The Department for Transport (DfT) has appointed Professor Patricia Thornley as its new chief scientific adviser (CSA), taking over the role from Professor Sarah Sharples, who leaves after four years.
As a highly respected leader in the field of sustainable energy, Professor Thornley is recognised for her extensive contributions to advancing low‑carbon innovation and clean technologies.
She is expected to join the DfT early next year, when she will bring her three decades of experience in bioenergy, clean transport and negative emissions to the department.
Currently based at Aston University, where she directs the Energy and Bioproducts Research Institute, she has led national initiatives such as the Supergen Bioenergy Hub and the Clean Maritime Policy Unit.
As well as this, Professor Thornley also serves as deputy chair of DfT's Scientific Advisory Council and as a member of the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero's Science Advisory Council.
Jo Shanmugalingam, permanent secretary for the DfT, said: ‘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.'
Professor Thornley added: ‘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 a 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, said: ‘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.'
