Dr. Jason Blackstock (University College London) UK

With a unique background spanning research physics, Silicon Valley technology development, public policy, and global governance, Dr Jason Blackstock is an internationally respected scholar, educator and policy adviser on the interface between science and public decision-making. Dr Blackstock joined University College London in 2013 to help establish our globally unique Department of Science, Technology, Engineering and Public Policy (UCL STEaPP).  As Head of this innovative new department, Dr Blackstock is leading the strategic development of STEaPP’s rapidly expanding research, education and policy engagement programmes, all aimed at delivering on STEaPP’s socially-oriented mission to explore, experiment with, and improve the mobilisation of scientific and engineering knowledge in support of better public decision-making around the World. Prior to joining UCL, Dr Blackstock taught and directed policy-engaged research at leading universities and think tanks, including Harvard, Oxford, the Centre for International Governance Innovation (Canada), and the International Institute for Applied Systems Analysis (Austria).  For the past seven years, Dr Blackstock's scholarly and policy work has focused on the complex interactions between the scientific, political and global governance dimensions of our planetary climate and energy challenges.  He has co-authored 10 patents and over 40 publications; given dozens of invited policy briefings and academic presentations across six continents; organised numerous international academic and policy conferences; and participated in or led five policy-oriented international science assessments.  In 2010 Dr Blackstock was elected an Associate Fellow of the World Academy of Art and Science. Dr Blackstock obtained his BA in English Literature (Queen’s, 2000) and his Masters and PhD in physics (Edinburgh, 2001; Alberta, 2005), followed by a Graduate Certificate in International Security (Stanford, 2006) and Master of Public Administration (Harvard, 2008).  From 2003 to 2007, Dr Blackstock worked as a Research Associate of Hewlett Packard Lab’s Quantum Science Research Group.  In addition to his UCL position, Dr Blackstock is an Adjunct Associate Professor of the School of Environment, Enterprise and Development (SEED) at the University of Waterloo. In 2010 Dr Blackstock was elected an Associate Fellow of the World Academy of Art and Science.