New Head of Public Engagement

Imran Khan will lead Wellcome’s Engaging Science team, which supports an innovative programme of public engagement in venues as diverse as science centres, art galleries and music festivals and in formats ranging from performing and visual arts to television, film and games.

The team also works with Wellcome-funded scientists and research centres to help them develop their public engagement activities. It plays an important role in shaping policy and practice across the research community.

Imran Khan commented: "Wellcome is widely recognised as both a leader and pioneer in public engagement, supporting an astounding variety of projects that creatively engage people in conversations about science and health. Developing Wellcome's work in this area will be a huge privilege, and I look forward to working with the team and our partners to shape our future priorities."

Simon Chaplin, Director of Culture and Society at Wellcome Trust, added: "Imran is an exceptional leader who has demonstrated his commitment to broadening engagement with science and creating mutual trust between researchers and the public. I look forward to the energy and insight he will bring to Wellcome’s work, and to the Engaging Science team."

Imran Khan was appointed Chief Executive of the British Science Association (BSA) in 2013 and has spent the last three years leading the BSA's promotion of science as a fundamental part of culture and society. He was previously director of the Campaign for Science & Engineering (CaSE).

Imran will start at Wellcome in September.