South-East European Research Centre (SEERC)

Professor Burnett is an eminent atomic physicist who has also played an important role in developing science policy in the United Kingdom. He is a member of the Council of Science and Technology reporting to the Prime Minister and has offered independent advice on issues such as postgraduate education. He was also recently appointed to the Infrastructure Council which will advise the Treasury on major investments totalling up to £200 billion over the next five years, including on energy, transport, waste, science, water and telecoms. As Vice-Chancellor of the University of Sheffield since 2007, Professor Burnett leads a University which combines world-class scholarship with the highest quality teaching. He has also focused attention on the impact of a civic university on wider society, and particularly its city and region. In 2011 the University of Sheffield was named the Times Higher Education University of the Year.