Professor Anjali Goswami has been appointed as the new Chief
Scientific Adviser at the Department for Environment, Food and
Rural Affairs.
Professor Goswami, who is currently a Research Leader in
Evolutionary Biology at the Natural History Museum, will join the
department from 1 July 2025. She will succeed , who is leaving
Defra after six years in the role.
Professor Goswami is a celebrated scientist who has served as
President of the Linnean Society of London and is a Fellow of the
Royal Society. In addition to her academic achievements, she has
authored a children's book on palaeontology and received numerous
prestigious awards, including the Zoological Society of London
Scientific Medal, the Palaeontological Association President's
Medal, and the Humanists UK Darwin Day Medal.
Defra Permanent Secretary, said:
“World-leading science is fundamental to the research and
development which underpins this department's diverse
responsibilities. I offer my sincere thanks to Gideon for his
dedication and drive throughout his time at Defra for his
scientific leadership and his wider leadership of the department.
He has been an inspiring colleague bringing his values and
commitment to innovation to bear to the benefit of citizens.
“Professor Goswami brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise
from her career in academia and at the Natural History Museum. I
am delighted to have her as part of the Defra leadership team,
providing her science expertise both in Defra and the wider
government scientific community.”
Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural
Affairs, said:
“I would like to thank Professor Henderson for his exceptional
leadership and expert insight as Chief Scientific Adviser.
“Supporting nature's recovery, protecting people and animals from
disease outbreaks, strengthening food security – all our key
areas of focus rely on the world-class advice of our scientists.
I welcome Professor Goswami and look forward to working with her
as this government secures Britain's future under the Plan for
Change.”
Professor Anjali Goswami 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.”
Current Defra Chief Scientific Adviser,
said:
“It's been a challenging but hugely enjoyable privilege to be the
Chief Scientific Advisor at Defra for the last six years.
“The department can be proud of the way it values science and
scientists as it cares for the air, water, food and natural
environment that we all rely on. I will miss working with
passionate colleagues who make sure Defra's wide range work is
always informed by up-to-date and accurate science and
analysis.
“I am pleased to hand over to Anjali who will be a great leader
of Defra's scientific community. She will bring a wealth of
knowledge and insight and I'm confident will continue to put
science and analysis at the heart of Defra's work.”
Professor Anjali Goswami Biography
-
Professor Anjali Goswami is a Research Leader in Evolutionary
Biology at the Natural History Museum and President of the
Linnean Society of London. Her previous roles include Dean of
Postgraduate Education at the Natural History Museum and
Professor of Palaeobiology at UCL.
-
Her research focuses on vertebrate evolution and development,
with a focus on using mathematical approaches to understand
the impact of life history and environmental change on
biodiversity.
-
Professor Goswami was elected to the fellowship of the Royal
Society of London in 2024 and has been awarded the Linnean
Society Bicentenary Medal, the Zoological Society of London
Scientific Medal, the Hind Rattan Award, the Society of
Vertebrate Paleontology Robert L. Carroll award, the
Palaeontological Association President's Medal, and the
Humanists UK Darwin Day Medal.
Notes to editors
- The Defra Chief Scientific Adviser is responsible for
overseeing the quality of evidence that the Department relies on
for policy decisions, providing ministers with scientific advice
and setting the priorities for scientific research and
evidence-gathering.
