The President for the 2008 Festival of Science has just been announced. Sir David King will take over the role from the current President, Lord Browne of Madingley, at the end of 2007 when he steps down from his role as the Government's Chief Scientific Adviser. The theme Sir David has chosen for the Festival is 'Sustainability through Science' and he will deliver his Presidential Address at the 2008 Festival in Liverpool.
The 'Sustainability through Science' theme will shape some of the events at the festival, attracting world-class scientists in the field and engaging the public in important scientific issues such as climate change and sustainability.
Sir David was appointed as the Government's Chief Scientific Adviser and Head of the Office of Science and Technology(1) in October 2000. During his time in office, his work has included developing a sustainable long-term strategy for the UK’s energy policy and he was heavily involved in producing the UK's ten-year Science and Innovation Framework, which is applicable until 2014. He runs the Government's Foresight Programme, which aims to provide challenging visions of the future, to ensure that effective strategies are developed now.
In addition to his work in HM Government, Sir David has had a distinguished scientific career. From 1988-2005 he held the position of 1920 Professor of Physical Chemistry at the University of Cambridge and was also Head of the University Chemistry Department from 1993-2000. He continues as Director of Research at the University of Cambridge.
Sir David joins a list of distinguished Presidents who have included Professor Thomas Huxley, Professor Sir JJ Thomson, Professor Dorothy Hodgkin, Sir David Attenborough and Professor Robert Winston.
(1) In April 2006 the Office of Science and Technology merged with the DTI’s Innovation Group to become the Office of Science and Innovation.