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NOC Events
Professor Ian Wright announced as NOC Deputy Director of Science and Technology
Professor Ian Wright is this week announced as the National Oceanography Centre’s first Deputy Director of Science and Technology.
The focus of this pivotal role will be to recruit, develop and lead a world-class, balanced team of scientists and technologists employed by, or seconded to NERC, supporting the centre’s Director of Science and Technology, Professor Andrew Willmott, in managing this newly created Directorate.
In his Centre-wide role, which includes membership of the NOC Executive Board, the Southampton-based Deputy Director of Science and Technology will have particular responsibility for supporting and encouraging the vibrant interactions between NERC’s research teams and academic researchers across the University of Southampton. A key priority will be continuing the development of the PhD student community at Southampton in partnership with the University, and fostering closer collaborative work with the University of Liverpool, NOC’s other hosting partner.
Ian will contribute to the already highly successful winning of competitive research funds and the delivery of high impact, internationally recognised marine science and technology, and ensuring the continued and effective management of projects and programmes through UK-wide and international collaboration.
Supporting and communicating the wider societal and economic impacts and knowledge exchange, which stem from NOC science and technology programmes, also falls within the Deputy Director of Science and Technology’s remit.
Ian said: “I am delighted to be given this opportunity at a marine research and technology centre that has a truly world-leading status. The months ahead will be challenging for NOC, with the implementation of a new organisational structure and uncertainty over future funding; however, my focus will be on ensuring that this does not impact the excellent, collaborative work that takes place between NERC scientists and technology staff and our hosting partners.”
NOC Science and Technology Director, Professor Andrew Willmott said. “I am very pleased that Ian is joining the Directorate Team and I look forward to working with him in developing the science and technology agenda of the new Centre, integrating its research and engaging widely with our partners and the academic community.”
NOC’s Executive Director, Professor Ed Hill, said: “This is an excellent appointment for the National Oceanography Centre. Ian joined NOCS two years ago as a research group co-chair andquickly won the respect of colleagues across the centre for both his science and leadership abilities. I look forward to working closely with Ian as we implement a new structure for NOC and build on an already strong reputation.”
Ian joined the National Oceanography Centre, Southampton in 2008 as a co-chair in the centre’s Geology and Geophysics Research Group. Ian’s previous role was at New Zealand’s National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research (NIWA) where he originally led a marine geology team and, later, a large marine science grouping.
He gained his PhD in palaeomagnetism from Victoria University in Wellington, NZ and his subsequent research has investigated submarine volcanism along the Tonga - Kermadec arc.
Ian describes himself as an occasional runner and an “avid golfer who always has hope of being better”.
He takes up his new post on 1st August 2010.
