Sarah Addezio to Lead UK Natural Science Collections Digitisation Programme

The Natural History Museum has named Sarah Addezio as the Programme Delivery Director for DiSSCo UK, a £155 million initiative spanning 10 years aimed at digitizing the natural science collections of the UK. Addezio's background includes managing intricate, multi-partner projects, which will be crucial for this extensive national endeavor. DiSSCo UK is spearheaded by the UKRI Arts and Humanities Research Council in collaboration with the Natural History Museum, alongside various partners throughout the UK, including hubs in Scotland, Wales, the West, and central England. The digitized specimens will aid in modeling species' reactions to climate change, tackling food security, preventing zoonotic diseases, and assessing the effects of deep sea mining, with artificial intelligence enhancing data analysis for research and innovation.