Anne Glover

Anne Glover

Dame Anne Glover was chief scientific adviser to the president of the European Commission from 2012 to 2014. The role involved the provision of independent expert advice on any aspect of science, technology and innovation as requested by the president of the European Commission. She also acted as an ambassador for European science, both promoting and communicating the benefits and values of science in Europe. The chief scientific adviser post was abolished in November 2014 and the Scientific Advice Mechanism was developed in its place by the Commission. Currently, she is vice principal for external affairs and dean for Europe at the University of Aberdeen, having previously served there as professor of molecular biology and cell biology. Between 2006 and 2011 she was the first chief scientific adviser for Scotland, for which she was awarded a CBE. Dame Anne is an elected fellow of the Royal Society of Edinburgh, the Royal Society of Biology, the Royal Society of Arts, and the American Society for Microbiology. She received a damehood in 2015 in the Queen’s birthday honours.

When Anne Glover was appointed as the first chief scientific adviser to the European Commission in 2011, her role soon caused controversy characterised by mistrust between critics and supporters of the role.

Above: Anne Glover visits...