NERC is the new UK associate in EISCAT

At its 74th meeting in Tokyo in June 2010, EISCAT Council confirmed
that NERC officially replaces STFC as the UK EISCAT associate for the
fixed period from January 2010 to December 2014. NERC has guaranteed
to maintain the UK subscription at its current level for the years
2010 and 2011. Over the following three years, NERC already now is
committed to a somewhat reduced subscription, but has promised to make
its best efforts to secure a larger ongoing commitment in the future.

In exchange for NERC’s support of EISCAT’s science programme, EISCAT
will assist NERC in tackling issues such as solar influences on global
climate change, ionospheric effects on communications and global
positioning, and space weather impacts on technological systems.
Professor Alan Thorpe, NERC's Chief Executive, has welcomed NERC
becoming EISCAT's UK associate, saying "This is a key element of our
new responsibility for Earth-oriented solar terrestrial physics, which
will strengthen the provision of NERC's strategic goal to deliver
world-leading environmental research at the frontiers of knowledge."

In recognition of this change, Dr. Michael Schultz, the NERC Head of
National Capability, replaces Ms. Rosemary Young as a UK Council
Member. Dr. Ian McCrea continues as the second UK Council Member and
Prof. Mike Kosch continues as the UK member of SOC.