Dr Corinna Abesser appointed BGS Policy Director
Dr Abesser will be supporting BGS staff in the translation of their science outputs to inform policy and regulation as well as advising senior management on policy-related issues.
08/03/2023 By BGS Press
Dr Corinna Abesser has been appointed as the new BGS Policy Director from 3 April 2023.
Corinna has more than 20 years’ experience in environmental and energy-related research, with projects relating to resource assessment and sustainable use, environmental impacts, policy and regulation.
Currently, she holds the post of head of geothermal energy at BGS, where she has developed and led a portfolio of applied research to advance geothermal knowledge in the UK as well as to inform and influence policy by identifying knowledge gaps and establishing collaborations. Between 2021 and 2022, Corinna also held an academic parliamentary fellowship with the Parliamentary Office of Science and Technology (POST).
As policy director, Corinna will lead BGS interaction with policymakers at all levels of government. This includes coordinating the BGS response to relevant policy priorities, as well as advocacy in bringing key geoscience-related issues to the attention of the policy community. She will assist BGS staff in using their science outputs to inform policy and regulation and advise senior management on policy-related issues that impact the delivery of the BGS Strategy.
In her new role, Corinna will also join the BGS Senior Management Board and contribute to setting strategic corporate priorities for BGS. This responsibility includes planning, implementation, day-to-day leadership and management of BGS, as well as leading and contributing to corporate working groups and committees.
I am really excited to be taking on the role of BGS Policy Director and look forward to engaging with policymakers across the UK to ensure BGS science and research is available to our key decision makers. As a keen advocate of evidence-based decision making, I will support colleagues across the organisation to identify and pursue opportunities for informing policy and regulation to ensure our research delivers the highest possible impact.
Dr Corinna Abesser, new BGS Policy Director.
On behalf of BGS and the BGS Board, we are delighted to welcome Corinna to her new role. Corinna brings a wealth of experience in policy and regulation to the position and is well-placed to take the lead in enhancing our relationship with the large policy community in the UK and its nations.
Dr Karen Hanghøj, BGS Director.
Related news
UK and Philippines scientists investigate natural hydrogen generation processes at atomic scale
22/06/2026
BGS researchers were granted access to use the Diamond Light Source facility in order to study hydrogen in light brighter than the sun.
Shortage of end-of-life materials presents challenge to UK critical minerals security
17/06/2026
A new report by the UK Critical Minerals Intelligence Centre reveals insufficient end-of-life material stocks present a supply risk over the coming decade, but offer significant long-term potential to meet critical mineral demand through recycling.
UK geothermal catalogue receives update
16/06/2026
BGS releases the second digital version of the UK geothermal catalogue of subsurface temperature and rock thermal conductivity measurements and heat flow calculations.
Scientists make new discovery in the history of the Giant’s Causeway
15/06/2026
New research is changing our scientific understanding of the formation of one of the UK’s most iconic landmarks and has revealed that Northern Ireland’s volcanic past occurred over a much shorter period than previously thought.
Latest research emphasises climate-related subsidence risk to millions of British homes
11/06/2026
New data from BGS highlights the projected future impact of warmer, drier summers and underlines the need for mitigation measures in susceptible regions.
Ukraine and the UK strengthen their commitment to geological cooperation
10/06/2026
A new Memorandum of Understanding reaffirms the UK’s support of Ukraine’s ambitions to develop its critical mineral resources, paving the way for collaboration through capacity-building programmes.
Newly released core could hold clues on potential mineral prospectivity in Perthshire
05/06/2026
A comprehensive collection of geological samples from the vicinity of a former mine in Scotland is now available to scientists for further research.
Latest data on world mineral production now available
25/05/2026
BGS has released the updated statistics on the global production of over 70 commodities between 2020 and 2024.
International science consortium to survey the health, economic value and social importance of Lake Victoria
22/05/2026
The project will replicate the 1927 survey to assess changes in the lake’s health, economic value and social importance.
New geological maps of Berwick-upon-Tweed to help future-proof natural water supply
20/05/2026
Scientists have mapped the geology under the town to better understand the groundwater system to inform decisions around abstraction.
BGS contributes to UN sand and sustainability report
19/05/2026
The new report highlights the impact of poor governance and unsustainable sand mining practices, calling on policymakers to take action.
BGS engineering geologist elected to CCOP
29/04/2026
Marcus Dobbs has been elected as vice-chair of the advisory group for the Coordinating Committee for Geoscience Programmes in East and Southeast Asia.