Summary
Dr Rupert Lewis joined NERC in April 2025 as the NERC Deputy Executive Chair. Prior to joining NERC, Rupert was the Chief Science Policy Officer at the Royal Society, the UK’s independent scientific academy, dedicated to promoting excellence in science for the benefit of humanity. The policy team lead work on climate, the biosphere, innovation and emerging technologies, data and AI, science policy and education.
Before joining the Royal Society Rupert led the Government Office for Science (GO-Science) which supports the Government’s Chief Scientific Adviser, in providing advice to the Prime Minister and to the Cabinet. His previous roles include head of Automotive policy, deputy Chief Scientific Adviser (Business Department), and head of Climate Adaptation policy. He also set up the Prime Minister’s ‘Business Council for Britain’ during the financial crisis. Rupert has a BSc in Marine Biology, a PhD in genetics, and worked on aquaculture development and start-ups in SE Asia, South Africa, and Europe prior to joining Government in 2002.