Advisory role for SFI chief raises fears

Some 18 medical research charities have weighed into the controversy surrounding the Government’s decision to appoint as its chief scientific advisor the man who also heads up its science funding agency.

The appointment of Professor Mark Ferguson, director general of Science Foundation Ireland (SFI), to the additional role of government chief scientific advisor (CSA), has attracted widespread criticism from the scientific community.

This is on the basis that his dual role has the potential to lead to conflicts of interest because he is responsible for advising on future science policy, while at the same time deciding which science projects are deserving of funding.