MBIE appoints Chief Science Advisor

27 August 2013

MBIE appoints Chief Science Advisor

The Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment has appointed Professor Jim Metson to the position of Chief Science Advisor.

“Science and innovation are central components in the Government’s agenda to improve business productivity and the quality of life for New Zealanders, and underpin New Zealand’s economic success,” Deputy Chief Executive Paul Stocks said.

“As the Ministry responsible for science, we deliver policy and services that develop and support a high-performing science and innovation ecosystem. The Chief Science Advisor role provides a critical connection between the Ministry and the scientific community, and will ensure that the Ministry stays well connected with science issues.”

Professor Metson is Deputy Dean of Science at Auckland University. His two-year term is a part-time secondment from the university, and will allow him to retain invaluable ongoing links to the community, Mr Stocks said.

“This role will provide independent specialist advice so that MBIE’s science policy and investments are delivering high-quality science for New Zealand. Professor Metson will also have a wider role in ensuring MBIE’s policy and advice is based on scientific evidence and principles, and will work closely with the Prime Minister’s Chief Science Advisor and other Crown department science advisors.”

Background
Professor Jim Metson has a BSc (Hons) in Chemistry and a PhD in Chemistry from Victoria University of Wellington. He is Deputy Dean of Science at the University of Auckland, Professor of its School of Chemical Sciences, and Associate Director of the University’s Light Metals Research Centre.

He has a background in building science capability, and has led the formation of several major interdisciplinary research centres at the University. He was the NZ representative on the Australian National Science Advisory Committee that oversaw the development of the Australian Synchrotron, and the chair of the Research Infrastructure Advisory Group. His oversight of research work by Masters and PhD students has resulted in more than 200 refereed publications, over 100 reports for industry, 4 patents and 3 further provisional patents.

In this secondment role, he will maintain some of his current research interests and strategic roles at the University, will remain engaged with the international aluminium industry, and will continue to contribute to research in this area.

ENDS

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