A GOV.UK case study profiles Dr Thanuja Galhena’s move from advanced materials research into the UK Civil Service after roles at the Cambridge Graphene Centre and in manufacturing. The profile sets out how technical expertise is being applied to investment and policy work.
After years in academia and industry, the decision to enter government was opportunistic rather than planned. The ability to influence outcomes at national scale-supporting growth and jobs-has since anchored her public service career, according to the government account.
Her brief covers three linked priorities: attracting foreign direct investment into the UK’s advanced materials sector, building out domestic supply chains, and shaping policy frameworks that enable firms to scale. This combines investor engagement with sector insight drawn from laboratories and production lines.
Adjusting to government required a shift in method. Problem statements widen from single research questions to whole‑economy considerations, with a premium on clarity for non‑specialists. The Civil Service Code’s requirements on impartiality, objectivity and serving the public interest set the parameters for advice.
The GOV.UK piece highlights the pace of work and the volume of stakeholders, from companies and universities to other departments and local partners. Acronyms and departmental processes are part of the learning curve, as is responding quickly to emerging issues while maintaining evidence‑based recommendations.
Transferable skills have been central: running research projects, managing collaborations, and translating complex science into practical choices for decision‑makers. Cross‑sector experience has supported flexibility when working to ministerial commissions, spending controls and delivery timetables.
For others considering the move, her message is pragmatic: roles at the junction of science, policy and strategy carry nationwide impact but demand a cultural shift. Candidates should be ready to communicate clearly, work across organisational boundaries and operate within formal codes and scrutiny.
Links with academia continue. As an OPEN Visiting Fellow in 2026, she plans to strengthen the flow of research evidence into policymaking-keeping policy teams current on emerging materials science while offering researchers a clearer view of government priorities.