Tristram Riley-Smith, who spent 2012 as CSaP Visiting Fellow, starts work at 10 Trumpington Street in a new capacity – as the External Champion to the Research Councils’ Global Uncertainties (GU) Programme. We share him with Cambridge’s Department of Politics and International Studies (POLIS), where he has been appointed to a new, senior, post to support this Champion’s role.

This year’s Annual AAAS meeting in Boston saw much joint activity between AAAS and the EU. The highlight was a packed session organized by the EU Joint Research Centre on how science advisers deal with uncertainty in policy advice.

Academics in the field of Behavioural Economics have long argued that human decisions are strongly pulled towards whatever option is set as the default.

Chief Scientific Adviser to the UK Government’s Department of Energy and Climate Change, Professor David MacKay, has been appointed Regius Professor of Engineering at the University of Cambridge. Such Professorships are Royal academic titles, created by the monarch. The Engineering role, announced in 2011 was created to celebrate the Duke of Edinburgh’s 34 years as Chancellor of the University.

On 27 February, Lord Turner delivered the CSaP distinguished lecture, exploring some of the successes and failures of science and public policy.

The new Policy Fellows in Easter Term 2013 have been announced.

Will we ever see revolutionary change in the UK Civil Service? This question was addressed by Professor Colin Talbot in his talk to CPP on 7 February 2013.

The Government Office for Science has produced a short guide and collection of case studies, designed to encourage and provide tips on constructive engagement with academia for government officials.

Several members of CSaP’s network were recognised in the 2013 New Year Honours List for their outstanding achievements and services to society.

The first new Policy Fellows of 2013 will make their first visits to Cambridge in Lent Term.