Dr. Smith joined the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development in June 2014 as head of the Global Science Forum Secretariat. His work with national members to define the overall strategy and priorities for the Forum, includes defining policy on research infrastructures, Open Science, research funding mechanisms, and science advisory processes.
Trained as a biochemist, and with a PhD in neuroscience from Newcastle University, UK, Dr. Smith was previously deputy executive director of the International Council for Science in Paris, a position he held for twelve years. During that time, he spearheaded strategic development in a number of major global science initiatives. Before moving to France, he spent six years at the UK Medical Research Council, where he headed up international cooperation