Spain eyes UK science advice model

Spain is considering adopting some of the UK’s science advisory structures, science minister Carmen Vela has said.

Vela told an event on 22 June that she was encouraging ministries to create a database of researchers they could approach when needed. But she added that the government wouldn’t appoint a chief scientific adviser anytime soon.

“Before having a chief we need to have soldiers and start working with the departments to show them that decisions are better made when they have access to evidence,” she said. “It may take at least a year for the government to build a network of departmental scientific advisers like in the UK.”