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DEFRA's Chief Scientific Advisor to give an open lecture on Thursday 11 December

Professor Robert Watson, Chief Scientific Advisor for the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) will give an open lecture at the University of Kent on Thursday 11 December at 6.30pm.

Titled Food versus bio fuels and the sustainability of climate change, Professor Watson's lecture will take place in Keynes Lecture Theatre 1, Keynes College, on the University's Canterbury campus. The lecture is free and open to all. There is disabled access to Keynes College and the lecture theatre.

In addition to his role at DEFRA, Professor Watson is Director of the International Assessment of Agricultural Science and Technology for Development and Co-chair of the Board of Directors of the Millennium Ecosystems Assessment.

His previous positions include: Chief Scientist and Director for Environmentally and Socially Sustainable Development (ESSD) at the World Bank; Associate Director for Environment in the Executive Office of the President in the White House; and Chief Scientist for the Office of Mission to Planet Earth at NASA.

Professor Watson has also played an important role in the negotiation of global environmental conventions and the development of the Global Environment Facility.

His contributions to science have been recognised with many national and internationals awards, including the American Association for the Advancement of Sciences Award for Scientific Freedom and Responsibility, and the insignia of Honorary Companion of St Michael and St George.

Contact: mediaoffice@kent.ac.uk

Story published at 4:12pm 11 December 2008