Research Policy Committee

The Research Policy Committee is responsible for developing strategies to deliver tangible policy impact, and contributing to policy statements - ensuring our members voices are heard by decision makers. The committee also organizes annual events in devolved nation parliaments and provides oversight and support for the Credibility in Neuroscience initiatives.

We're growing!

Following a vote at the 2025 Annual General Meeting, the structure and composition of our governing committees and groups are changing.

We'll soon be recruiting new people into various leadership positions - check back soon for more information.

Catherine Abbott

Research Policy Trustee, University of Edinburgh

Cathy did her BSc and PhD at Reading University and MRC Harwell. She then moved to London to do a postdoc and then lectureship at UCL. She is now Professor of Mammalian Molecular Genetics at the University of Edinburgh, working on a rare genetic form of epilepsy. She is a member of the Simons Initiative for the Developing Brain, serves on the Science Advisory Board of the Epilepsy Research Institute UK, was deputy chair of SP4 in REF2021, is on the Board of the NC3Rs and is a member of the BNA Council.

Julie Williams

President-Elect, University of Cardiff

Prof Julie Williams is a world leader in the genetics of Alzheimer’s disease and dementia and former Chief Scientific Advisor to the Welsh Government. She was the founding Centre Director for UK DRI at Cardiff from 2017-2024. With a background in Psychology, Julie obtained her PhD from the University of Wales Institute of Science and Technology. She joined University of Wales College of Medicine in 1991 as a Research Assistant, rising to Reader in Neuropsychological Genetics. As a co-lead in global initiatives her group has contributed to the discovery of over 40 susceptibility loci for AD. These findings implicate the role of immunity in disease development and specifically the contribution of microglia. Computational genetics of AD shows it to be a disease of multiple components which together, allow the prediction of those at high risk. Julie’s contribution to the field was recognised with a CBE in 2012. She is also an advocate for women in STEMM, commissioning a report that aimed to address the gender imbalance in science, published in 2016. Julie is also a member of the Council of the Academy of Medical Sciences and their champion in Wales.

Laura Ajram

Chief Executive, British Neuroscience Association

Laura studied Pharmacology at King’s College London (including a year in industry with GlaxoSmithKline) before completing her PhD at the Institute for Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience on the topic of ‘the Neuropharmacology of Autism Spectrum Disorders’.

In 2021 Laura was awarded the ‘ELRIG Early Career Impact Award’ for making a ‘significant impact in the drug discovery community’, and in 2022, a prestigious Fellowship to the British Pharmacological Society in recognition of her ongoing contribution to the sector.

Laura has worked across NHS, charity, academic and pharmaceutical research settings to develop strategic cross-sector partnerships and accelerate neuroscience drug discovery efforts in mental health, dementia and motor neurone disease.

Laura is currently Chief Executive of the British Neuroscience Association, where she is responsible for delivering the vision, mission and strategy of the BNA and it’s subsidiary company, BNA Events Ltd.