Angela McLean
UK Government chief scientific adviser and Council for Science and Technology co-chair.
Angela McLean became the UK Government Chief Scientific Adviser in April 2023. A mathematical biologist, she brings research on infectious disease and experience in defence Science to government advice.
Last refreshed: 22 October 2026 · Appears in 1 active topic
Timeline for Angela McLean
Science advisers ask Narayan for an AI Sovereignty Plan
UK Startups and InnovationBackground
Angela McLean is the UK Government Chief Scientific Adviser and head of the Government Science and Engineering Profession. She took up the chief adviser role in April 2023 after serving as chief scientific adviser at the Ministry of Defence. Her responsibilities include scientific advice to the prime minister and Cabinet, and strengthening how government uses that advice. [Official biography](https://www.GOV.UK/government/people/angela-mclean)
McLean's academic work uses mathematical models to understand how infectious agents evolve and spread. Before her government appointment, she was professor of mathematical biology at Oxford and a fellow of All Souls College. She also helped develop the Oxford Martin School Restatements, which present evidence on contested policy questions for readers without specialist training.
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Written with AI from Lowdown's published reporting. Not individually reviewed by an editor. Updated 22 October 2026. Editorial standards.