Head of Stakeholder Engagement - Science, Technology and Innovation Insights Team, Government Office for Science

Policy Fellow Alumnus, Centre for Science and Policy

Shaarad joined the Government Office for Science in June 2021, becoming the Head of Stakeholder Engagement - Science, Technology and Innovation Insights Team.

Prior to this, Shaarad worked at the Royal Academy of Engineering, having built and lead Engineering X - a scalable international collaboration model which bought together some of the worlds leading engineers and problem solvers to tackle the great challenges of our age. He oversaw the design and delivery of 5 global, multi-faceted programmes in areas such as Safer Complex Systems, Safer End of Engineered Life, Education, SDGs and Pandemic Preparedness. Since 2019, the programmes have engaged 1000+ experts, funded 100+ projects and commissioned 3 major reports under these missions and further challenges are being scoped which could benefit from engineering expertise.

Previously, as Programme Manager with the Royal Academy of Engineering, Shaarad Sharma oversaw the design and delivery of the Academy’s array of activities under the Newton Fund – a BIS-funded programme to create science, innovation and R&D linkages with 15 ‘emerging power’ countries to promote economic development.

Prior to joining the Academy, Shaarad conducted a Master of Public Administration from Columbia University, USA, and a Master of Public Policy from Hertie School of Governance, Berlin, within which he advised the Kazakhstan government on the strategic development of its High Tech SME sector. Before his Masters Shaarad worked for three years in the design and delivery of high-level public administration and policy reform advisory projects in developing countries with Adam Smith International. This included a year in Kenya where he managed consulting projects throughout Sub Saharan Africa. Shaarad also worked in Bangalore, India for 1.5 years with the Public Affairs Centre, a governance Think Tank, managing a grant funding programme which supported CSOs to conduct evidence-based advocacy for improved public service delivery across South Asia.