Professor Southwood is a Senior Research Investigator at Imperial College London. He was the President of the Royal Astronomical Societyfrom 2012-2014, and earlier served as the Director of Science and Robotic Exploration at the European Space Agency (2001-2011). Throughout a distinguished career, his research interests have focussed on solar–terrestrial physics and planetary science, particularly planetary magnetospheres and led the team that built the magnetic field instrument for the Cassini mission to Saturn.  Professor Southwood is currently Chair of the Steering Committee for the UK Space Agency, which advises the agency on its strategic direction.