Professor Anjali Goswami is appointed as Defra’s new Chief Scientific Advisor

A highly respected researcher in evolutionary biology, Professor Anjali Goswanu is a Research Leader and Dean of the Graduate Centre at the Natural History Museum and Honorary Professor of Paleobiology at UCL's Department of Genetics, Evolution and Environment. She brings extensive scientific expertise and leadership experience, including serving as President of the Linnean Society and is a Fellow of the Royal Society. She has been recognised with numerous prestigious awards and has contributed to the public understanding of science through her work and publications. Professor Anjali Goswami will succeed Professor Gideon Henderson, who is leaving Defra after six years in the role. Defra leadership, including Permanent Secretary Tamara Finkelstein and Secretary of State Steve Reed, expressed their gratitude to Professor Henderson for his contributions and enthusiasm for Professor Goswami’s upcoming tenure, emphasizing the crucial role of scientific innovation in shaping environmental policies.

Professor Goswami highlighted the urgency of addressing environmental challenges and the role of cutting-edge science in driving solutions for nature restoration, food security, and climate resilience. She said, “I am delighted to be joining Defra at this critical time for the UK and the planet. The UK public is rightly concerned about the impacts of environmental degradation and climate change, which are increasingly evident in our everyday lives. Fortunately, there is immense scientific innovation that can support Defra’s mission, from cleaning our waterways and restoring nature to improving the resilience of our rural communities and our food supply to global change. I look forward to joining the Defra team and ensuring that the most cutting-edge scientific understanding is being harnessed to meet the complex challenges we face and deliver for the UK public.”  

Links

GOV.UK news article

UCL Profile for Professor Anjali Goswani

Department of Genetics, Evolution and Environment

Goswami Lab