Fiona Godlee appointed new Sciana ambassador

Former editor-in-chief of British Medical Journal to play key role advising Sciana Members on how to communicate their challenge

Medical doctor, writer and campaigner Fiona Godlee has agreed to become the Sciana Network's newest ambassador. 

The former editor-in-chief of the British Medical Journal is currently attending her first meeting and will meet Cohorts 3 and 4 by the end of the week. 

Fiona joins an ambassadorial team that includes Sir David Behan, Bettina Borisch, Edelgard Bulmahn, Heyo Kroemer, and Thomas Zeltner. 

Commenting on her new role, she said, "I am delighted to take on this important role. More than ever, at this time of multiple global health challenges, the world needs skilled and enlightened health leaders. The Sciana Network offers a unique opportunity for senior leaders to spend time away from their busy lives to reflect on current challenges, work with each other, and learn new skills and approaches.” 

Mary Helen Pombo, the Sciana Network's programme director, said, “We are honored to welcome Fiona. She is joining an extraordinary group of programme ambassadors. They all bring a tremendous track record of health leadership over their lifetime and offer a critically important dimension to our program through their critical insights and mentorship. 

“As Sciana Members face growing challenges with misinformation in health, Fiona's arrival to the network is undoubtedly timely given her bold efforts and achievements in tackling the poor use of science in policy and practice."
 
Ilona Kickbusch, the Sciana Network's chair, said, "We’re delighted to welcome Fiona to Sciana. Her experience and expertise will further enrich our ambassadorial team and benefit our members. It’s wonderful she can join us in Salzburg this week and meet many of our members in person. We have a productive week ahead of us, and we look forward to hearing Fiona’s insights as part of that.”

Fiona was editor-in-chief at the British Medical Journal from 2005 to 2021 and editorial director of its parent company BMJ. Fiona was described as a “crusading editor” who led the journal through a period of substantial growth and change, extending its reach, impact, and influence internationally through its unique combination of medical science and campaigning journalism.

She has written, researched, and lectured on a broad range of subjects, including the impact of environmental degradation on health, drug policy reform, academic peer review, open access publishing, and the need for transparency, integrity, and independence in medical research, education, and practice. 

Before, Fiona was the founding director of BMJ Knowledge, founding editorial director for medicine of BioMedCentral, and co-editor of Peer Review in Health Sciences. In addition, she was a Harkness Fellow at Harvard Medical School from 1994 to 1995. In addition, she is a Bye Fellow of King's College Cambridge and a Fellow of the Royal College of Physicians.  

She is currently a trustee of the Eden Project and chair of Eden's Board Affairs Committee. She helped establish and is an ambassador for the UK Health Alliance on Climate Change and is chair of the Youth Environmental Service.  

Fiona lives in Cambridge, UK, with her husband and two children.