyond. Evidence is at the heart of good policy-making at Defra.  It provides information for decision-making, helps us find new policy solutions, and supports us in identifying and tackling emerging issues. We need to be equipped to provide good quality evidence to support policy making now and in the future.

• Defra’s Evidence Investment Strategy (EIS) 2010-13 and beyond

The EIS was the culmination of 18 months of hard work and vigorous analysis. Defra’s Chief Scientific Adviser (CSA) Professor Bob Watson talked with and listened to colleagues across Defra and beyond. He explored the key evidence activities of the department, analysed priorities such as the big evidences challenges, and identified where improvements can be made.

The Evidence Investment Strategy has 5 key objectives: Prioritise investments between programmes

• Sharpen our focus to deliver evidence and innovation where we need it most – short and long-term
• Increase co-operation using partnership working to share investments, knowledge and expertise
• Develop and organise the right skills, expertise and capabilities
• Refine our processes to better embed evidence

The Strategy will be complemented by an action plan to ensure it delivers real impact on the ground. For further information, or if you have any comments, please contact the Evidence Strategy Project Team at strategicevidence@defra.gsi.gov.uk.

Further resources

• information about individual projects is available in the Science and Research Projects Database
• Defra’s science magazine ‘Elements’