For Thought 2025

Science, innovation, and society:
Working together for long-term change

Tuesday 28 January 2025, The Royal Society
14:00 – 17:30, followed by a reception

For Thought 2025 will focus on science and innovation serving society and delivering positive change.

The UK is looking to science, innovation, and technology to transform the systems that underpin our lives – from energy, to healthcare and services.

But change cannot be driven solely from the top down. We will be examining what leaders in our boardrooms, our higher education institutions and in government can do to foster agile and responsible innovation that responds to peoples’ values and expectations.

Our speakers and discussions will explore what it looks like for businesses, policymakers, scientists, and innovators to work in partnership with society.

To register your interest in attending, please fill out this form (opens in new tab).

Contact us about the event via rsvp@forthought.uk

Samira Ahmed

Samira Ahmed is a British journalist, writer and broadcaster. Samira has presented Radio 4's PM, The World Tonight and Front Row. She has also fronted the Proms for BBC Four.
Samira Ahmed
An image of Tera Allas

Tera is a senior advisor, non-executive director, and thought leader, bringing together three decades of experience in strategy, corporate finance, economics, and public policy. She was awarded a CBE for contributions to economic policy in 2019.

Tera Allas
An image of Rhian-Mari Thomas

Dr Rhian-Mari Thomas OBE is Chief Executive of the Green Finance Institute, an independent organisation at the forefront of shaping how finance can be used to facilitate real economy transition. Rhian spent 20 years in investment banking and corporate finance and was the first person to be awarded an OBE for services to green banking.
Rhian-Mari Thomas
A headshot image of Ijeoma Uchegbu

Ijeoma Uchegbu FMedSci is President of Wolfson College, University of Cambridge, UCL’s Professor of Pharmaceutical Nanoscience, a fellow of the Academy of Medical Sciences, an honorary fellow of the Royal Society of Chemistry, a governor on the Wellcome board, a member of the Academy of Medical Sciences Council and Chief Scientific Officer of Nanomerics Ltd.
Ijeoma Uchegbu
An image of Patrick Vallance

Lord Vallance KCB FRS FMedSci FRCP HonFREng was appointed Minister of State (Minister for Science) on 5 July 2024. He was previously Government Chief Scientific Adviser from April 2018 to April 2023. He was also National Technology Adviser and Head of the Government Science and Engineering Profession.
Patrick Vallance
An image of Melanie Dawes

Dame Melanie Dawes joined Ofcom as an Executive Board Member and Chief Executive on 2 March 2020. Prior to joining Ofcom, Melanie was Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (2015-2020).
Melanie Dawes
An image of Stephen Fitzpatrick

Stephen Fitzpatrick is a British entrepreneur who believes that technology, ingenuity and focus can solve humanity’s greatest challenge - the climate crisis. For the past 15 years, Stephen’s businesses have been powering progress in the decarbonisation of two of the world’s most polluting sectors – energy and transport.
Stephen Fitzpatrick
An image of Virginia Acha

Dr. Virginia (Ginny) Acha is Associate Vice President – Global Lead, Global Regulatory Policy at MSD. She has worked in industry and academia throughout her career, combining interests in science policy research and innovation performance within and across organizations. She joined MSD in 2017 to lead regulatory policy efforts outside of the US for innovation that will lead to better treatment for patients globally.
Virginia (Ginny) Acha

Hilary Newiss

Co-Chair of For Thought and Chair of the British Science Association

Lord Patrick Vallance

Minister of State (Minister for Science)

Tera Allas CBE

​Senior advisor, non-executive director, and thought leader

Professor Sarah Harper CBE

​Clore Professor of Gerontology at the University of Oxford, a Fellow at University College, and Director of the Oxford Institute of Population Ageing

Madhumita Murgia

Artificial Intelligence Editor at the Financial Times

Lord David Willetts

Co-Chair of For Thought and President of the Resolution Foundation

Professor Dame Ijeoma Uchegbu

​President of Wolfson College, University of Cambridge

Stephen Fitzpatrick

​Founder, OVO Energy

Dr Virginia Acha

​Associate Vice President – Global Lead, Global Regulatory Policy at MSD

Dr Rhian-Mari Thomas OBE

​Chief Executive of the Green Finance Institute

Dame Melanie Dawes

Executive Board Member and Chief Executive of Ofcom

Professor Kevin Fenton CBE

President of the British Science Association

Headline Sponsor

MSD had no input into the meeting agenda, choice of speakers or arrangements of this event.