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Anjali Goswami to be UK’s new Chief Scientific Adviser
Currently a Research Leader in Evolutionary Biology at the Natural History Museum, she will take up the post on Jul.1, 2025.
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Pranavi Sharma - Thu, 10, Apr 2025
- 03:02 EDT
- 224
Anjali Goswami / UK Government
Evolutionary biologist Professor Anjali Goswami has been appointed as the new Chief Scientific Adviser at the UK’s Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra), the government announced on Apr.9.
Goswami, currently a Research Leader in Evolutionary Biology at the Natural History Museum, will take up the post on Jul.1, 2025. She will succeed Professor Gideon Henderson, who has held the role for six years.
A Fellow of the Royal Society and former president of the Linnean Society of London, Goswami is widely recognised for her research on vertebrate evolution and the impact of environmental change on biodiversity. Her career has spanned leadership roles in academia, science communication—including a children’s book on palaeontology—and a list of awards that includes the Palaeontological Association President’s Medal and the Humanists UK Darwin Day Medal.
“I am delighted to be joining Defra at this critical time for the UK and the planet,” said Goswami. “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.”
The appointment signals a continuity of Defra’s commitment to science-based policymaking amid growing pressures on the natural environment, the government statement read. Goswami’s research focuses on mathematical approaches to understanding how life history and ecological shifts shape biodiversity—an expertise seen as timely and vital.
“Professor Goswami brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise from her career in academia and at the Natural History Museum,” said Defra Permanent Secretary Tamara Finkelstein. “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.”
Environment Secretary Steve Reed added, “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 Henderson, who is stepping down from the role, expressed confidence in his successor: “It’s been a challenging but hugely enjoyable privilege to be the Chief Scientific Advisor at Defra for the last six years. 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.”
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