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Government Chief Scientific Adviser visits University of York

Government Chief Scientific Adviser visits University of York

Posted on 19 February 2025

The Government Chief Scientific Adviser (GCSA) visited the University of York to find out more about its leading research programmes and how universities are playing a vital role in driving regional economic growth.

Dame Angela learns about Dr Liz Rylott's project at the BioYorkshire lab, exploring how engineering biology can create plant-based solutions to recover technology critical metals like nickel.

Professor Dame Angela McLean (GCSA) visited the BioYorkshire lab and the Institute for Safe Autonomy - world-class facilities at the forefront of scientific research and innovation in the bioeconomy and autonomous systems.

Dame Angela also toured the York Biomedical Research Institute, which uses state-of-the-art technology to advance understanding of chronic and infectious diseases to positively impact health and wellbeing and York Structural Biology Laboratory where researchers develop widely-used and highly-cited computational methods used by structural biologists, both academic and industrial, worldwide.

She also visited the Wolfson Atmospheric Chemistry Laboratories where researchers study air pollutants which cost the UK economy over £10bn per year through health and environmental impacts, and the Green Chemistry Centre of Excellence where researchers are developing new green and sustainable processes and providing practical solutions for current industrial and environmental challenges.

Transformative impacts

Dame Angela has been the GCSA since April 2023, and is Head of the Government Science and Engineering Profession. Prior to this, she was the Chief Scientific Adviser for the Ministry of Defence and a Professor of Mathematical Biology in the Department of Zoology at Oxford University.

As GCSA, Dame Angela is responsible for putting excellent science advice at the heart of decision making. She has a particular interest in engineering biology and its transformative impacts on society, particularly across sustainable foods and low carbon materials.

Future of innovation

During the visit, Dame Angela discussed insights on the future of innovation and the role of universities in driving regional economic growth with academics and senior leaders at the University.

The discussions delved into the critical role of research and development (R&D) clusters in stimulating regional economic growth.

Fantastic facilities

Professor Dame Angela McLean said: “The research and development taking place at universities contributes towards economic growth across the UK. It was great to visit the University of York to see first-hand the fantastic facilities and the research being conducted there which aids this mission, and to learn how this research informs policy at local, regional and national level.”

Driving economic development

Vice-Chancellor Professor Charlie Jeffery said: “Universities play a crucial role in driving economic development within our cities and regions. By providing the necessary expertise and resources, we enable innovative ideas to transition from concept to reality.

“York research is driving forward UK efforts to become “quantum ready”, advancing understanding of chronic and infectious diseases and producing evidence and insight to deliver cleaner air, lower emissions and reduced environmental impacts.

“We generate world-leading engineering biology research, a critical enabling technology in translating discoveries into products useful to industry. It is at the heart of what we do across BioYorkshire and our unique regional strength in the bioeconomy will use science and research to develop new materials, technologies and processes aimed to support food security, net zero, the circular economy and sustainable environment, all while powering local economic growth.”