The Department for Transport (DfT) has appointed Professor Patricia Thornley as its next Chief Scientific Adviser, bringing in a leading figure in sustainable energy and clean transport to guide scientific input into government policy. She will assume the post early next year while transitioning from her current role at Aston University.
Professor Thornley is widely recognised for her work across low carbon innovation and sustainable engineering. At Aston University, she heads the Energy and Bioproducts Research Institute and has led several major national programmes, including the Supergen Bioenergy Hub and the Clean Maritime Policy Unit. Her career spans three decades across bioenergy, clean transport and negative emissions technologies.
In addition to her academic and research leadership, she is already closely connected to government advisory work. She serves as Deputy Chair of the DfT’s Scientific Advisory Council and sits on the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero’s Science Advisory Council.
Professor Thornley succeeds Professor Sarah Sharples, who held the CSA post for four years before moving to the University of Manchester in September to become vice-president and dean of the Faculty of Science and Engineering. Like her predecessor, Professor Thornley is a fellow of the Royal Academy of Engineering and previously held a professorship in Sustainable Energy Systems at the University of Manchester.
Her appointment comes as the government continues to expand the use of research and innovation across the transport sector.
Jo Shanmugalingam, Permanent Secretary at the DfT, said: “Science, innovation and technology are at the heart of how we’re modernising transport for today’s world.”
“I’m thrilled to welcome Patricia as our new Chief Scientific Adviser. Her experience in research and innovation will be invaluable as we continue to strengthen our science capability.”
Accepting the role, Professor Patricia Thornley said: “Transport touches on the lives of practically everyone and so it is a huge honour and privilege to be appointed as Chief Scientific Adviser to the Department for Transport.”
“The responsibility for providing scientific evidence to inform government decision-making in transport will build on my sustainable engineering background, but the UK academic community has vast breadth and depth of expertise applicable to transport and so positively drawing on that will be vital.”
“Aston University thrives on applying engineering understanding for societal impact and benefit and I look forward to continuing to do just that as Chief Scientific Adviser at DfT.”
Government Chief Scientific Adviser, Professor Dame Angela McLean, added: “Congratulations to Professor Patricia Thornley on being appointed as the Department for Transport’s new Chief Scientific Adviser. An experienced researcher, she will bring great insight into sustainability to the chief scientist network. I look forward to working with her.”
