Aston University professor appointed as new Department for Transport chief scientific adviser

• Professor Patricia Thornley appointed new chief scientific adviser at Department for Transport

• She has extensive expertise across sustainable energy and clean transport, which will help shape evidence-based policy and advance the UK’s transition to net zero

• Her role will be central to ensuring that excellent science advice sits at the heart of decision making and strengthens coordination across departments through the Chief Scientific Adviser Network.

  
  

Aston University’s Professor Patricia Thornley has been appointed as the new chief scientific adviser (CSA) for the Department for Transport.Professor Thornley is a highly respected leader in the field of sustainable energy, recognised for her extensive contributions to advancing low carbon innovation and clean technologies.

She is currently based at Aston University, where she is based at the Energy and Bioproducts Research Institute. She will join the Department for Transport early next year, where she will be based four days a week, spending one day a week at the University. 

CSAs perform an independent challenge function to their department, ensuring that science and engineering evidence and advice is robust, relevant and high quality, and that there are mechanisms in place to ensure that policy making is underpinned by this.

The professor brings three decades of experience spanning bioenergy, clean transport, and negative emissions. Her leadership of major national initiatives such as the Supergen Bioenergy Hub and the Clean Maritime Policy Unit reflects her ability to connect cutting edge research with real world impact.

Alongside this, she plays an influential role in government science advice as deputy chair of the Department for Transport’s Scientific Advisory Council and as a member of the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero’s Science Advisory Council.Her expertise will be invaluable as the government continues to strengthen innovation across the transport system and the use of science and research in everything it does.Professor Aleks Subic, Vice-Chancellor and Chief Executive of Aston University, said: "Professor Thornley’s appointment recognises her exceptional expertise and leadership in sustainable energy and clean technologies.

At Aston University, she has been instrumental in driving world-class research and innovation through the Energy and Bioproducts Research Institute, delivering real-world impact on the UK’s journey to net zero.

 “We are immensely proud of her achievements and delighted that she has been appointed to the prestigious role of chief scientific adviser to the Department of Transport. Her new role underscores the vital importance of science and engineering in shaping evidence-based policy, and we are confident that she will make a significant impact at the Department for Transport."Jo Shanmugalingam, permanent secretary, 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.”Professor 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 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.” Patricia takes on the role from Professor Sarah Sharples, who served the department as its CSA for four years.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.”Similar to her predecessor, Professor Thornley is a fellow of the Royal Academy of Engineering and was previously professor of sustainable energy systems at the University of Manchester. Professor Sharples will move to The University of Manchester in September as the new vice-president and dean of the Faculty of Science and Engineering.

Chief Scientific Advisers perform an independent challenge function to their department, ensuring that science and engineering evidence and advice is robust, relevant and high quality  and that there are mechanisms in place to ensure that policy making is underpinned by science and engineering.