We were saddened to hear of the death of Sir Roland Jackson who led the Science Museum’s education team for a decade from 1993, before becoming Chief Executive of the British Science Association.
Roland was a passionate advocate for the value of engaging everyone in science. Having studied biochemistry at the University of Oxford he began his career as a science teacher and then education advisor for the chemicals firm ICI before he joined the Science Museum as Head of Learning in 1993, where he encouraged a research-informed approach to public engagement. He was an early adopter of using the internet in a museum setting, increasing the connection between activities in the museum and schools.
After a decade at the Science Museum, including a short period in a wider leadership role, he became Chief Executive of the British Science Association, overseeing its evolution from the British Association for the Advancement of Science, a learned society founded in the 19th century. Roland also played a leadership role at Sciencewise, ensuring the voices of ordinary citizens are considered in policy-making processes and consideration of scientific research.
In 2009 he was asked by Government to chair an expert group on the topic of ‘Science for All’, which concluded that research organisations needed to do more to value, recognise and support public engagement with science. The result was a notable growth in public engagement strategies across the higher education sector.
Roland had a period as a Trustee of the Royal Institution and was a visiting Fellow there from 2013 until his death. His research interests included exploring the work of Irish scientist John Tyndall (1820-1893), writing a biography that was published in 2018. Tyndall worked as a surveyor, maths teacher and scientist, and was fascinated by glaciers and ice ages. Tyndall was the first to show (in the basement of the Royal Institution) that what we now called greenhouse gases can trap heat in the atmosphere.
Roland was passionate about mountains (like Tyndall) and died suddenly on 10 January 2026 while climbing Hellvelyn. He will be fondly remembered by colleagues who worked with him and we offer our condolences to his family and friends.