Professor Paul Monks CB, FRMetS, FRSC, FInstP
Source: gov.uk (2025-10-22)

Professor Paul Monks CB was the Chief Scientific Adviser ( CSA ) for the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero ( DESNZ ) from February 2023 to October 2025. Paul delivered independent and impartial science and engineering advice to ministers and policymakers across the DESNZ policy and delivery portfolio and Clean Energy Superpower Mission. He was also responsible for ensuring the department had robust systems in place to access science and engineering expertise, including as co-chair of the DESNZ Science and Technology Advisory Council ( STAC ) and as departmental Head of the Government Science and Engineering Profession.  Prior to DESNZ , Paul was CSA for the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy ( BEIS ) from 2020 to 2023. Before joining BEIS , he was Pro-Vice Chancellor and Head of the College of Science and Engineering at the University of Leicester, where he remains a Professor in Atmospheric Chemistry and Earth Observation Science.  Paul was previously Chair of the Defra Air Quality Expert Group ( AQEG ) and Deputy Chair of the Defra Science Advisory Council, alongside roles in the UKRI-NERC advice structures. He has worked internationally as the European representative on the Environmental Pollution and Atmospheric Chemistry Scientific Steering Committee ( EPAC SSC ) of the World Meteorological Organisation and on the International Commission on Atmospheric Chemistry and Global Pollution ( ICACGP ).  As founding director of G-STEP (a university innovation initiative), he developed a business facing organisation with the aim of innovating using satellite-based earth observation ( EO ) data to enhance the competitiveness of industry, particularly focused on small and medium sized businesses ( SMEs ).  Professor Paul Monks was awarded the Companion of the Order of the Bath ( CB ) in the King’s New Year Honours 2025 for Services to Science in Government.

Professor Paul Monks CB was the Chief Scientific Adviser (CSA) for the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ) from February 2023 to October 2025.

Paul delivered independent and impartial science and engineering advice to ministers and policymakers across the DESNZ policy and delivery portfolio and Clean Energy Superpower Mission. He was also responsible for ensuring the department had robust systems in place to access science and engineering expertise, including as co-chair of the DESNZ Science and Technology Advisory Council (STAC) (https://www.gov.uk/government/groups/desnz-science-and-technology-advisory-council) and as departmental Head of the Government Science and Engineering Profession.

Prior to DESNZ, Paul was CSA for the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) from 2020 to 2023. Before joining BEIS, he was Pro-Vice Chancellor and Head of the College of Science and Engineering at the University of Leicester, where he remains a Professor in Atmospheric Chemistry and Earth Observation Science.

Paul was previously Chair of the Defra Air Quality Expert Group (AQEG) and Deputy Chair of the Defra Science Advisory Council, alongside roles in the UKRI-NERC advice structures. He has worked internationally as the European representative on the Environmental Pollution and Atmospheric Chemistry Scientific Steering Committee (EPAC SSC) of the World Meteorological Organisation and on the International Commission on Atmospheric Chemistry and Global Pollution (ICACGP).

As founding director of G-STEP (a university innovation initiative), he developed a business facing organisation with the aim of innovating using satellite-based earth observation (EO) data to enhance the competitiveness of industry, particularly focused on small and medium sized businesses (SMEs).

Professor Paul Monks was awarded the Companion of the Order of the Bath (CB) in the King’s New Year Honours 2025 for Services to Science in Government.