Forest Research appoints new Chief Scientist

Forest Research (FR), Great Britain’s principal agency for tree-related research and internationally renowned for the provision of evidence and scientific services in support of sustainable forestry, has confirmed that Dr Bianca Ambrose-Oji, currently Head of its Society and Environment Research Group, will succeed Professor Chris Quine FRSE as Chief Scientist, following Professor Quine’s decision to retire from the role at the end of April 2025. She will take up the role at the beginning of June 2025.

Bianca obtained a Master’s degree in Forestry from the University of Oxford and a doctorate in Tropical Forestry and Environmental Sociology from Imperial College, University of London. Joining FR in October 2008, her career spans more than 30 years as a social forester, including time as an action researcher, consultant, practitioner, professional trainer and as a university lecturer.

She has experience working in the UK, Europe, Africa and Asia. Bianca’s recent research includes co-leading FR’s Woodland Creation and Expansion research programme and she held a five-year visiting professorship at the University of Wageningen, the term concluding in 2023.

Professor James Pendlebury, Chief Executive at Forest Research, said: “I’m delighted to announce that FR’s new Chief Scientist is Dr Bianca Ambrose-Oji.

“While Bianca is a qualified forester with considerable international experience, she’s probably best known for her research in the field of social science. She has an impressive publication record and international reputation for her work and was recently a Visiting Professor at the University of Wageningen.

“Bianca is FR’s first-ever woman Chief Scientist or Director of Research. She brings passion, energy and a focus on science quality to her new role which will be pivotal in helping us meet forestry’s future challenges successfully.”

Dr Bianca Ambrose-Oji said: “I’m excited to take up the post of Chief Scientist at Forest Research. It’s a real honour, and it feels like a call to action.

“Action to support Forest Research’s ongoing remit to provide the applied science that can mitigate some of the threats facing our forests, woodlands and treescapes. Action to support individual scientists, science groups and research services to navigate the potential, as well as the challenges, associated with new technologies, artificial intelligence, smart data and other innovations, that are now driving change across the full range of forest sciences undertaken by Forest Research.

“I look forward to working with my colleagues and with the wider forestry sector on this journey. I’ll do my best to support the advancement of knowledge and the delivery of impactful science and evidence.”