‘Lots of people don’t want to do it’: Paul Nurse on his controversial second term as Royal Society president

The Guardian - World NewsCenter-LeftEN 5 min read 100% complete by Nicola Davis Science correspondentJanuary 11, 2026 at 12:00 PM

Read Original Article

AI Summary

long article 5 min

Paul Nurse, a Nobel Prize-winning geneticist, has controversially begun an unprecedented second term as president of the Royal Society, the UK's national academy of sciences, after previously holding the position from 2010-2015. The appointment has drawn criticism due to Nurse's age, gender, and the perception that the organization should have chosen a female president to break with its historical precedent. Nurse defends his reappointment, emphasizing the democratic voting process and the difficulty of finding qualified candidates willing to take on the demanding, unpaid role. He argues that his scientific background and experience are valuable assets for the position, which involves constant public engagement and challenges. Some fellows felt the appointment reflected poorly on the society's ability to find a new leader.

Key Entities & Roles

Key Player Opposition Context

Guardian 30% United States 40% British government 40% Rockefeller University 50% Francis Crick Institute 60% Royal Society ×390% Paul Nurse ×6100%

Keywords

paul nurse 100% royal society 100% presidency 90% second term 80% controversy 70% scientific leadership 60% gender representation 50% nobel prize 40% scientist 40%