Invitation for expressions of interest: Research and Innovation Policy Advisory Forum

Impact 2030: Ireland’s Research and Innovation Strategy articulates a shared ambition that our collective research and innovation (R&I) investments and activities make as big a difference as possible to as many people as possible. Building on our R&I performance to date, it will drive a greater contribution by research and innovation to multiple national priorities, including for example, climate action, digital transformation, health and wellbeing, and regional economic development. Pillar 2 provides for the establishment of a number of strategy oversight and advisory structures:

The establishment of the Research and Innovation Policy Advisory Forum (RIPAF) reflects international good practice in the development of national R&I systems, as well as stakeholder feedback received by the Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science during the development of Impact 2030. It differs from the new science advisory structures that have been recently announced, whose purpose will be to strengthen how scientific expertise itself (across all research disciplines and Government departments) is provided in Ireland.

The purpose of the RIPAF will be to provide expert advice to the Minister and the Department about the strategic development of Ireland’s national R&I system. The Forum will also enable representative bodies to participate in this shared agenda: as noted in Impact 2030, it “will provide an agreed structure for engagement between members of the research and innovation community and policy decision makers”. It will inform and support national R&I policy development on system-level strategic issues that would benefit from international, as well as national, expertise and experience.

The Draft Terms of Reference for the RIPAF are available below:

Reflecting the above purpose, its membership (of approximately 10-15 members) will comprise international and national experts, as well as a number of representative organisations that can bring relevant national experience and perspectives to the discussions.

Having regard to the above, the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science Simon Harris recently announced the establishment of the Research and Innovation Policy Advisory Forum and issued the call for expressions of interest for members, which are now sought from suitably qualified candidates for consideration for Forum membership.

In submitting an expression of interest, the proposer is requested to succinctly outline their:

• relevant expertise in the strategic advancement of national research and innovation systems
• current role
• indicative policy themes that they may wish to table at the forum
• if a representative organisation, the constituency being represented, scale of organisational membership and the proposer’s powers to represent same

Expressions of interest must be submitted online no later than 6pm on Friday, 30 June 2023. Please note there is a strict limit imposed of 2,000 characters or approximately 400 words for each section.

When considering the submission of an expression of interest, please note the following:

• In line with best practice as set out in the Guidelines on Appointments to State Boards, it is open to the Minister to consider suitable nominees other than those identified through this process.
• The Minister may have regard to the desirability for diversity and for gender balance on the forum as the Minister considers appropriate and determines from time to time when making appointments.
• Participation is the Forum is unremunerated.

All expressions of interest will be acknowledged within three working days of receipt.

The Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science will review all expressions received and will recommend the composition of the forum to the Minister, having regard to the purpose of the Forum as outlined above.

It is anticipated that the inaugural forum meeting will be held in autumn 2023.

By making an expression of interest to this call, you are confirming your acceptance of the below terms.

Freedom of information

Responses to this consultation are subject to the provisions of the Freedom of Information Act 2014. Read how to make a freedom of information request.

Data protection

Any personal information submitted to the Department will be treated strictly in accordance with the General Data Protection Regulation 2016/67 and the Data Protection Act 2018. Read the Department’s data protection notice.

Purpose

Your data is processed to receive expressions of interest from interested candidates for membership of the Research and Innovation Policy Advisory Forum and maintain contact

Legal basis

Processing your data is necessary for the performance of a task carried out in the public interest.

Categories of data subject

This is a public invitation for expressions of interest: anyone may make a submission, either in a personal or representative capacity.

Categories of personal data

• Name
• Email address

Further processing

Where the Department intends to further process your data for a purpose other than the purposes listed above, the Department will provide you prior to that further processing with information on that other purpose and with any relevant further information on the processing activity and your data protection rights.

Storage period

The data processed will be retained for a period of up to one year for the purpose of completing the appointment process.

Please note that your data is also subject to the National Archives Act 1986, see guidance from the National Archives.

Third country

None of your data will be transferred to a country outside of the European Economic Area, which is:

• the EU
• Norway
• Iceland
• Liechtenstein

Data subject rights

Read information on your right to access your data. You may also exercise your right to correct your data, seek to restrict how it may be processed or object to how it may be processed. Your data or that or your child’s will not be used for automated decision-making or profiling. Read the Data Protection Commissioner’s guide to data subject rights.

While you have a right to have your data deleted, the Department may not be able to agree to your request if it is less than 3 years since you submitted your application under this expression of interest. The Department may not be able to agree to your request for deletion also where your data is subject to the National Archives Act 1986 and no order has been made to dispose of the this category of data under that Act, see guidance from the National Archives.

How to complain

You have the right to lodge a complaint with the Data Protection Commission.

Contact details

The Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science is the data controller for the processing of your data. If you have any query in respect of this, you may contact the department at the details below:

The Department’s Data Protection Officer may be contacted at the details below: