Dr Katherine (Katy) Hill is the Lead Scientist for Ocean Research Infrastructure.
Katy is experienced in science management and science diplomacy with a strong background in marine and climate science and the delivery of collaborative projects and programmes at the National, Regional and International/Intergovernmental levels. As Lead Scientist for Ocean Research Infrastructure, Katy provides scientific leadership and oversight of planning and investment in ocean research infrastructure (observation, data and prediction systems), including engagement with national and international partners and programmes. Specific roles include:
- Lead Scientist, UK Global Ocean Observing: Engage with Marine Science Community, Funders and Govt and international partners (e.g. through G7, GOOS) to strengthen coordination and boost UK investment and impact in ocean observing, with support from UK Government. Katy is the UK Coordinator for the G7 Future of the Seas and Oceans Initiative (G7 FSOI) and provides a strategic overview to the G7 FSOI Work Programme, in close coordination with the EU Office. Further information can be found at www.g7fsoi.org.
- Lead Scientist, NERC Future Marine Research Infrastructure: A member of the FMRI Executive Team, the Lead Scientist is responsible for providing the programme with scientific leadership. They act as the focal point for both internal and external representation of the science, advising the SRO and working closely with the independent Science Advisory Group. www.fmri.ac.uk
- International representation: Katy also sits on a number of boards and committees including as Vice Chair of the World Meteorological Organisation Advisory Group on Ocean, and as a member of the UN Ocean Decade Data Coordination Group. Katy has also been an invited expert on review panels including for the review of the European Global Ocean Observing System (EuroGOOS), the NOAA Global Ocean Monitoring and Observing Programme and sat on the GOOS Governance Task Team .
Katy has studied in in the UK, Canada and Australia, culminating in a Ph.D. in Quantitative Marine Sciences. She has spent much of her career dedicated to the development and implementation of sustained observing systems with over 15 years working at national, regional, international levels. Prior to this role, Katy worked for the Global Climate Observing System and the Global Ocean Observing System based at the World Meteorological Organisation in Geneva, Switzerland, establishing projects such as the Tropical Pacific Observing System (TPOS 2020) project. Katy previously worked for Australia’s Integrated Marine Observing System in its formative years and oversaw the science planning and scientific delivery of the observing system. Prior to this, she worked for the International CLIVAR Project Office in the UK. Katy holds UK and Australian citizenship.
