- new chief scientific adviser appointed, reinforcing our
leadership in science at a national level
- she brings 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
The Department for Transport (DfT) has appointed Professor
Patricia Thornley as its new Chief Scientific Adviser
(CSA).
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
directs the Energy and Bioproducts Research Institute and will
join DfT early next
year.
She brings 3 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 DfT's
Scientific Advisory
Council and as a member of the Department for Energy
Security and Net Zero's Science Advisory Council.
Patricia takes on the role from Professor Sarah Sharples, who
served the department as its chief scientific adviser for 4
years. Professor Sharples moved to the University of Manchester
in September as the new vice-president and dean of the Faculty of
Science and Engineering.
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.
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.
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 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 , 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.
