Natural History Museum Scientist Professor Anjali Goswami appointed as Chief Science Advisor at Defra

The Defra Chief Scientific Adviser is responsible for overseeing the quality of evidence that the Department relies on for policy decisions, providing ministers with scientific advice and setting the priorities for scientific research and evidence-gathering.

Anjali is a Research Leader and Individual Merit Researcher in Evolutionary Biology at the NHM. Her work on animal evolution through deep time has been transformative to developing and understanding patterns in vertebrate evolution and diversity. Much of Anjali’s work has focussed on developing new mathematical methods to measure the complex shape of organisms and use this evidence in comparing species and tracing evolution.

Upon the appointment, Anjali said: “As all of us at the Natural History Museum know, we are in the midst of a planetary emergency, and it will require huge effort from scientists, policymakers, and the public to solve this crisis. As a museum scientist, I’ve been able to help translate our understanding of the natural world for the general public. I am delighted to build on this experience and contribute to the important work of government as Chief Science Advisor for Defra, translating the most cutting-edge scientific understanding for policymakers so we are best able to meet the complex challenges ahead.”

Natural History Museum Executive Director of Science Tim Littlewood said: “We are delighted to see Professor Anjali Goswami become Chief Science Advisor for Defra. Anjali’s ambitious research work and innovative approaches make her ideally suited for the role. I look forward to continuing to work with Anjali at the Museum alongside this exciting new role.”

Defra Permanent Secretary, Tamara Finkelstein said: “World-leading science is fundamental to the research and development which underpins this department’s diverse responsibilities. I offer my sincere thanks to Gideon for his dedication and drive throughout his time at Defra for his scientific leadership and his wider leadership of the department.  He has been an inspiring colleague bringing his values and commitment to innovation to bear to the benefit of citizens.” 

“Professor Goswami brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise from her career in academia and at the Natural History Museum. 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.” 

Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, Steve Reed said: “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.” 

In addition to her analytical work on evolution, Anjali has undertaken fossil field expeditions from Svalbard to Madagascar, currently leading work in Argentina and India to understand the huge change in global biodiversity 66 million years ago, the mass extinction event that wiped out the dinosaurs.

Anjali has published more than 140 scientific articles on the evolution of different groups from insects to dinosaurs, but her main interest is in the evolution of mammals. She heads an active research group of postdoctoral and postgraduate scientists at the Museum with wide ranging grant-funded collaborations internationally.

Anjali has completed a period as Dean of the Graduate Centre at the Museum, leading development and delivery of joint postgraduate programmes with a number of UK universities and driving innovative approaches to diversity and inclusion. She has previously led the Natural History Museum Research Theme on Phenomics and Advanced Analysis and the Research Theme on the Evolution of Planets and Life.

In addition to her roles at the Museum, Anjali was elected to the Fellowship of the Royal Society, the UK’s national academy of sciences in 2024 and is Honorary Professor of Palaeobiology at University College London (UCL) in the Department of Genetics, Evolution, and Environment. In 2022, she was elected President of the Linnean Society of London, the world’s oldest active biological society and where Darwin’s theory of evolution was first presented in 1858.

Educated at the University of Michigan and with a doctorate from the University of Chicago, Anjali has worked on form, function and evolution of the vertebrate skull, looking at patterns of development and diversity over millions of years. She held a National Science Foundation international postdoctoral fellowship at the Natural History Museum, before becoming a lecturer first at the University of Cambridge from 2007, then from 2009 at University College London (UCL). Promoted to Reader in 2013, she became Professor of Palaeobiology at UCL in 2016. In 2017, she became principal investigator and research leader at the Natural History Museum.

Anjali has played an active role in the Society of Vertebrate Palaeontology and the International Society for Vertebrate Morphology and has given keynote lectures at numerous conferences. She has taken editorial responsibility with a number of significant scientific journals. She has been awarded the Humanists UK Darwin Day Medal in 2023, Palaeontological Association President’s Medal, 2021, the Society of Vertebrate Palaeontology inaugural Robert Lynn Carroll award, 2021, the Zoological Society of London Scientific Medal, 2018, and the Linnean Society of London Bicentenary Medal, 2016.

ENDS

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About the Natural History Museum:

The Natural History Museum is a world-leading scientific research centre and one of the world’s most visited museums. Our mission is to create advocates for the planet – people who act for nature.

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