The Prime Minister has appointed 5 new members to the Council, which advises the Prime Minister on strategic science and technology policy issues that cut across the responsibilities of individual government departments. In addition to Prof. Joyce Tait, the other appointments were Prof. Sir David Cannadine, Suranga Chandratillake, Prof. Dame Ottoline Leyser and Prof. Max Lu.

Joyce has an interdisciplinary background, covering both natural and social sciences. She has specialised in innovation-governance-stakeholder interactions in the life sciences and related areas, including cell therapies and regenerative medicine, synthetic biology, genetic modification (GM) technologies, drug development, stratified medicine and biofuels. Joyce is a Fellow of the Royal Society of Edinburgh. 

Sir Mark Walport, Government Chief Scientific Adviser said: “The 5 new members… bring with them a breadth of experience and expertise which will enable the Council to continue to provide excellent advice to government on science and technology opportunities and challenges. This will help ensure the UK remains at the forefront of global science.”

The Council for Science and Technology works on cross-cutting issues of strategic importance, taking a medium to longer-term approach. In developing its advice, it takes into account the cultural, economic, environmental, ethical and social context of developments in STEM.