Katherine Hill

Associate Director, National Capability-Applications at the Met Office | Honorary Professor, University of Southampton | Chair, UK Marine Environmental Data and Information Network (MEDIN) |

Teignmouth, England, United Kingdom

About

I am an experienced science leader and expert adviser with an ambitious approach to programme development and a strong background in marine, weather and climate science. I am experienced in strategic planning and delivery for impact within complex institutional and collaborative environments at a national, regional and international level. I have over 20 years’ experience in scientific management roles with increasing complexity, specialising in observations and information delivery. I am skilled in understanding complex scientific and organisational environments, distilling the issues and identifying the challenges and opportunities to make tangible progress. I foster consensus, energising and enabling teams to deliver impact. I enjoy working in the people side of science and navigating politics of working with our environment. I bring a particular energy to collaborative activities and partnerships to advance efforts in how we measure, understand and predict our environment to better inform how we live with it.

Experience

  • Met Office (Exeter · On-site)
    • Associate Director, National Capability - Applications
      Apr 2026 - Present · 3 mos

    • Associate Director, Foundation Science
      Jan 2025 - Mar 2026 · 1 yr 3 mos

      I lead a team of 180 scientists who work on underpinning research and development. My portfolio includes atmospheric processes and parameterisation, dynamics research, global and regional model evaluation and development, data management, software and coding scientific support and supercomputing. As such, the team sit at the heart of the major transformations underway: the new Supercomputing, the Next Generation Modelling System and AI/ML. I am a member of the Science Directorate Senior Leadership Team, and the Met Office Extended Leadership Team

  • University of Southampton (4 yrs 4 mos)
    • Honorary Professor, Knowledge Exchange and Enterprise
      Aug 2025 - Present · 11 mos

    • Visiting Fellow
      Mar 2022 - Aug 2025 · 3 yrs 6 mos

      Guest lecturer, student mentor and building collaborations across ocean science, policy, governance and international relations.

  • Non Executive Chair at MEDIN Marine Environmental and Data Information Network
    Oct 2023 - Present · 2 yrs 9 mos

  • Vice Chair, Advisory Group - Ocean at World Meteorological Organization
    Mar 2023 - Feb 2025 · 2 yrs

  • National Oceanography Centre (Southampton, England, United Kingdom)
    • Lead Scientist and programme lead
      Apr 2023 - Dec 2024 · 1 yr 9 mos

      Providing scientific leadership and oversight of planning and investment in ocean research infrastructure (observation, data and prediction systems), including engagement with national and international partners and programmes. Specific roles include Lead Scientist, UK Global Ocean Observing: Engage with Marine Science Community, Funders and Govt and international partners (e.g. through G7, GOOS) to strengthen coordination and boost UK investment and impact in ocean observing, with support from UK Government. Lead Scientist, NERC Future Marine Research Infrastructure - A major NERC Programme to oversee the transition of the UK's Marine Research Infrastructure over the coming decade. www.fmri.ac.uk

    • UK G7 Marine Science Coordinator
      Jan 2020 - Mar 2023 · 3 yrs 3 mos

      As UK G7 Marine Science Coordinator, I am responsible for: Liaison across national organizations and networks in Marine Science and across UK Government departments to shape UK priorities for ocean observations and Marine Science. Core member of the UK G7 Presidency Ocean Action coordinating team, co-led the marine science component which successfully delivered the UK G7 Ocean Decade Navigation Plan. Co-Lead the G7 Future of the Seas and Oceans Initiative Coordination Centre. Represent UK and G7 interests in Marine Science and Ocean Observing nationally and internationally, including working through the Global Ocean Observing System and UN Ocean Decade to identify priorities and opportunities for coordinated action and investment through the G7. Raise political awareness and shape strategy for strengthening funding for sustained ocean observations and marine science capability.

    • Head of Marine Science Partnerships
      Sep 2020 - Sep 2021 · 1 yr 1 mo