Although the url points to the book 'Directions for Scientific Advice in Europe', the recommended read is a chapter written by Andy Stirling at IDS in which he discusses the pressures made on various scientific advisory boards in terms of vested interests and power relationships, including the distortion of engagement processes. Although the arguments of this book are wholly related to Europea science policy making, they illustrate the often fraught processes through which science policy and reserach priorities are determined. The reasons for including this here are 1. Does the Wellcome Trust think these issues are of any relevance as it sets its own research agendas? and 2. if so, what does this mean specifically in the contect of the AAPs? It could bee argued that appropriate dialogue (aka engagement) with other stakeholders is a prerequisite of an informed response to either question