{"id":32954,"date":"2020-01-09T13:03:38","date_gmt":"2020-01-09T13:03:38","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.bgs.ac.uk\/?p=32954"},"modified":"2022-08-12T13:23:37","modified_gmt":"2022-08-12T13:23:37","slug":"prof-john-rees-appointed-bgs-chief-scientist-for-multi-hazards-and-resilience","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.bgs.ac.uk\/news\/prof-john-rees-appointed-bgs-chief-scientist-for-multi-hazards-and-resilience\/","title":{"rendered":"Prof John Rees appointed BGS Chief Scientist for Multi-Hazards and Resilience"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Prof John Rees has been appointed by BGS to be its new Chief Scientist for Multi-Hazards and Resilience.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This important post will complete BGS\u2019s new Science Strategy Group to deliver the objectives set out in its science strategy, Gateway to the Earth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Natural hazardous processes have significant effects on economic growth, the built environment, lives and livelihoods.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Prof Rees will oversee the delivery of fundamental scientific research to monitor, analyse and reduce the risk of geological hazards using multiple data sources and approaches.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Based at the Lyell Centre in Edinburgh, but working across all BGS sites, the role takes leadership of around 100 academic and scientific staff.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Key areas of focus for the BGS will be to support decision-making, working with partners worldwide to reduce risks, support development and identify ways to help communities, government and business build resilience to hazardous events.<\/p>\n\n\n\t\t\t

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Prof Rees, who will begin his appointment in February 2020, said:<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m delighted to take up leadership of the BGS Multi-Hazard and Resilience challenge area. The need to address and manage multi-hazard risks is fast-growing in our inter-connected, inter-dependent world.<\/p>\n

\u201cBy driving cutting-edge science and the harmonisation of different strands of hazard and risk research, BGS will be seen as a key provider of sound, relevant information for business and policy-makers worldwide.\u201d<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/blockquote>\n\t\t\t\n\n\n

Prof Rees has an impressive background in science and leadership. His knowledge and experience has shaped world-class research and innovation on critically important topics including urban, coastal and marine hazards, climate impacts and disaster risk reduction, both globally and in the UK.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This has been instrumental in shaping the BGS\u2019 corporate policy, helping to carve its strategic direction on climate change and environmental risks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Outside of the BGS, his work for the Natural Environment Research Council (NERC), UK Innovation (UKRI) and the United Nations (UN) has offered important leadership to develop multi-partner, transdisciplinary initiatives and collaborative models that help advance societal resilience to environmental risks.<\/p>\n\n\n\t\t\t

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Director of the BGS, Dr Karen Hangh\u00f8j, said:<\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019re delighted to appoint John to the role. His profile and reputation in science leadership will be fundamental to delivering the ambitions set out in our new Science Strategy, and we\u2019re very much looking forward to drawing on his research, reputation and experience.<\/p>\n

\u201cHis appointment is another exciting example of how the BGS is committed to delivering research and innovation that drives our vision for a safer, more sustainable and prosperous planet and a future based on sound geoscientific solutions.\u201d<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/blockquote>\n\t\t\t\n\n

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