Dr Jasdeep Sandhu is the Head of Chief Scientific Adviser's Cabinet, Research and Evidence Division at Department for International Development (DfID). Jasdeep is a trained neuroscientist with a PhD degree from the Institute of Psychiatry at King’s College London. Her research expertise includes acute and chronic diseases of the brain, neuroimaging and neuroprotective therapies.
In 2010, Jasdeep joined the UK Government Office for Science, holding key science and policy advisory roles, and supporting the Government Chief Scientific Adviser (GCSA) in all aspects of his work in advising the Prime Minister and senior Government officials on scientific issues of national and international importance. During her time at GO-Science she conducted the GCSA’s Science and Engineering Assurance Reviews of central Government departments, including reviews of the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS), the Department for International Development (DfID) and the Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC).
Jasdeep’s current role helps DfID to be more systematic in demonstrating the evidence of the Department's impact on global poverty reduction through rigorous research, evaluation and active engagement with policy makers.
Her interests include the role of science, engineering and technology in improving the lives of the poorest people in the world; science diplomacy; international development and poverty reduction; and the role of science and technology in economic growth for development.