AXA has announced that it has renewed the mandate of the AXA Research Fund for a further five years, appointing Professor Debra Roberts President of the Scientific Board of the AXA Research Fund.
Since its launch in 2007, the AXA Research Fund, one of the largest scientific philanthropy initiatives in the private sector, has forged partnerships with more than 334 academic institutions in 38 countries and has supported 708 projects led by researchers of 60 nationalities.
AXA suggests that the new mandate will reinforce the transdisciplinary exploration of emerging risks, consolidating the links between academic, industry, and public sector experts around major societal issues.
Thomas Buberl, CEO of AXA, commented, “We are very pleased to renew the mandate of the AXA Research Fund, one of our largest philanthropic commitments.
“By funding projects related to the preservation of our planet, the improvement of health and the stability of our economies and societies, we are fully implementing our purpose: Act for human progress by protecting what matters.”
The firm also announced the appointment of Professor Debra Roberts as President of the Scientific Board of the AXA Research Fund, succeeding Professor Thomas Kirkwood.
Prof. Roberts currently leads the Sustainable and Resilient City Initiatives function in eThekwini Municipality (Durban, South Africa). In 2015, she was elected as Co-Chair of Working Group II (Impacts, Adaptation and Vulnerability) of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change for the sixth assessment cycle (2015-2023).
Marie Bogataj, Head of AXA Research Fund and Group Foresight, said, “I would like to warmly thank Prof. Kirkwood for his major contribution to the work of the Scientific Board over the past 10 years.
“I am delighted to welcome Prof. Roberts as our new President. Her extensive experience in connecting science with decision-making and public action in the field of climate change will be particularly useful in guiding the Fund during this new mandate.”
