Professor Carole Mundell was appointed Chief Scientific Adviser (CSA) at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office in October 2018 and was appointed to the role of International Science Envoy at the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office in January 2021. She is Professor of Extragalactic Astronomy, Head of Astrophysics at the University of Bath, holds the Hiroko Sherwin Chair in Extragalactic Astronomy and is a Fellow of the Institute of Physics. Her career highlights include: Royal Society Wolfson Research Merit Award (2011 to 2016) for the study of black hole-driven explosions and the dynamic Universe; FDM Everywoman in Technology Woman of the Year (2016); Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC) Board Member and STFC Skills and Engagement Advisory Board Chair (2015).
Carole studied at the University of Glasgow where she gained a BSc in Physics before working at the Jodrell Bank Observatory, University of Manchester, where she completed a PhD in Astrophysics. She later moved to the University of Maryland before joining Liverpool John Moores University, where she received her first professorship in 2007. A world-leading scientist, she is a frequent guest speaker at international conferences. She sits on a number of strategic advisory panels for UK and international groups, is a committed communicator of science, and is an advocate for diversity in science.