Dr Francesca Gauntlett is Head of Research, Evidence and Dissemination at the Office for Product Safety and Standards in BEIS. She has worked for over 15 years as a scientist in government, always on the interface of science and policy, or in an evidence-broker role.

Prior to working in product safety, Francesca worked in Defra and the Animal and Plant Health Agency. The remit of her roles in the Defra CSA’s Office was evidence assurance, science capability and quality, and she held a number of science roles at APHA related to exotic animal disease outbreak investigation and preparedness (notably, Avian Influenza and Foot-and-Mouth disease), including commissioning modelling and translating findings into policy recommendations for disease control, and, most recently as Head of International Disease Monitoring and Risk.

She’s passionate about ensuring good quality science and evidence informs policy and regulatory activity. She believes that the role of knowledge broker is in itself a specialism that sits within the wide range of exciting science jobs that exist within government.

With a PhD in avian virology (Royal Veterinary College, London and Institute for Animal Health, Compton), MSc in Epidemiology (Imperial College, London), MSc in Biochemistry (University of Poitiers, France), and a BSc (Hons) in Genetics with French (University of Liverpool), Francesca is a Chartered Scientist and a Member of the Institution of Environmental Sciences. She loves nature, science and muddy walking boots.