Vikki Halliday, Deputy Director of RESAS (Rural and Environment Science and Analytical Services of the Scottish Government) visited BioSS on Tuesday 5th May 2026.

In the first part of the meeting, Vikki and the BioSS Executive discussed ideas for the upcoming RESAS Strategic Research Programme. Decision support tools are likely to be in scope, and BioSS would be well-placed to contribute to this theme.

In the following roundtable, BioSS' leading scientists presented recent work and impact of their teams. Iain McKendrick described examples of how we can prepare for animal disease outbreaks (EPIC); Esther Jones explained how BioSS is heavily involved in assessing offshore renewables effects on the environment (OSR); Nick Schurch talked about how we are working with stakeholders to understand environmental changes (EES); Helen Kettle illustrated how a RESAS-funded project (LSM) is designing tools for large scale modelling which can be applied to sectorial modelling; Claus Mayer clarified how his group can integrate bioinformatics and genomics understanding into tools for modelling (SAT); and Katharine Preedy introduced us to how modelling population dynamics can be instrumental in managing the effects of crop pests (BET).

During the discussion, Vikki suggested that research providers need to remain aligned to the strategic objectives of the agreed Strategic Research Programme, that strong and clear boundaries between RESAS-funded research and other Government-supported activities should be highlighted, and that the importance of producing and using data should be measured in light of overall policy outcomes and impacts.

Vikki Halliday said of the visit: “BioSS deliver a hugely important element of the RESAS Strategic Research Programme, in developing data models and tools to support understanding of how we can best apply research to mitigate impacts of issues such as climate change and disease on the rural and environmental landscape and economies. The team are clearly passionate about making a difference, and ensuring that their expertise benefits Scotland’s future”.