Dr Joanna Dally

Dr Jo Dally joined BP in May 2018, where she lead the Advanced Mobility Unit’s work to develop strategic partnerships with Cities around the world. Before this, she spent two years at the Royal Society as Head of Policy (Research). In this role, she led on policy issues ranging from Higher Education and Research funding and assessment, to the UK’s exit from the EU, the use of evidence in decision-making, and on understanding the UK research system and how it might evolve. She also established the Society’s first programme of work on research culture.

Before joining the Society Jo’s career had been primarily been in the Civil Service. Her last post was as Deputy Director for Horizon Scanning, Data Analytics and Emerging Technologies in the Government Office for Science. Prior to this, and as Head of Innovation, she led a review of the effectiveness of the different models of government support for innovation for economic growth, sponsored by the Sir Mark Walport, BIS and HM Treasury.

Jo’s earlier roles all had science, evidence and advice at their core. These included leading the Chemical, Biological, Radiological, and Nuclear Security Team in the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, as Private Secretary to the then Government’s Chief Scientific Adviser, Sir John Beddington, and as a Science Specialist to a House of Commons Select Committee. She was also a member of the cross-Government team that supported Lord Heseltine in his review of public policy and economic growth (2012).

Jo has a PhD in Experimental Psychology from the University of Cambridge where she was also a Post-doctoral Researcher.

Competing Interests Disclosure Joanna Dally August 2023