Humanists UK is delighted to announce the appointment of three new patrons: Dr Emma Byrne, Professor Ben Garrod, and Professor Richard Whatmore. They join a stable of over 200 Humanists UK patrons with notable careers in arts, literature, science, academia, politics, and community and civic activism.
Dr Emma Byrne is an author, broadcaster and scientist, who, when not not developing intelligent systems, writes for Forbes, the FT, and the Guardian. Her popular neuroscience books, Swearing is Good For You and How to Build a Human, have been published around the world to enthusiastic reviews. She frequently appears on Sky News and the BBC talking about neuroscience, the future of artificial intelligence, and swearing. Emma delivered Humanists UK’s 2025 Rosalind Franklin Lecture The amazing science of bad language and was awarded the Rosalind Franklin Lecture medal.
Professor Ben Garrod is Professor of Evolutionary Biology and Science Engagement at the University of East Anglia. A passionate advocate for the natural world, he is a familiar face on television and radio, having presented and co-presented numerous acclaimed science and wildlife documentaries, including the award-winning series Secrets of Bones, The Day the Dinosaurs Died alongside Professor Alice Roberts, and Attenborough and the Giant Dinosaur and Attenborough and the Mammoth Graveyard with Sir David Attenborough. He has also written a number of books for children and young adults, including The Chimpanzee & Me and his two eight-part, non-fiction series, Ultimate Dinosaurs and Extinct – the Story of Life on Earth.
Professor Richard Whatmore is an intellectual historian and historian of political thought. He is a Professor of Modern History at St Andrews and co-director of the St Andrews Institute of Intellectual History. His extensive published works include What is Intellectual History?, Terrorists, Anarchists and Republicans, The History of Political Thought: A Very Short Introduction, and his most recent book, The End of Enlightenment.
Speaking on the new appointments, Humanists UK Chief Executive Andrew Copson said:
‘We are thrilled to welcome Ben Garrod, Emma Byrne, and Richard Whatmore as patrons. Their diverse expertise and shared commitment to critical thinking, education, and human well being perfectly embody our work, and I look forward to working with them! They will undoubtedly help us to reach new audiences and strengthen our voice for a kinder and more rational world.’
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For further comment or information, media should contact Humanists UK Director of Public Affairs and Policy Richy Thompson at press@humanists.uk or phone 020 7324 3072 or 07534 248 596.
Humanists UK has over 200 patrons who support its work in various ways through their expertise and prominence in various fields. Existing patrons include significant figures from the spheres of science, philosophy, human rights activism, politics, the arts, and broadcasting. The President of Humanists UK is the geneticist, science writer, and broadcaster, Dr Adam Rutherford. He is supported by Vice Presidents Professor Alice Roberts, Shaparak Khorsandi, Laurie Taylor, Professor Jim Al-Khalili, Professor AC Grayling, and Polly Toynbee.
Humanists UK is the national charity working on behalf of non-religious people. Powered by over 140,000 members and supporters, we advance free thinking and promote humanism to create a tolerant society where rational thinking and kindness prevail. We provide ceremonies, pastoral care, education, and support services benefitting over a million people every year and our campaigns advance humanist thinking on ethical issues, human rights, and equal treatment for all.