Prof. Katy Hill

Areas of expertise

• Marine, Weather and Climate Science
• Research Infrastructure
• Planning observation, data, prediction systems
• Collaborative programmes and partnerships
• Change management

Current activities

As Associate Director of Foundation Science, I oversee the Foundation Science part of Science and Technology, engaging in collaborative pioneering research to develop component models of the atmosphere and land, evaluated as part of the wider coupled earth-system, underpinned by research into processes and parameterisation, emerging data sciences, and Science IT activities. The primary outcome is the delivery of environmental global and regional coupled modelling frameworks underpinning prediction and projection systems for weather and climate applications as part of a UK National Capability.  I work closely with the ADs for Weather Science and Climate Science to deliver the Met Office Science programme.

Foundation Science is at the forefront of the 3 major transformations underway at the Met Office. Implementing the new Supercomputing, development of the Next Generation Modelling System and the integration of AI/ML approaches, which are now integrated into Foundation Science Core business.

Career background

Katy joined the Met Office in January 2025, bringing with her a strong background in Marine Science. She previously held a range of national and international responsibilities focused on strengthening our ocean research infrastructure through major collaborative programmes and partnerships. Most recently, she acted as Lead Scientist for the NERC Future Marine Research Infrastructure Programme. She also has significant government and intergovernmental experience, having acted as Expert Advisor to UK Government for the G7 Ocean action, and spent a number of years working for the World Meteorological Organisation on programmes co-sponsored with the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission. 

She has previously lived, studied and worked in Canada, Australia and Switzerland. Katy completed degree at the University of Southampton in Marine Sciences, a Masters' at the University of Victoria, Canada in Climate Dynamics, and a PhD at the University of Tasmania in 2009. 

External recognition

• Katy is an Honorary Professor at the University at Southampton for Knowledge Exchange and Enterprise in Ocean and Earth Sciences.
• Katy acts as Non-Exec Chair of the Marine Environmental Data and Information Network (MEDIN).