BBSRC Interim Deputy Executive Chair
Dr Amanda Collis is Interim Deputy Executive Chair at the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC).
Amanda studied for a degree in plant sciences and PhD in fungal molecular biology before joining BBSRC in 1998. She has extensive experience of the UK research councils with strong interests in basic and strategic research, multidisciplinary approaches, funding partnerships and research infrastructures.
Amanda has broad experience in UK science policy, including time spent on secondment to the Houses of Parliament, Research Councils UK and detached duty to the British Consulate General, Boston where she worked alongside the UK government’s Science and Innovation Network.
Amanda is a Fellow of the Royal Society of Biology.
As Interim Deputy Executive Chair, Amanda’s role focuses on:
- high-level strategic thinking for the long-term development of bioscience research and innovation strategy
- design and development of major strategic themes working with national and international partners
- leading cross-cutting areas that span the interests of UK Research and Innovation (UKRI), and which are also central to BBSRC’s mission
- international representational duties including for the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development, the European Molecular Biology Laboratory and the Human Frontiers Science Programme
- acting as an ambassador, representing and promoting BBSRC and bioscience within UKRI, and with UK based, and international stakeholders
Amanda’s substantive role is Executive Director of Research Strategy and Programmes, a role she has held since 2016 in which she has responsibility for:
- frontier and interdisciplinary research
- science strategy, including horizon scanning
- responsive and strategic programmes
- international
- tools and technologies
Last updated: 21 September 2023