How we developed the strategy
NERC's strategy, Next Generation Science for Planet Earth, builds on the success of our previous strategy, Science for a Sustainable Future 2002-2007. It was developed through wide consultation with NERC stakeholders.
The strategy will be regularly refreshed so that we can remain responsive to changing priorities.
Steps in developing the strategy
In March 2006, an initial consultation contributed to the development of the seven strategic science themes identified by Council.
Strategic development panels, comprised of researchers, policy-makers and industry representatives, were established for each science theme to recommend priorities for the next ten years.
Further panels were used to develop NERC's four organisational goals.
Reports produced by each panel were considered by the appropriate NERC board; the science theme reports by the NERC Science & Innovation Strategy Board (SISB) and the reports on organisational goals by the NERC Executive Board (NEB). NERC Council reviewed all the reports, and recommendations from SISB and NEB, and agreed the challenges that had been identified.
NERC used these theme reports to develop a draft strategy, and held a second public consultation between February and April 2007. One hundred and eighty four individuals/organisations, from across the breadth of NERC stakeholders, gave their views. SISB considered all the responses and provided advice on which aspects of the strategy should be revised in light of the feedback. The theme and goal reports were revised in parallel.
Council approved the final version of the strategy in June 2007.
The strategy was published on 15 November 2007.