Professor Anjali Goswami becomes Defra's new Chief Scientist
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 Professor Gideon Henderson, 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, Tamara Finkelstein 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, Steve Reed 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, Professor Gideon Henderson 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
- 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.
