Pandemic’s Chief Science Advisor is honoured by the University of Leicester

A scientist who played a pivotal role in shaping science policy during the pandemic has been honoured by the University of Leicester.

Lord Patrick Vallance was awarded an Honorary Doctorate of Science during a graduation ceremony held at De Montfort Hall, in Leicester, today (Friday 17 January).

A British physician, scientist and public servant, Lord Vallance held the position of Government Chief Scientific Adviser from 2018 to 2023.

Lord Vallance gained public prominence during the COVID-19 pandemic, as Chief Scientific Advisor, as he helped to shape science policy and appeared in public briefings alongside government leaders. His contributions had a profound impact on the development, communication and execution of the UK’s national response to the pandemic, and his tenure highlighted the importance of evidence-based decision-making in public health.

President and Vice-Chancellor of the University of Leicester, Professor Nishan Canagarajah, said: “It was a pleasure for the University of Leicester to honour Lord Vallance with this honorary title, in front of our Life Sciences graduates.

“He is somebody who has risen to the very top of his profession, and is held in high esteem both in the UK and internationally, for his expertise and contributions to science.

“Already a friend of the University, we are proud to formally welcome Lord Vallance into the Leicester family with this honorary award.”

Born in Essex and raised in Cornwall, Lord Vallance studied Medicine at St George’s, University of London. He then became a Professor of Medicine and led the Division of Medicine at UCL. He has many years’ experience of basic science and clinical research, and was a consultant physician in the NHS. His research spanned from work on medicinal chemistry and structural biology, through to cellular work, studies in humans and use of large electronic health record databases.

Lord Vallance took a step into industry in 2006, joining pharmaceutical giant GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) as Head of Drug Discovery. He later became President of Research and Development. Under his leadership, many new medicines were approved for use worldwide, for diseases ranging from cancer and rare diseases in children, to asthma and HIV.

His appointment as Government Chief Scientific Adviser took place in 2018, and was followed in July 2024 with his appointment as Minister of State for Science, Research and Innovation in the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology. Lord Vallance was also created a Life Peer, taking the title of Baron Vallance of Balham, and now sits in the House of Lords, championing innovation and research.

Throughout his career, Lord Vallance has been widely recognised for his contributions, including being elected to the Academy of Medical Sciences and the Royal Society. He was knighted in 2019 and promoted to Knight Commander of the Order of the Bath in 2022 for his services to science in government.

Lord Vallance delivered a lecture at the University of Leicester in November 2022 on the importance of scientific advice in national policymaking.