Dear Colleagues,

As you may be aware, STFC’s Science Board PPAN is developing a long-term prioritised roadmap which will be used to frame future decision making, and to enable a strategic approach to funding. The development of the PPAN Roadmap is being undertaken in 2024 and 2025, and will define and tension a balanced programme of excellent science across the PPAN research areas over a 10 year timeframe. The PPAN Roadmap builds on previous reviews, such as the Balance of Programmes and will be maintained on a rolling basis.

On the 17th 18th and 19th September 2024, SB PPAN met to discuss the PPAN Roadmap. Advisory Panel Chairs presented updates on their science areas using the community inputs. These were discussed by SB PPAN with a view to consider high-level statements, guiderails and recommendations.

In November SB PPAN met to review progress on the PPAN Roadmap to further develop the details within the Roadmap and Annexes, and identify next steps prior to SB PPAN’s March meeting. In Spring 2025, it is planned that Version 1 of the PPAN Roadmap will be agreed by SB PPAN. This draft should be viewed as the first step of an iterative process to develop the Roadmap further, commencing the rolling cadence as noted above.  

A further update on PPAN Roadmap activities will be provided to the community following the March SB PPAN meeting. The purpose of this, and future updates, is to inform the community of progress towards establishing the PPAN Roadmap, to help explain the process being taken and to aid engagement.

Should you have any questions or comments on the PPAN Roadmap activity, then please contact george.madden@stfc.ukri.org and sbppan@stfc.ukri.org

Regards,
George Madden
Head of SKAO Programme
UK Research and Innovation