One of the key drivers behind the formation of NatSCA was the recognition that natural sciences in Britain needed a stronger voice and would be better served by a larger organisation rather than a number of disparate groups.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
While NatSCA has a national scope, it was recognised that that there was a clear need for a national network of natural science curators and institutions to take projects forward on a local, regional and national level.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In the NatSCA response to the Museums Association consultation paper Collections For The Future<\/a> it was agreed that a network of subject specialists would be of great benefit. It was noted that a diverse number of formal and informal Subject Specialist Networks such as NatSCA and the Geology Curators Group (GCG)<\/a> as well as more specialist groups for entomology, herbarium, vertebrate palaeontology etc, already existed. There is however little coordination or linkage between these organisations at a national or regional level. It was also noted that the members run many of these groups on their own time or with goodwill of their employers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Four core areas have been identified as priorities for the SSN:<\/p>\n\n\n\n The overall vision for the proposed SSN is that of a strategic national body for the natural sciences. It would be formed as a collegiate network based on museums, allied institutions and relevant special interest groups working at a regional level with a national steering group composed of representatives from the regions, national museums, museum organisations (NatSCA, GCG) and national bodies with a strong interest in natural science collections.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The SSN will function as a strategic administrative body to develop, organise and sustain projects on a national scale and promote collaborative effort at a regional and national level. It will focus on national priorities and projects with long-term objectives, which will enhance collections care, research, interpretation and public understanding and involvement with the natural sciences.<\/p>\n\n\n\n For more information about the wider network of SSNs see the Arts Council England webpage<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n