DSAC's remit has evolved from its primary role of reviewing and advising the research programme to taking a more strategic view of all S&T aspects across MOD. This is reflected in the terms of reference (paragraph 6 of "Defence Scientific Advisory Council Background Information").
The Independence of DSAC's Advice
All DSAC's advice should be truly independent. Therefore working party reports should not merely reflect the views of official members. To help guard against this, DSAC bodies usually have at least one more independent member than official. Where irreconcilable differences arise between the views of independents and officials, the Chairman should ensure that the working party's report and recommendations reflects the views of the independents. He/she should, however, also ensure that officials are given the opportunity to dissociate themselves from the contentious parts by writing a "minority report" or annex setting out their position.
Working Parties to Review the Existing Research Programme
Some DSAC working parties will have the aim of reviewing a part of the defence research programme. The working parties should normally carry out relevant activities from the following "menu":
- a review of the relevance of the research programme to military (i.e. customer) needs
- a review of the scope and content of the research programme in order to identify gaps or areas of duplication;
- a review of the scientific quality of the work;
- a review of the existence or absence of related/relevant work in the HEIs or in industry
- an assessment of the likelihood of success of specific programmes, based on an analysis of the key technical challenges and the prospects for making progress in a sensible time, and for an affordable investment
- a commentary on the co-ordination of research across MOD’s research suppliers
- an assessment of the opportunities for beneficial international collaboration
Adding Value to Existing Information
A working party should always do more than summarise MOD activity in the particular area it is addressing. It should add its own, independent comments, and, of crucial importance to DSAC's success and value to MOD, they should always reach definite conclusions and produce clear recommendations.
Reporting
DSAC studies need to make an impact. Each study has a senior MOD sponsor of at least 2* level, and there are always a number of key senior stakeholders. The output from the study to sponsors and stakeholders is a summary report of around 10 pages that highlight key findings and provides recommendations that are assigned to the appropriate MOD personnel. Supporting data for the study will be held by the DSAC Secretariat.
MoD are asked to respond and stakeholders are asked to provide a general response to the report within 4 weeks, with a follow-up response in 6 months providing details on how recommendations have been addressed.
Recommendations on Funding
Carrying out the activities described above will often give rise to recommendations on future funding of research in the areas covered by the working party. It is entirely within DSAC's remit to make such recommendations.
It is likely that working parties will often produce recommendations for increased funding. However MOD's research budget is falling, so increased funding in one area of research can only occur if funding for another area is reduced. In consequence, DSAC working parties are urged to identify parts of the programme, related to the area of their review, where the independent members feel MOD research funding can safely be reduced. They might reach such a recommendation because:
- they believe the research is unlikely to meet the military need;
- they judge that the specific programme is likely to fail to make progress in a sensible time and for an affordable investment;
- they are aware of related/relevant work in industry, the HEIs, or elsewhere;
- they have identified new technological developments that they believe will make parts of the existing programme redundant or in need of re-focusing.
Such advice is especially valued by the MOD research customers.