First Minister Carwyn Jones has appointed internationally renowned psychologist and neuroscientist Professor Peter Halligan to the post of Chief Scientific Adviser for Wales.

The Welsh Government reports Peter Halligan will provide independent scientific advice to the First Minister and lead the development of the Welsh Government’s science policy. He will also work to promote the study of science, technology, engineering, maths and medicine to help build a strong science base in Wales.

Peter Halligan, who has secured international recognition for his research, has played a key role in a number of innovative developments including establishing the Cardiff University Brain Research Imaging Centre (CUBRIC), the Wales Research and Diagnostic Positron Emission Tomography Imaging Centre (PETIC), the Wales Institute of Cognitive Neuroscience (WICN), the Haydn Ellis Distinguished Lecture Series and Cardiff University Research Institutes.

Carwyn Jones said “Professor Peter Halligan is an excellent scientist and world renowned psychologist and neuroscientist, whose research is internationally renowned and respected. His appointment is a huge boost to Wales’ growing science and research sector.”

Economy Secretary, Ken Skates, said “I look forward to working with Professor Halligan to increase and promote the excellent research conducted across Wales. The role of science and research in the Welsh economy is of growing importance and I am confident Professor Halligan will help us towards our ambition of create an innovative and ambitious science base in Wales.”

Peter Halligan said “I very much look forward to taking up this important role, and working with the scientific community to ensure research evidence is taken into account as part of the Government policy making process. I also hope to continue to build on the progress of my predecessors in growing Wales’s research and innovation capacity, to help raise Wales’s profile and grow its economic capability.”