FORTHCOMING EVENTS

Review of the UK National Stem Cell Network: community meeting

Date: 20 January 2009, 10am

Location: Royal Institute of British Architects, Portland Place, London

Future structure, funding and role of the UK National Stem Cell Network (UKNSCN)

An open meeting for all stakeholders in stem cell science and its associated disciplines. This is your opportunity to have a say in the future operation of the UKNSCN.

The meeting features the report of the UKNSCN independent review after 2 years of operation. The review was commissioned by BBSRC on behalf of the 4 sponsoring research councils:

• BBSRC
• EPSRC
• ESRC
• MRC

The UKNSCN is invited to respond to the report followed by a discussion about the future roles of the Network and the resources provided for its support.

Due to low registration numbers this community meeting has been cancelled.

Members of the community can now make nominations to fill the posts of:

• Independent chair
• 5 steering committee members with expertise in the following areas:
  • Tissue engineering
  • Human embryonic stem cells
  • Stem cell research in model organisms
  • Stem cell/regenerative medicine in industry
  • Charity or charitable group

The independent chair is responsible for:

• Leading the development of strategy through input from the community and steering committee members
• Leading the development, implementation and monitoring the activities described in the UKNSCN Strategic Plan and Delivery Plan
• Gaining and maintaining stakeholder support
• Allocating tasks to the co-ordinator and steering committee members
• Representation of the UKNSCN at the highest level in government and industry

The position of independent chair is expected to be filled by someone not directly connected to stem cell research, training or development.

Steering committee members are responsible for:

• Acting as representatives of the community, advising the independent chair and co-ordinator on the key activities to be undertaken by the Network
• Leading activities allocated by the independent chair in collaboration with the co-ordinator and involving representatives from the community
• Ensuring regular reports on activities and progress against objectives are brought to the attention of the steering committee, stakeholders and the wider community

To make a nomination e-mail UKNSCN.Nominations@bbsrc.ac.uk by 27 February 2009.

Please make clear which category (independent chair or steering committee member) and what expertise the nominee has (for steering committee nominations).

You can vote for:

• 1 person for each vacant space on the steering committee
• 1 nomination for chairman

E-mails from a collection of people are not acceptable and will not be counted. These votes must come from recognised institutional addresses.

The research councils reserve the right to disallow any suspicious votes.