PML's Prof. Nicola Beaumont appointed to government advisory council

The UK’s Department for Environment, Food And Rural Affairs (Defra) are responsible for improving and protecting the environment, aiming to grow a green economy and sustain thriving rural communities. They also support the UK’s food, farming and fishing industries.

Defra’s Science Advisory Council (SAC) is an advisory non-departmental public body, providing expert independent advice on science policy and strategy to Defra.

The SAC is formed of 11 independent senior academics and the objectives of the council are to:

• advise and support Defra on developing and implementing an effective and efficient strategy for obtaining and using evidence and scientific advice
• advise on and provide assurance on the process for evidence gathering
• provide strategic oversight and assurance on how evidence is used in policy, providing targeted support where necessary
• provide constructive challenge on Defra’s evidence
• identify sources of additional expert external advice to input to Defra evidence

Prof. Beaumont, who is Head of Science for Sea and Society at PML, will be the SAC’s latest member, with the appointment commencing 10^th February 2025.

Nicola joined PML in 2005 as an Environmental Economist and has since become an internationally-established expert in the assessment and valuation of biodiversity, ecosystem services and natural capital. She has been awarded honorary professorships at both the University of East Anglia and the University of Exeter, highlighting her outstanding contribution towards collaborative science.

Regarding research, her expertise spans a variety of environmental challenges, including: renewable energy, plastics, nitrogen pollution, flood and erosion management, climate change, ocean acidification, and marine planning and policy.

Nicola has published more than 80 peer reviewed publications, is an editor for the Journals of Environmental Economics and Policy, and Coastal Futures, and has also published more than 20 influential reports, including reports for the UK Cabinet Office, the European Marine Board, Defra, and the Crown Estate. She has contributed to international policy as well as to a number of high-level reports, including acting as the lead economist for marine and coastal margins for the UK National Ecosystem Assessment (NEA) and The Economics of Biodiversity: The Dasgupta Review.

Professor Nicola Beaumont, PML’s Head of Science for the Sea and Society Science Area, said:

“It is a deep honour to be invited to join Defra’s Science Advisory Council, alongside the existing membership of such eminent scientists. I thoroughly enjoyed my time on the advisory committee for Defra’s Marine Natural Capital and Ecosystem Assessment programme and hope the experience and lessons gained there will start me off with a good footing in the SAC. I look forward to contributing to the evaluation of evidence used by Defra to help support the UK’s natural environment, as well as the businesses and people who rely on it.”

Find out more on Defra’s website, ‘Four new members appointed and two reappointed to Defra’s Science Advisory Council’ >>