Sophia joined the NIHR in 2023 as the organization’s first Head of Climate, Health, and Sustainability. Leading this work across the entire NIHR, Sophia holds overall responsibility for embedding environmental considerations throughout the research portfolio and ensuring the organisation successfully reduces its environmental impact.

A medical doctor by training, Sophia previously worked clinically as an anaesthetist. Her transition from frontline medicine to national leadership was fuelled by a lifelong passion for the environment and a dedicated focus on promoting low-carbon, equitable health and care systems.

Since joining the NIHR, Sophia has established the organization’s first public commitments to climate, health, and sustainability. In this session, she will outline the progress made to date and share future plans for building more sustainable health and research systems.