Reading professors appointed to research council positions

Friday, 29 January 2016

Professor Tim Wheeler, School of Agriculture, Policy and Development

Two University of Reading academics have been appointed to high-profile positions at the Natural Environment Research Council (NERC).

Professor Tim Wheeler, from the School of Agriculture, Policy and Development, will be joining NERC at the start of April 2016 as its new Director of Science and Innovation, while Professor Rowan Sutton, from the Department of Meteorology, has been appointed to the Scientific Board.

Tim Wheeler is currently Professor of Crop Science at the University of Reading where he has 25 years of world-leading research experience into the effects of climate change on agriculture and food. For the last six years Professor Wheeler has been seconded as Deputy Chief Scientific Adviser to the Department for International Development, where he oversaw portfolios of climate, energy, water, agriculture and health research, amongst others, for impact on international development. He also provided science advice to DFID Ministers, most recently on the 2015/16 El Nino weather event. In 2009/10, Professor Wheeler served as Specialist Adviser in the House of Lords. 

As Director of Science and Innovation, Professor Wheeler will be responsible for the management the best environmental science research portfolio in the world, rigorous yet rapid grants processes, essential PhD training and extensive activities to ensure that the UK is able to take full advantage of the wealth of scientific knowledge we create.

Professor Duncan Wingham, NERC CEO said: “I am delighted that Tim has chosen to join us and am confident his experience and skills are just what we need to lead NERC science and innovation.”

Meanwhile Professor Sutton, who is climate director of research at the NERC-funded National Centre for Atmospheric Science in the University of Reading’s Department of Meteorology, has been appointed as one of seven new members of NERC’s Science Board.

The panel provides the research council with scientific advice and advises on strategic priority of funding new programmes. 

NERC has a £330 million research budget and co-ordinates research projects in areas such as climate change and environmental influences on human health.