#NonExecutiveDirector

Professor David Drewry

Board and Finance Committee Member, UK National Commission for UNESCO Board of Directors.

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David Drewry is a world leading expert on the environment and study of the polar region, his experience includes Director of both the British Antarctic Survey and the Scott Polar Research Institute at Cambridge University.

Holding a Doctorate in Geophysics from Cambridge University, Professor Drewry’s key research interests lie in the environmental sciences and global climate change, where he has published three books and more than 100 research papers (including in Nature and Science). Amongst his vast experience in academia, he has been Vice-Chancellor of the University of Hull between 1999 and 2009, and was previously Director of Science and Technology at the UK Natural Environment Research Council.

David has served on the UN’s Inter-governmental Panel on Climate Change, is Honorary Fellow at Emmanuel College, Cambridge University, Trustee Emeritus at the Natural History Museum, London and recently completed eight years as Vice-President of the European University Association.

He holds Honorary Degrees from several British universities; was awarded the Polar Medal, United States Antarctic Service Medal, Prix de la Belgica Gold Medal of the Belgian Academy of Sciences and Patron’s Gold Medal of the RGS. He also has a mountain and a glacier named after him in Antarctica.

#Institution

University of Cambridge
Honorary Fellow (Emmanuel College)

From 1984

#Alma-Mater

Queen Mary College, BSc. University of Cambridge, PhD.

1969 – 1974

#Role at UNESCO

Director of Natural Sciences, UK National Commission for UNESCO – Board of Directors

SINCE 2017

QUOTE

“I am a geophysicist and have operated in the wider arena of the environment and science policy having worked in and headed research institutes, governmental and multi-national agencies, and universities. I have particular interests in global climate change, marine pollution and the polar regions. I spent many years undertaking research in the Arctic and Antarctic that established my profound belief in the value of international cooperation in science and technology.”

Professor David Drewry

Liaising with the UK’s Permanent Delegation to UNESCO and approved by HM government, our Non-Executive Directors help steer the direction of the UK National Commission for UNESCO, and are each responsible for overseeing a particular field of UNESCO’s work in the UK.

ROLE AT UNESCO

David Drewry is a member of the UK National Commission for UNESCO’s Board of Directors, specialising in Natural Sciences and European Research Policy. He is also a member of the Finance Committee.

Institutions

UK National Commission for UNESCO
Board Member, Natural Sciences Specialist

FROM 2017

European University Association
Vice-President, Chair Research Policy Working Group

FROM 2009 -2017

University of Hull
Vice Chancellor

FROM 1999 – 2009

Natural Environment Research Council
Deputy Chief Executive, Director of Science and Technology

FROM 1994 – 1997

Role at UNESCO

Member of the UK National Commission for UNESCO’s Board of Directors, Natural Sciences Specialist

SINCE 2018

COMMISSION

The UK National Commission for UNESCO

ESTABLISHED 1946 – LONDON, ENGLAND

UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation) is the United Nations body responsible for coordinating international cooperation in education, science, culture and communication. The UKNC is a hub for all UNESCO-related matters in the UK, and the Board of Directors take part in formulating and regularly reviewing the strategic aims of the commission.

Publications

SELECTED PUBLISHED WORK

Read about some of the incredible research projects that David has been a part of.

QUOTE

“Within the UKNC I have an overview of the Natural Sciences. This covers a wide spectrum of activities from Biosphere Reserves, Geoparks, the International Oceanographic Commission, International Geoscience Programme, and the International Hydrological Programme. […] I am also passionate about communicating stories and insights about the vulnerability of our planet to environmental degradation and change.”

Professor David Drewry

RELATED EXPERTS

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FULL LIST

A global network of universities that carry out research to address pressing challenges and contribute.

*by alphabetical order

Our advisors are experts in their field who provide advice to the UK National Commission for UNESCO by reviewing applications for UNESCO designations, prizes and patronage, and contribute to other aspects of our work.

🔮   Explore our #Advisor network     
Professor Matthew Cragoe     

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Rachel Hosker     

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Chris Blandford     

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Tony Crouch     

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Leiutenant Colonal Tim Purbrick     

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All our accredited experts are selected to advise the UK National Commission for UNESCO on policy matters related to UNESCO. They are approved by HM government to represent the UK in UNESCO committees, commissions and programmes.

🎓   Meet our #AccreditedExpert     
Professor Alan Jenkins     

#IHP #Science

Professor Ivor Gaber     

#IPDC #Communication

Professor Harry Dixon     

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Professor Edward Hill     

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Mr Alan Evans     

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UNESCO Chairs are based within Institutes for Higher Education and specialise in specific research fields. They provide policy advice to the UK National Commission for UNESCO and HM government, as well as reviewing UNESCO applications.

🪑   Explore our #Chairs network     
Chair in Geoscience and Society at the University of Plymouth
Chair in Media Freedom, Journalism Safety and the Issue of Impunity at the University of Sheffield
Chair on Analytics and Data Science at the University of Essex
Chair in Adult Literacy and Learning for Social Transformation at University of East Anglia
Chair on Artificial Intelligence at University College of London
Chair on Responsible Foresight for Sustainable Development at the University of Lincoln
Chair in Inclusive and Quality Education for All at the University of Bristol
Chair in New Media Forms of the Book at the University of Bedfordshire
Chair in Refugee Integration through Languages and the Arts at the University of Glasgow
Chair in Water Science at the University of Birmingham
Chair in Cultural Property Protection and Peace at Newcastle University
UNITWIN Network in Global Pharmacy Education Development at the School of Pharmacy, University College London
Chair in the Development of a Sustainable Geoenvironment at Cardiff University
Chair in Globalising a Shared Education Model for Improving Relations in Divided Societies at Queens University Belfast
Chair in Higher Education Management at the University of Bath
Chair in Archaeological Ethics and Practice in Cultural Heritage at Durham University
Chair in Sustainable Mountain Development at the University of the Highlands and Islands
Chair in Gender Research at University of London
Chair in ICT for Development at Royal Holloway, University of London
Chair in Education for Pluralism, Human Rights and Democracy at Ulster University
Chair in Informal Digital Learning in Disadvantaged and Development Contexts at the University of Wolverhampton
UNITWIN Network in Ecohydrological Interfaces Under Change at the University of Birmingham

Liaising with the UK’s Permanent Delegation to UNESCO and approved by HM government, our Non-Executive Directors help steer the direction of the UK National Commission for UNESCO, and are each responsible for overseeing a particular field of UNESCO’s work in the UK.

🧭   Meet our #NonExecutiveDirectors     
Professor Colin McInnes     

#Chair #HumanSciences

Helen Maclagan OBE     

#Vice-Chair #Culture

Karen Merkel     

#Communication&Information

Professor David Drewry     

#NaturalSciences

Professor Anne Anderson OBE     

#HigherEducation

Joseph Nhan-O'Reilly     

#Education

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