The Foundation for Science and Technology has appointed Gavin Costigan as its new Chief Executive from 1 February 2019.
Gavin is currently Director of Public Policy at our University, where he has made a substantial contribution to increasing the public policy impact of our research. He will continue to spend one day per week at Southampton to focus on making the Universities Policy Engagement Network a success.
Gavin commented:
“It is an exciting time to be taking over at the Foundation of Science and Technology and I am looking forward to this new challenge. I have really enjoyed leading Public Policy|Southampton and am delighted that I will still be spending one day a week at the University.”
Prior to joining Southampton in his previous role as Director of the Vice-Chancellor’s Office, Gavin served as a senior civil servant in central government, leading the global network of UK science attaches in the Foreign Office. He also led the team responsible for the UK’s international science and innovation policy. Before that he spent several years in roles overseeing the work and funding of the Research Councils.
The Rt Hon the Lord Willetts FRS, Chair of the Foundation, said:
“I am delighted to welcome Gavin as the new Chief Executive. He brings substantial knowledge of science and technology from both government and higher education and joins the Foundation at a time when the key issues of the future of science and innovation will be hotly debated.”
