Office of Science and Technology
Encyclopedia
The Office of Science and Technology (OST), later (briefly) named the Office of Science and Innovation, was a non-ministerial government department
of the British
government
between 1992 and 2007.
The office was responsible for co-ordination of the Government's science and technology
related activities and policies, and the distribution of some £2.4 billion amongst the seven UK Research Council
s (also see Research Councils UK
). It was headed by the Chief Scientific Adviser
; initially this was Sir William Stewart
, then Sir Robert (later Lord) May
, and finally Sir David King
.
The OST was originally formed in 1992 as a merger of the Office of the Chief Scientific Adviser with the Science Branch of the Department of Education and Science
(as it then was). Although originally run under the Cabinet Office
, it was moved between Departments in 1995 to operate under the Department of Trade and Industry. In early 2006, the office was renamed to the "Office of Science and Innovation", and was subsequently absorbed into the Department for Innovation, Universities and Skills
in the Summer of 2007 when the Department for Education and Skills was split in two.
The Government Chief Scientific Advisor now heads the Government Office for Science
.
Non-ministerial government department
A non-ministerial government department is a department or ministry of a government that is not headed by a Government Minister or Government Secretary, and answers directly to a legislature ....
of the British
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
government
Departments of the United Kingdom Government
Her Majesty's Government of the United Kingdom contains a number of Cabinet ministers who are usually called secretaries of state when they are in charge of Government departments called ministerial departments...
between 1992 and 2007.
The office was responsible for co-ordination of the Government's science and technology
Science and technology
Science and technology is a term of art used to encompass the relationship between science and technology. It frequently appears within titles of academic disciplines and government offices.-See also:...
related activities and policies, and the distribution of some £2.4 billion amongst the seven UK Research Council
Research Council
The UK Research Councils, of which there are currently seven, are publicly-funded agencies responsible for co-ordinating and funding particular areas of research, including the arts, humanities, all areas of science and engineering...
s (also see Research Councils UK
Research Councils UK
Research Councils UK is a strategic partnership between the seven UK Research Councils. It enables the Councils to work together more effectively to enhance the overall impact and effectiveness of their research, training and innovation activities, contributing to the delivery of the Government's...
). It was headed by the Chief Scientific Adviser
Chief Scientific Adviser to the UK Government
The UK Government Chief Scientific Adviser is the personal adviser on science and technology-related activities and policies to the Prime Minister and the Cabinet; and head of the Government Office for Science....
; initially this was Sir William Stewart
William Stewart (scientist)
Sir William Duncan Paterson Stewart, FRS, FRSE was President of the Royal Society of Edinburgh from 1999–2002 and Chairman of the Microbiological Research Authority...
, then Sir Robert (later Lord) May
Robert May, Baron May of Oxford
Robert McCredie May, Baron May of Oxford, OM, AC, PRS is an Australian scientist who has been Chief Scientific Adviser to the UK Government, President of the Royal Society, and a Professor at Sydney and Princeton. He now holds joint professorships at Oxford, and Imperial College London...
, and finally Sir David King
David King (scientist)
Sir David Anthony King FRS is the Director of the Smith School of Enterprise and the Environment at the University of Oxford, Director of Research in Physical Chemistry at the University of Cambridge, Director of the Collegio Carlo Alberto, Chancellor of the University of Liverpool and a senior...
.
The OST was originally formed in 1992 as a merger of the Office of the Chief Scientific Adviser with the Science Branch of the Department of Education and Science
Department of Education and Science
The phrase Department of Education and Science refers to government departments in the UK or Ireland* For the former Irish government department, see Department of Education and Skills...
(as it then was). Although originally run under the Cabinet Office
Cabinet Office
The Cabinet Office is a department of the Government of the United Kingdom responsible for supporting the Prime Minister and Cabinet of the United Kingdom....
, it was moved between Departments in 1995 to operate under the Department of Trade and Industry. In early 2006, the office was renamed to the "Office of Science and Innovation", and was subsequently absorbed into the Department for Innovation, Universities and Skills
Department for Innovation, Universities and Skills
The Department for Innovation, Universities and Skills was a UK government department created on 28 June 2007 to take over some of the functions of the Department of Education and Skills and of the Department of Trade and Industry. In June 2009 it was merged into the newly formed Department for...
in the Summer of 2007 when the Department for Education and Skills was split in two.
The Government Chief Scientific Advisor now heads the Government Office for Science
Government Office for Science
The Government Office for Science is part of the British government. This organisation exists to ensure that Government policy and decision-making is underpinned by robust scientific evidence and long-term thinking...
.