The Scottish Science Advisory Council (SSAC) is Scotland's top science advisory organisation, providing independent advice and recommendations to the Scottish Government – informing policy development and delivery across all areas – thereby helping to further improve Scotland's standing as a science and innovation nation and supporting its Economic Strategy's goals of increasing competitiveness and tackling inequality.

Speaking on his appointment, Professor Bowman commented: "I am delighted to have been appointed as a member of the Scottish Science Advisory Council. Working alongside the other academics, I look forward to providing expert advice which will inform the Scottish Government on how science can be used to inform policy."

Announced on Monday 4 November 2019, the full list of new members to the SSAC includes:

• Professor Margaret Gill OBE, Emeritus Professor School of Biology, University of Aberdeen (Chair of SSAC)
• Professor Robert Bowman, Head of the School of Mathematics and Physics, Queen's University Belfast
• Professor Bob Ferrier, Director, Centre of Expertise for Waters, James Hutton Institute
• Professor Julian Jones OBE, Vice Principal, Heriot-Watt University
• Professor Marian Scott OBE, Professor of Environmental Statistics, University of Glasgow
• Professor Aziz Sheikh OBE, Director of the Usher Institute, University of Edinburgh

The new members will serve for a period of three years, from 1 December 2019 to 30 November 2022.