WorldPop has appointed a strategic Advisory Board to further enhance the use of high-resolution spatial demographic data in supporting global health and sustainable development. This new body provides highly distinguished expert oversight to ensure the group’s research continues to deliver measurable real-world impact across low- and middle-income countries.
Our research programme, based at the University of Southampton, integrates satellite imagery, geospatial mapping, de-identified mobile phone data, surveys and other sources to fill critical population data gaps. Over the past decade, these datasets have underpinned essential activities for national governments and UN agencies. The newly constituted board will ensure WorldPop remains relevant and sustainable as it continues to address UN Sustainable Development Goals.
Strategic oversight for global challenges
The Advisory Board’s primary remit is to provide strategic guidance to WorldPop’s leadership team. It focuses on three core pillars: delivering benefits to the scientific research community, providing data assets that achieve real-world impact, and maintaining accountability to funders and implementation partners.
The board also supports fundraising through strategic outreach and reviews research activities to ensure they remain focused on solving global challenges. While the board functions in an informal and advisory capacity, the WorldPop leadership team is committed to reviewing and responding to all recommendations.
Professor Andy Tatem, Director of WorldPop at the University of Southampton, comments: “The establishment of this board marks a significant milestone. Their collective expertise ensures our high-quality applied research continues to count everyone, everywhere in global decision-making”.
A world-class leadership team
The board consists of prominent leaders from the fields of artificial intelligence, demography, and international policy. Members include:
- Dame Wendy Hall, DBE, FRS, FREng is Regius Professor of Computer Science and Director of the Web Science Institute at the University of Southampton. Dame Wendy is a global advisor on AI and a member of the UN high-level advisory body on artificial intelligence.
- Dr Priscilla Idele, Chief of the Data, Population and Development Branch at UNFPA. Dr Idele leads global efforts to strengthen population data systems and holds a PhD from the University of Southampton.
- Dr Vanessa Lawrence CB DL, former Director General of Ordnance Survey. Dr Lawrence is a senior advisor to overseas governments on geospatial applications and a Non-Executive Director of UK Government Investments.
- Professor Tom Moultrie, Professor of Demography at the University of Cape Town. Moultrie specialises in strengthening demographic analysis capacity in low- and middle-income countries.
- Jenna Slotin, Interim CEO of the Global Partnership for Sustainable Development Data. Ms Slotin leads coalitions that put data at the centre of trust and equity worldwide.
- Dr Frejus Thoto, Founder and Executive Director of the African Centre for Equitable Development. Dr Thoto supports African policymakers in translating research into applied policies.
