Dr David Adams has been appointed as Cogent Director of Science and Higher Education (HE). Dr Adams' responsibilities include leading on Science and HE, including policy, as well as project management of a number of key programmes within Cogent's strategic Life Sciences Skills Action Plan.

Dr Adams has a long and established career in the biosciences, based largely in academia and with frequent interaction with industry. His most recent position was as the Director, UK Centre for Bioscience, Higher Education Academy; the Centre supported a large network of learning and teaching practitioners involved in HE bioscience throughout the UK.  Prior to this he held senior academic posts with the University of Leeds. 

He is a prolific contributor to both academic journals and books, as well as holding memberships of a variety of national academic committees. Dr Adams said, "with the launch of Cogent's Skills Action plan for Growth in UK Life Sciences this is a particularly exciting time to join the Sector Skills Council.  As Director of the UK Centre for Bioscience a major priority was promotion of key skills in the biosciences.  

"I now greatly welcome the opportunity to extend this work by collaborating with colleagues throughout the UK in ensuring students achieve their full potential as the well-equipped, communicative, critical and creative problem solvers sought by employers."

Cogent CEO Joanna Woolf said, "I'm delighted to welcome David to Cogent, his background and experience will bring a tremendous focus to the delivery of our strategic programmes in life sciences, working closely with key stakeholders in HE, professional bodies and employers across the sector. 

"Our over-riding objective is to ensure that the wealth-creating life science industries are promoted as an exciting and accessible career choice and have access to the right skills, delivered through employer-shaped learning provision, which is underpinned by national industry standards and industry placement opportunities."

Dr Adams has a PhD in Microbiology from theUniversity of Aberdeen. He has a particular interest in the promotion of creativity in bioscientists and recently edited the book Effective Learning in the Life Sciences: How Students Can Achieve Their Full Potential.  He also helped introduce enterprise to bioscience modules at University of Leeds and elsewhere, and co-edited the book Enterprise for Life Scientists.