Directors and senior staff

Directors

Anthony Tomei - Director 

Anthony joined the Foundation in 1977, having previously worked as a Physics teacher in schools in London and in Malaysia (on Voluntary Service Overseas).

In 1981 Anthony was appointed Assistant Director, with responsibility for the Foundation's programmes in Education and Science. During this time he developed a number of major initiatives, including the Foundation's science programmes; its work in curriculum development; and its support for Integrated Education in Northern Ireland.

He was appointed Director in 1995. Since then he has maintained his involvement with science and mathematics education, serving on a number of national committees as well as helping develop the Foundation’s own programmes. He is active in the strategic management of the Foundation’s investment portfolio, where he has a particular interest in how people who are inexpert (be they trustees or staff) can best fulfil their responsibilities in the face of highly technical subject matter.

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Sharon Witherspoon MBE - Deputy Director 

Sharon Witherspoon joined the Foundation in 1996 and was appointed Deputy Director in 2000. She leads the Foundation’s research in social science and social policy, and has contributed to the development of the Children and Families Programme and the Law in Society Programme, as well as a range of other research projects including the finances of old age and taxation. 

Before she joined the Foundation, she was a senior researcher at the Policy Studies Institute and the National Centre for Social Research (formerly Social and Community Planning Research). There she was responsible for the design and statistical analysis of various large scale representative studies of public behaviour, family life and the regulation of professions, as well as being one of the original researchers for the British Social Attitudes Survey series. 

Sharon is a member of the Strategic Forum for the Social Sciences, housed at the British Academy, and various other strategic bodies supporting rigorous social science research. She was awarded an honorary MBE for services to social science in 2008 and the British Academy President's Medal in 2011.

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Josh Hillman - Director of Education

Josh Hillman joined the Foundation in 2008 and is responsible for its work in education.

Formerly Head of Education Policy at the BBC, Josh was responsible for the development of education policy for the BBC’s output across media for children and adults, including partnerships with government, other public sector bodies, and research organisations.

Josh was previously Senior Research Fellow at the Institute for Public Policy Research and a research officer for the National Commission on Education. 

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James Brooke Turner - Finance Director

James Brooke Turner is Finance Director of the Nuffield Foundation. He is responsible for the management of the Foundation’s finances and its investment portfolio. He is treasurer of the Association of Charitable Foundations.

Since joining the Foundation in 2001 James has been involved in exploring some of the distinctive features of investing charitable funds. He worked previously for the Church Commissioners, the Church Urban Fund and as Director of Finance and Resources at the Muscular Dystrophy Campaign. He has been a founder assessor for the National Lottery and a freelance charity consultant. James studied the History of European Art at the Courtauld Institute and more recently Medieval Economics as an MA. He holds professional qualifications in tax and as a Company Secretary.

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Angela Hall - Director, Science and Mathematics Education

Angela Hall is Director of Science and Mathematics Education at the Nuffield Foundation.

Angela was previously a science and biology teacher and was the first Director of Science Learning Centre London. She has carried out research in educational design in the context of ICT activities.

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Hugh Whittall - Director, Nuffield Council on Bioethics

Hugh Whittall is Director of the Nuffield Council on Bioethics. He oversees all areas of the Council’s work and contributes to its long-term strategy.

Before taking the role of Director in February 2007, he held senior positions at the Department of Health, the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority, and the European Commission.

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Senior staff

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Sarah Botting - Manager, Nuffield Science Bursaries

Sarah administrates Nuffield Science Bursaries for Schools and Colleges, and Undergraduate Bursaries.

Telephone: 020 7681 9626
Email: Sarah Botting

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Vicki Hughes - Programme Head, Oliver Bird Rheumatism Programme

Dr Vicki Hughes manages the Oliver Bird Rheumatism Programme, which aims to build research capacity in rheumatic disease by developing a cohort of outstanding young research scientists. 

Email: Vicki Hughes

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Vinay Kathotia, Project Head, Mathematics

Vinay's role encompasses curriculum projects and research and development. His focus is on post-16 mathematics, particularly courses which support mathematics requirements in other subjects. He is also working on mathematics at Key Stages 3 and 4.

Telephone: 020 7681 9595
Email: Vinay Kathotia

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Sarah Lock - Programme Head, Africa Programme

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Sharmila Metcalf - Programme Head, Nuffield Science Bursaries

Sharmila oversees the Nuffield Undergraduate Bursaries and the national delivery and expansion of the Nuffield Science Bursaries for Schools and Colleges, which has a particular focus on widening participation  to disadvantaged students.

Telephone: 020 7681 9591
Email: Sharmila Metcalf

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Emma Palmer - Project Head, Science

Emma is Co-Director of Twenty First Century Science, and works on our other science projects including Practical Biology Practical Chemistry and Practical Physics.

Telephone: 020 7681 9587
Email: Emma Palmer

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Jean Scrase - Partnership Lead and CPD Coordinator

Jean works closely with partners to disseminate information and resources from Nuffield curriculum projects; support the Nuffield bursary scheme and make explicit links between our research and classroom practice. 

Telephone: 0207 636 4519
Email: Jean Scrase