European Union Names its First Chief Scientific Advisor. (November 22, 2011)

Europe’s first chief scientific adviser (CSA) will be molecular and cell biologist Anne Glover, she is currently serving as Scotland's chief scientific advisor. It is not a snap decision; the determination that a CSA would be appointed was announced by José Manuel Barroso, the president of the European Commission, in September 2009.

NatureNews reports: "The details of the CSA role — including how much power and freedom the incumbent will have in providing scientific advice and influencing policy-making — are still unclear. It is also unclear which European institute the post will be situated in and to whom the incumbent will report".

Overall the appointment has been well received.

Helga Nowotny, president of the European Research Council, which funds frontier research judged solely on scientific excellence says Professor Glover will bring a “fresh perspective” and become a “persuasive and credible ambassador for research and innovation”, while Paul Boyle, president of Science Europe, a Brussels-based science advocacy group told Nature that the group is “pleased” with appointment, adding that Glover’s experience as CSA of Scotland “makes her well-placed to fill this role”.

And Marja Makarow, chief executive of the European Science Foundation, a non-governmental organization based in Strasbourg, France, that supports scientific networking and collaboration in Europe, told  Nature that she is “delighted that the new CSA is an active researcher, and a woman” — Professor Glover holds the Chair in Molecular and Cell Biology at the University of Aberdeen.

Ian Diamond, principal and vice-chancellor of the University of Aberdeen told ScienceInsider: "She has done an absolutely amazing job," and added that she has raised the visibility of Scottish science in Scotland and the rest of the United Kingdom and increased the role of scientific evidence in the policy-making process. Among her other duties Professor Glover co-chairs the 17-member Scottish Science Advisory Council (SSAC).

According to Marian Scott, an environmental statistician at the University of Glasgow Professor Glover is considered to be a very effective science communicator — whether it's among senior politicians, at science festivals or in Scottish classrooms.

However, one anonymous "European science insider" sounded a note of caution pointing out that Professor Glover is not well known in European science-policy circles. “She is low profile, but that might be what the commission wants,” the source says.

Note added December 6, 2011: ScienceInsider reports "European Commission President José Manuel Barroso has confirmed today that Scottish microbiologist Anne Glover will be taking up the job in January. Barroso said at a conference today that Glover will 'act as a bridge with the scientific community to ensure that innovation contributes to our growth. We must communicate better … on the benefits of scientific advances and also on their risks. A good public understanding is key to guarantee social acceptance of innovation.'"