Advisory Board
The WorldPop Advisory Board helps guide and support the team’s leadership to make sure their work stays true to our goal of making sure everyone is counted in the decisions that shape their lives.
The Board looks at WorldPop’s research and public engagement to help ensure it has real-world impact. It contributes to longer-term planning within the University of Southampton and supports fundraising by helping build strong external relationships. The Board also advises on attracting and retaining talented staff and helps ensure WorldPop remains responsible and transparent to its funders and partners.
While the Board does not make formal decisions, it plays an important role by offering independent expert advice and practical recommendations that the leadership team must carefully consider and respond to.
Dame Wendy Hall
Dame Wendy Hall, DBE, is Regius Professor of Computer Science and Director of the Web Science Institute at the University of Southampton. A Fellow of the Royal Society and Royal Academy of Engineering, she co-chaired the UK government’s AI Review. She serves on the United Nations' High-level Advisory Body on Artificial Intelligence and is Editor-in-Chief of Royal Society Open Science.
Dr Priscilla Idele
Dr Priscilla Idele is the Chief of the Data, Population and Development Branch at UNFPA. With 30+ years experience, she leads global efforts to strengthen population data systems and demographic intelligence to advance sustainable development. She has held senior leadership roles at UNICEF and the UN Secretary-General’s Office. She holds a PhD in Social Statistics from the University of Southampton.
Dr Vanessa Lawrence
Dr Vanessa Lawrence CB DL has 35+ years of geospatial and digital data experience. Formerly Director General of Ordnance Survey and founding co-chair of UN-GGIM, she advises governments through Location International. She holds board positions at UK Government Investments and the Alan Turing Institute and is an Adjunct Professor at the University of Southampton.
Professor Tom Moultrie
Tom Moultrie is Professor of Demography at the University of Cape Town, focusing on strengthening demographic analysis in low- and middle-income countries. He developed near-real-time mortality monitoring during COVID-19 and now investigates links between extreme climate events and mortality. He is a UCT Fellow and Member of the Academy of Sciences of South Africa.
Jenna Slotin
Jenna Slotin is the Interim CEO of the Global Partnership for Sustainable Development Data. With nearly two decades of experience across the UN and civil society, she advocates for data and technology as drivers of trust and equity. She has held leadership roles at the UN Foundation and the International Peace Institute. She serves on the board of Publish What You Fund and promotes inclusive data systems globally.
Dr Frejus Thoto
Dr Frejus Thoto is Founder and Executive Director of the African Center for Equitable Development (ACED), helping African policymakers translate development knowledge into applied policies. He is a Knowledge Management Expert at the World Bank and co-chairs a WHO Global Coalition for Evidence working group. He holds a PhD in Agricultural Economics.
