Science & Engineering

With the end of 2017 fast approaching, we asked the UK's top civil servants to look back at the year, outline their goals for 2018 – and tell us what they cannot do Christmas without

Electronics and telecommunications expert Dr Mike Short named to post after six-month search

Prof Ian Boyd cancels decision to step down and pledges to stay on for “at least another year”

Statistician John Aston replaces Bernard Silverman to advise department on a range of issues

£120,000 post will forge links between science and technology sectors in effort to boost trade

Longstanding top scientist at the environment department heading for the exit, in move Defra says comes at "natural end" of his fixed term

Brexit ministry confirms it is "currently exploring options" to bolster scientific advice available to it

Walport will serve as sole accounting officer for the powerful new research funding umbrella body

Department for Exiting the European Union "consulting very extensively" on the impact of Brexit to the science sector, says top government adviser, after MPs urge the new department to take on a full-time expert

Exiting the European Union secretary David Davis is told he needs his own scientific adviser "to get the best possible" evidence base for Brexit

Independent study will form part of new strategy launched by chief scientist Sir Mark Walport (pictured) which aims to put specialists at the heart of government decision-making