Dr Lucy Mason

Biography

Dr Mason was appointed Head of the Defence and Security Accelerator (Accelerator) on 21 March 2017.

As Head of the Accelerator, Lucy is responsible for building strong relationships between defence and security departments within the UK Government, industry, academia and other partners, to deliver innovative ideas for the security and prosperity of the UK.

Launched in December 2016, the Accelerator fast-tracks innovative, game-changing ideas by funding their development, matching suppliers with expert Innovation Partners, and boosting supplier access to defence and security.

Lucy joined Dstl from the Home Office where she led the science and technology, and private sector engagement, work-strands for the review of the Government’s counter-terrorism strategy.

Lucy has expertise in security and policing and her main interests are in technology and innovation, digital ethics and identity, social and behavioural science, and horizon scanning.

Since joining the civil service in 2009 Lucy has held roles in the Department of Business, Innovation and Skills, Government Office for Science, Cabinet Office, Department for Health, and the Home Office.

Lucy was Home Office lead on the Internet of Things (IoT) and a Board member for the PETRAS IoT Research Hub, and was formerly Deputy Head of Foresight in the Government Office for Science.

Prior to joining the civil service Lucy was Risk and Business Continuity Manager for Thames Valley Police and staff officer to the Chief Constable.

Lucy has a doctorate in Archaeological Science from Oxford University.