Astrophysicist appointed chief scientist at the Foreign Office

The Foreign Office has hired Carole Mundell, head of astrophysics at the University of Bath and a professor of extragalactic astronomy, as its next chief scientific adviser.

Mundell is a world-renowned scientist who has studied gamma-ray bursts and black holes. She has been a board member of the Science and Technology Facilities Council.

As Foreign Office chief scientific adviser, Mundell is expected to focus on the UK’s exit from the European Union, using science to tackle global challenges and applying science diplomacy to strengthen UK bilateral relationships.