Chief Scientific Adviser

Professor Tom Crick is the Chief Scientific Adviser (CSA) at the Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS). In his role as CSA, Professor Crick provides scientific and technical leadership within the department, provides direct advice to ministers and officials, and oversees the use of research, evidence and external expertise. Professor Crick works closely with other departmental CSA’s across government, led by the Government Chief Scientific Adviser, to ensure a cohesive, strategic approach is adopted to address key cross-cutting government policies.

Professor Crick is also Professor of Digital Policy and Deputy Pro-Vice-Chancellor at Swansea University. His work sits at the interface of research, policy and practice, identifying and addressing domain problems with broad digital, data-driven and computational themes, and especially focusing on the impact on people, communities, heritage and culture. He leads Swansea University’s civic mission strategy, is a leading international figure in the digital skills agenda, and has held senior advisory roles with Nesta, Ofcom, the National Infrastructure Commission for Wales, and BCS, The Chartered Institute for IT.

Chief Scientific Adviser Office

The role of the CSA team is to deliver informed scientific and technical advice and challenge to the department, increase access to expertise and promote stronger links with the science and research community. The team ensures the delivery of the department’s vision for science and its core objectives - that research and evidence is embedded into the culture at DCMS and that the department is well supported in its policy and decision making through enhanced internal capability and external engagement.

DCMS College of Experts

The College of Experts is a cohort of 48 external experts from across academia and industry who provide scientific and technical advice to the department. Its members were selected through an open and fair process to provide comprehensive expertise and support across the departmental portfolio. Members of the College of Experts can: participate in working groups on specific themes, provide ad-hoc advice and support to officials and facilitate wider engagement through access to their extended networks, which ensures the work of the department is underpinned by the best possible science, research and evidence.

DCMS Areas of Research Interest

The DCMS Areas of Research Interest (ARI) give details about the key research questions and needs facing the department and aims to align scientific and research evidence with policy development and decision-making. The ARI document is an important tool used to communicate the department’s research needs externally and facilitate engagement.

In order to generate evidence, DCMS encourages and undertakes collaboration across government, the wider scientific community and external partners in the advancement of our evidence base to support policymaking. The department is happy to receive general expressions of interest from experts, from all career stages, who are interested in collaborating with DCMS.

Rapid evidence gathering

The CSA Team can commission the academic community to undertake rapid evidence reviews to assist with the Department’s immediate policy and analysis needs, further developing the relationship between government and academia.

• UK Cities of Culture: Stakeholder interviews with runner-up applicants.

DCMS R&D Science and Analysis Programme

The Research and Development (R&D) Science and Analysis Programme is a critical part of a suite of actions led by the Chief Scientific Adviser and the Director of Analysis to improve DCMS’ evidence base. It is designed to build cross-cutting, longer term, and experimental evidence to complement the department’s existing methods of evidence development, by working with researchers who have established expertise in the department’s Areas of Research Interest.

The Programme is investing up to £8.3m in research between 2022/23 and 2024/25.

Current R&D project privacy notices

• Capturing engagement numbers

• Understanding player experience of loot box protections

DCMS policy fellowships: Connecting research and policy to inform evidence-led policy making

The department hosts visiting researchers from a range of academic disciplines, boosting the science and research capabilities of the department. The policy fellowships contribute to improving the flow of knowledge and talent between government, academia and research organisations, further embedding the positive role and impact of scientific research on policy and decision making in government.

Policy fellowship publications

Digital culture - a review of evidence and experience, with recommendations for UK policy, practice and research. Dr. Susan Oman.

Contact details

csa@dcms.gov.uk