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 early 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 12-13 June 2024, SB (PPAN) met to discuss the PPAN Roadmap and future activities. SB (PPAN) received updates from STFC on each of the PPAN areas and began to consider the quality, effectiveness and impact of the PPAN programme to inform STFC’s planning decisions, within a realistic planning envelope.

In May, STFC asked Advisory Panels to provide updates on their roadmaps (landscape documents) and to complete a SWOT analysis of their science area by the end of August. This will become a regular process, with responses being presented to SB (PPAN) by the Advisory Panel Chairs. Responses will be discussed at the September meeting, with a view to consider high-level statements, guiderails and recommendations.

A further update on PPAN Roadmap activities will be provided to the community following the September 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,
Stephanie Wallace (Programme Manager, Particle Physics) and George Madden (Head of SKAO Programme)