Professor Patricia Thornley has been appointed as the new Chief Scientific Adviser (CSA) for the Department for Transport (DfT), effective early next year. The appointment was announced on 2 December 2025. Thornley, a former Professor of Sustainable Energy Systems at the University of Manchester, currently directs the Energy and Bioproducts Research Institute at Aston University. She brings 30 years of experience in bioenergy, clean transport and negative emissions, and has led national initiatives such as the Supergen Bioenergy Hub and the Clean Maritime Policy Unit. She is a fellow of the Royal Academy of Engineering and serves as Deputy Chair of the DfT Scientific Advisory Council. Her predecessor, Professor Sarah Sharples, served for four years before moving to the University of Manchester. Jo Shanmugalingam, DfT Permanent Secretary, welcomed Thornley, noting her expertise will strengthen the department’s science capability.
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https://www.gov.uk/government/news/professor-patricia-thornley-appointed-as-new-dft-chief-scientific-adviser
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