Advisory Bodies

To ensure high standards of operation and research, Diamond engages with a number of advisory bodies. This page outlines the role each of these bodies has to play in safeguarding Diamond’s high quality scientific output.
 

The Scientific Advisory Committee (SAC)

The SAC advises the CEO and the Science Directors on scientific and technical issues. They provide advice on matters relating to:

• The specification, design, commissioning and operation of Diamond Light Source.
• Experimental and user support facilities.
• Opportunities for scientific exploitation of the facility.
• Other matters identified by the management team at Diamond.

Diamond Industrial Science Committee (DISCo)

As part of the process of engaging with the industrial science community, Diamond established the DISCo. The group advise the CEO and Directors of Diamond on all matters relating to industry and industrial users of the facility, including:

• Opportunities to engage industry.
• Industrial research priorities that will help shape the operational strategy of Diamond – including how best to exploit current beamlines, and how to develop the case for investment in future beamlines.
• Best practice for industrial engagement with Diamond, including research collaboration agreements with industry, the handling of intellectual property and the dissemination of research results.
• Other matters as agreed with the CEO and the Directors of Diamond.

Diamond User Committee (DUC)

Diamond recognises that close interaction with the user community is essential, both to providing a premium service and to reaping the maximum benefit from investment in Diamond. The DUC is a platform for discussion between Diamond and the user community on matters relating to the operation and strategy of the facility. The DUC committee:

• Provides a platform for discussion between Diamond and the user community on operational and strategic matters.
• Advises on instrumentation, software, support facilities and on other strategic issues.
• Represents the views of users within the different villages.
• Assists with the development and management of user workshops and meetings.
• Works with Diamond to extend the facility’s impact to the wider community.

Peer review panels

On receipt of a proposal from scientists to use of Diamond facilities, the process of assessment is initiated. First, the relevant principal beamline scientist assesses the feasibility of the proposal; then a health and safety review is carried out. If a proposal passes these steps, it is sent to the peer review panel. The panel then assesses the proposal based on scientific merit and provides recommendations to Diamond management on the allocation of beamtime to each project.

 

STFC Advisory Committees

STFC has two advisory committees which relate to work carried out at its facilities including Diamond Light Source. These committees report to STFC's senior advisory committee Science Board:

• The Physical Sciences and Engineering Panel
• The Life Sciences and Soft Materials Advisory Panel