Artificial Intelligence

Scientists wanted to help DfE ‘shape future of education’

The Department for Education is creating a new science advisory council and is looking for members

The Department for Education is creating a new science advisory council and is looking for members

Exclusive

Scientists with expertise in artificial intelligence, sustainable school buildings and ed tech are being recruited to advise ministers and “shape the future of education”. 

The Department for Education is creating a new 12-strong science advisory council to help the department access “cutting-edge” scientific evidence, analytical approaches and expertise for “robust” decision making. 

They want members to be from academia, industry and non-profit organisations with a research, science or analytical background, an advert stated.

The council will support Professor Russell Viner, DfE’s chief scientific adviser, to provide ministers and senior officials with expert advice.

While the DfE has “long-established analytical expertise”, it wants to widen its scope to “draw additionally on natural and social science disciplines”.

DfE said the membership will reflect the need to respond to its challenges such as “developments in AI and education technology, sustainable and secure school buildings and adapting to climate change, and continued physical and mental health challenges”. 

“This is an exciting opportunity for highly experienced members of the academic and non-governmental analytical community (mid-career and senior) to influence evidence-based policy and shape the future of education,” it added. 

Other expertise required includes behavioural science, computer science, maths and psychology.

Members must interact with government “transparently and openly”, while acting in an “unbiased and independent manner”. 

In addition, they must have “excellent” communication skills to “command the confidence” of the scientific community, but also have “personal and political sensitivity”. 

DfE is looking for between 8 to 12 members, including a chairperson. 

The two-year posts will be voluntary, but with reasonable expenses covered.  Applications close on May 27.

Latest education roles from

Executive Director of Finance – Moulton College

Executive Director of Finance – Moulton College

FEA

Director of Governance – HRUC

Director of Governance – HRUC

FEA

Principal and CEO

Principal and CEO

Hills Road Sixth Form College

Senior Quality Officer

Senior Quality Officer

University of Lancashire

Sponsored posts

Sponsored post

IncludEd Conference: Get Inclusion Ready

As we all clamber to make sense of the new Ofsted framework, it can be hard to know where...

SWAdvertorial
Sponsored post

Helping every learner use AI responsibly

AI didn’t wait to be invited into the classroom. It burst in mid-lesson. Across UK schools, pupils are already...

SWAdvertorial
Sponsored post

Retire Early, Live Fully: What Teachers Need to Consider First

Specialist Financial Adviser, William Adams, from Wesleyan Financial Services discusses what teachers should be considering when it comes to...

SWAdvertorial
Sponsored post

AI Safety: From DfE Guidance to Classroom Confidence

Darren Coxon, edtech consultant and AI education specialist, working with The National College, explores the DfE’s expectations for AI...

SWAdvertorial

More from this theme

Artificial Intelligence

Using ChatGPT can cut lesson planning by 31% – EEF study

Randomised control trial found teachers told to use the generative AI cut 25.3 minutes from their planning time

Freddie Whittaker
Artificial Intelligence

Ofsted to review the use of AI in schools

DfE commissions watchdog to examine how schools use AI to 'support teaching and learning' and manage admin

Freddie Whittaker
Artificial Intelligence

£3m government AI ‘content store’ to help teachers plan lessons

But scheme will not see schools receive direct funding to help them adopt new technology

Lucas Cumiskey

Your thoughts

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

2 Comments

  1. Naomi Styles

    I would like to add that there is a real skill shortage and understanding in rural productivity too, eg agriculture, forestry, fisheries, soil science, pest control etc as well as general poor understanding in the general population about growing things either for productivity or environment, amenity and health benefits and I would like to see these included, as a practical science, in this shake up.