DrOwen Jackson

Dr Owen Jackson is Director of the Policy Forum, connecting Imperial’s world-class research to the policy debates that matter. Prior to this he was Director of Policy and Public Affairs at Cancer Research UK, the world’s largest independent funder of cancer research. He previously worked in the UK’s Government Office for Science, where he was Deputy Director for Global Issues and Opportunities, responsible for developing science and research policy with the Government Chief Scientific Adviser, Sir Patrick Vallance.  

Owen has a wealth of experience in strategy, policy development and programme delivery from a decade and a half of experience in the Civil Service and charity sector. Previous roles include serving as Deputy Director at the Geospatial Commission, Assistant Director in the Civil Contingencies Secretariat in the Cabinet Office, and Private Secretary to the National Security Adviser. He has held several roles operating at the interface between science, research and policy, is a Policy Fellow at the Royal Academy of Engineering and was the Cabinet Office’s first Head of Profession for Science and Engineering. His research background is in microbiology.