Experts sought for government air quality advisory board

Defra and the devolved UK governments are seeking five new members to join the UK’s Air Quality Expert Group (AQEG) from January 2018.

The Expert Group, which provides independent scientific advice to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) and equivalent departments in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland is made up of experts on issues related to air quality.

The Air Quality Expert Group advises government on issues related to air pollution

Reporting to Defra’s chief scientific advisor, the group offers guidance on issues such as the levels, sources and characteristics of air pollutants in the UK.

The group is currently chaired by Professor Paul Monks, the University of Leicester’s head of science and engineering, with other current members including Dr David Carslaw of the University of York, John Steadman of Ricardo and Professor Martin Williams of King’s College London.

Expertise

In a posting on the government’s UK AIR website, Defra notes that members will need ‘significant air pollution expertise’ as well as the ability to ‘apply their knowledge and skills outside their specialist area.

Posts are part-time and voluntary, with the AQEG meeting on average 4-6 times per year.

Applicants have until 22 September to apply for the posts.

Recent work by the group includes a report to assess the impacts of shipping on UK air quality, as well as work to assess potential impacts of biomass combustion on air pollution.