NEWS STORY : Professor Anjali Goswami Appointed as Defra’s New Chief Scientific Adviser
STORY
The UK government has confirmed the appointment of Professor Anjali Goswami as the new Chief Scientific Adviser at the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra). Professor Goswami, a renowned evolutionary biologist and Research Leader at the Natural History Museum, will assume her role on 1 July 2025, succeeding Professor Gideon Henderson after his six-year tenure.
Professor Goswami brings a wealth of experience to Defra, having served as President of the Linnean Society of London and being a Fellow of the Royal Society. Her accolades include the Zoological Society of London Scientific Medal, the Palaeontological Association President’s Medal, and the Humanists UK Darwin Day Medal. Beyond academia, she has authored a children’s book on palaeontology, reflecting her commitment to science communication.
Expressing her enthusiasm for the new role, Professor Goswami stated, “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.”
Defra’s Permanent Secretary, Tamara Finkelstein, welcomed the appointment, highlighting Professor Goswami’s extensive expertise and her anticipated contributions to the department’s leadership. Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, Steve Reed, also expressed his support, emphasising the crucial role of scientific advice in addressing key environmental challenges.
