Three academics from the University of Cambridge have been appointed to the UK Department for Energy Security and Net Zero's new Science and Technology Advisory Council (STAC). The council convened for its first meeting on July 9, 2025.
The appointees are Engineering Professor Julian Allwood from St Catharine's College, Cambridge Zero Director Professor Emily Shuckburgh from Darwin College, and Cambridge Energy Policy Research Group Director Emeritus Professor David Newbery from Churchill College. They join a group of 17 expert advisors tasked with providing scientific evidence-based information to aid the UK's transition to clean power by 2030.
The council will also offer independent viewpoints and research on climate science, energy networks, engineering, technology, and artificial intelligence. UK Energy Secretary Ed Miliband emphasized the importance of "evidence-based decision-making" in addressing the climate crisis.
Professor Allwood directs the Use Less Group at Cambridge and focuses on zero emissions technologies like electric cement. Professor Shuckburgh leads Cambridge Zero and has an extensive background in environmental data science. She previously worked at the British Antarctic Survey leading research on the Southern Ocean's role in climate change. Professor Newbery is associated with both Cambridge and University College London.
The council aims to provide ministers with current scientific evidence to enhance policy decisions. STAC is led by Co-Chairs Professor Paul Monks and Professor David Greenwood.