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Draft:John Bell

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John Bell
“Healthy Planet” Director John Bell at his office, 2023
“Healthy Planet” Director
Incumbent
Assumed office
June 2019

Member of the Management Board of the European Environment Agency (EEA)
Assumed office
2018

Vice-Chair of the Bio-based Industries Joint Undertaking (BBI JU)
In office
2020 - 2021

Chair of the Circular Bio-based Europe (CBE JU)
In office
2022 - 2023

Vice-Chair of the Circular Bio-based Europe (CBE JU)
Assumed office
2024

Adjunct full professor University College Dublin (UCD)
Assumed office
2024
Director Bioeconomy
In office
January 2014 – June 2019
Chief of Staff to the Irish Commissioner Maire Geoghegan Quinn for EU Research and Innovation
In office
February 2010 – January 2014
Preceded byMartin Power to the Commissioner Charlie McCreevy
Succeeded byPeter Power to the Commissioner Phil Hogan
Chief of Staff to the Irish Chief of Staff of the Bulgarian Commissioner Meglena Kuneva for Consumer Policy
In office
2007–2010
Succeeded byMariana Hristova to the Commissionner Kristalina Georgieva
Head of Unit of the Strategy Unit at Directorate-General Health Food Consumer Affair
In office
December 2004 – January 2007
Member of Cabinet of the Irish Commissioner David Byrne for Food Safety Health Consumer Affairs
In office
October 1999 – October 2004
Personal details
Born26 January 1963
Dublin, Ireland
SpouseJacqueline Tordoir (m. 1991)
Children3
Alma mater• University College Dublin
• St John’s College - Oxford University
• Honorary Doctorate Plovdiv Agricultural University
Occupation• Director EU Research & Innovation “Healthy Planet”
• International Bioeconomy Strategist
• Global Research leader Climate Oceans Environment Water Food
• Adjunct Full Professor UCD SPIRE School of Politics and International Relations and EU

Dr John Bell is the “Healthy Planet” Director in Directorate-General for Research & Innovation (DG RTD), leading the European Green Deal research and innovation transitions on: Bioeconomy, Climate Change, Oceans and Seas, Arctic, Water, Food Systems, Environment, Biodiversity, Earth observation, Circular Economy and Bio-based systems.

Bell has led the development of European and international Bioeconomy Policymaking..[1] and its whole-of-government delivery. He has developed and Chaired the European Union’s first multibillion euro public and private partnership for Biobased Industries[2] first-of a-kind innovation.

He has driven the creation of the world’s first Ocean scale research and innovation alliance[3] through his co-development and Chairing of the All-Atlantic Ocean Research and Innovation Alliance[4] involving Argentina, Brazil, Canada, Cape Verde, European Union, Morocco, South-Africa and United States based on the Galway Declaration[5], Belem Statement[6] and the Washington Declaration[7].

He has been a leading strategic adviser to the European Commission as Chief of staff to two European Commissioners.

As chief of cabinet to Irelands first woman Commissioner, Maire Geoghegan Quinn the European Commissioner for Research and Innovation, he led the development of the EUs “Horizon” European Research and Innovation Framework programme.

With a background in EU enlargement, he was chief of cabinet to the first Bulgarian European Commissioner Meglena Kuneva, for Consumer Policy.

In a number of EU roles, he has led the political development of European public health policy notably in Tobacco control legislation and pandemic preparedness as a member of Commissioner David Byrnes cabinet. As the European Commission’s Poland Country Desk, he was responsible for leading the drafting of the EC’s Opinion on Poland’s Membership of the European Union[8].

He recently mentioned at the seminar “What is Europe For? From Green Deal to Green Lash”, organised by Dublin European Institute (DEI) in March 2024, “the purpose of the EU to 2050 is make peace with nature” and “planetary transition by design needs public transition by consent. We need a planetary science mission movement”. Other of his mottos is “science is natures diplomacy”, included in his keynote speech “Restoring trust in transition; the European Green Deal Missions” delivered at the 2nd Frontiers Planet Prize Awards Ceremony in June 2024.

Family and early life

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John Bell was born and raised in Portobello, Dublin. He was educated at Synge Street Christian Brothers School. After school, he was a Dominican Friar (Order of Preachers) at the Priory of St Mary’s Tallaght Dublin until 1984.

Education and professional career

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As undergraduate he was educated at University College Dublin, in Philosophy and English where he was President of the Philosophy Society UCD[9]. As a graduate he was awarded the first Anglo Irish Banks scholarship specialising in Irish studies (MA). As a Foreign Commonwealth Office Scholar at St John’s College - Oxford University, where he was President of the Middle Common Room, he completed his Doctorate (D. Phil.) on “Compelling Identities: Nation and Lyric Form in Seamus Heaney” (1993)[10]. His research on national identity formation at University College Dublin in the Anglo-Irish literature of Brian O’Nolan, his pen name being “Flann O’Brien” (“The Comic Vision of Brian O’Nolan”, 1988), ignited a lifelong commitment to peaceful inclusive evidence-based transitions.

In 1988, he was Social Director of the first James Joyce Summer School[11] at Newman House UCD and the Co-Founder of the Millenium Dublin Literary Pub Crawl[12]. In London, he worked at Newman Books[13], as News Editor for a retail investment Boardroom Journal. He married Jacqueline Tordoir (Rotterdam, 16th April 1964) in Rotterdam on 3rd August 1991. As a laureate de concours he entered the European Commission’s External Trade Department on 15th July1993 as an official.

European Commission

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1993-1999 First job

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In 1993, John Bell arrived at the European Commission as a Project Manager for the Directorate-General “Trade Phare Administrator Public Administration Reform”. Here, he supported different projects such as: Poland and Hungary: Assistance for Restructuring their Economies (PHARE), Humanitarian Aid Ex-Yugoslavia, and Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM) and Albania.

In 1995, he moved within the same Directorate to the Poland Country Desk “External Relations” Unit. As Poland desk he was responsible for leading the precession relations with Poland, between other initiatives.

1999-2004 Member of Cabinet of the Irish Commissioner David Byrne for Food Safety Health Consumer Affairs

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John Bell with the Commissioner David Byrn, 2004

The next step in his career was in “Food Safety Health Consumer Affairs”[14] department in 1999. For five years, his strategic and policy advice duties focused on: Food Safety & Enlargement[15], Public Health[16], Pandemic Preparedness establishing ECDC[17], Health Security Committee[18], SARS[19], Bioterrorism[20], Tobacco Control legislation & FCTC Treaty[21], Anti-Microbial Resistance[22], Global Health Aids/TB/Malaria[23], Health services Health systems, Pharmaceutical Innovation[24], Patient Safety[25], ADR[26], EU Budget HR Reforms, Regional and Relex Development Policy.

By the end of 2004, Bell became Head of Unit of the Strategy Unit at Directorate-General Health Food Consumer Affairs, reporting to the Director-General. The following two years, he was leading the Strategic Policy unit, dealing with regulatory impact assessment, stakeholder participation innovation, food nutrition monitoring and 2020 Foresight.

2007-2010 Chief of Staff of the Bulgarian Commissioner Meglena Kuneva for Consumer Policy

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John Bell with the Commissioner Meglena Kuneva, 2008

The next stage on his career (2007) was being responsible for Consumer Policy[27]. He developed a strategic leadership on the design, regulation and enforcement of the EU Consumer Rights[28]. His work was also related to Global Product Safety[29].

2010-2014 Chief of Staff to the Irish Commissioner Maire Geoghegan Quinn for EU Research and Innovation

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John Bell with the Commissioner Maire Geoghegan Quinn, 2012

In the beginning of 2010, he was Head of Cabinet responsible for Research and Innovation policy and science policy including Joint Research Centre[30]. He co-led the modernisation of the European Research Policy[31] and the first EU Innovation Policy. This resulted in the development of EU Horizon 2020[32] with EU budget of EUR 80 billion EU Research and Innovation Framework Programme[33].

2014-2019 Director of the Bioeconomy Directorate

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Bell at the “Sustainable & circular bioeconomy, the European way” event, 2018

In 2014, John Bell led the development of the EU International Bioeconomy Policy[34]. As Bioeconomy[35] Director in the Directorate-General Research & Innovation, Bell was leading, defining and managing investment of the EU Research and Innovation Horizon 2020 Work Programme with an EU budget of EUR 3 billion euros. Additionally, he led the implementation of EU Research & Innovation Policy and initiatives in the Bio-based Industries[36], Sustainable Bioeconomy, Agriculture[37], Food sector[38], Forestry[39], Marine, Maritime and Inland water[40]. As an EC Member of the Governing Board, he led the establishment of the EU Bio-based industries EUR 3.7 billion Public-Private Partnership Joint Undertaking[41].

2024: Adjunct full professor UCD

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In January 2024, he was nominated as Adjunct full professor at UCD School of Politics and International Relations (SPIRe)[42] on EU and sustainability policy issues.

“Healthy Planet” Director

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Bell at the “A New Era of Blue Enlightenment” event, 2017

The European Commission is composed of 56 departments and executive agencies[43]. Iliana Ivanova is the Commissioner for Innovation, Research, Culture, Education and Youth portfolio. Marc Lemaître is the Director General to provide overall strategic orientation and management of Directorate-General for Research & Innovation, within the framework set by the Directorate’s-General mission statement and annual work programme.

As Healthy Planet Director, John Bell is responsible for Horizon Europe[44] budget of EUR 95.5 billion in Cluster 6[45]. He has been Co-Chair of the EUR 2 billion CBE Governing Board[46]. He is a board member of the EEA. He leads EU Research & Innovation Global Science diplomacy on All-Atlantic Ocean Research and Innovation Alliance (AAORIA)[47], Food Sustainability (Food 2030[48]) and Bioeconomy (International Bioeconomy Forum[49]). The director is also responsible for Commission Scientific Input into the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC)[50], Partnership on Food and Nutrition Security and Sustainable Agriculture (FNSSA)[51], and The Group on Earth Observations (GEO)[52].

The European Green Deal

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Besides, Research and Innovation is driving the transformative change for the Green Deal incorporation, leading the Green Deal Research & Innovation[53] on the European Green Deal, now going through the European Green Deal EUR 1 billion call[54].

Horizon Europe Missions - Innovation in delivering moonshot type of impact

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Galway Statement celebratory event, 2023

Bell has launched, led and developed EU Green Deal Missions[55] for Oceans and Waters[56] with Mission Chair Pascal Lamy and Climate Adaptation[57] with Connie Hedegaard from 2019-2021, and Cities[58] with Hanna Gronkiewicz-Waltz.

EU missions are a commitment to solve major societal challenges. Horizon Europe delivers missions as a portfolio of excellence-based and impact-driven R&I actions across disciplines and sectors, intended to achieve within a set timeframe, a measurable goal that could not be achieved through individual actions.

Sustainable Policy Innovation - Bioeconomy

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Bell has led and developed the EU Bioeconomy policy[59] from 2014 to date.

The EU Bioeconomy Policy evolution starts by February 2012 when Europe’s initial bioeconomy strategy[60] is adopted. It addresses the production of renewable biological resources and their conversion into vital products and bioenergy. In November 2017, a new way forward is decided at the bioeconomy policy day. Bioeconomy stakeholders’ manifesto[61] is launched, providing guidance to regions and EU countries developing their own strategies, as well as to the EU as a whole. By the beginning of next year, a review[62] of the bioeconomy strategy refocuses the actions to better support the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), Paris Agreement climate objectives[63] and new EU policy priorities.

Chair/Vice Chair of the EU Governing Board Circular Bio-based Europe (CBE) public-private partnership

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CBE funds projects advancing competitive circular bio-based industries in Europe. He has been Chair (2022-2023) and Vice-Chair of the EU Governing Board of EUR 2 billion Circular Bio-based Europe (CBE)[64] public-private partnership with industry. He leads the deployment of the EU Bioeconomy Strategy[65] together with the Chair Rob Beekers[66], Director of New Business Development at Cargill Bio-Industrial Group[67]. The Governing Board is the main decision-making body of CBE Joint Undertaking (JU). It supervises the implementation of the CBE JU’s objectives[68], adopts its Strategic Research and Innovation Agenda (SRIA)[69] as well as its yearly work programme and budget[70], and approves the annual activity report[71].

Innovation International Ocean Research Cooperation - All-Atlantic Ocean Research and Innovation Alliance

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John Bell, through his commitment to science diplomacy for sustainability, he has delivered a 1.000 research teams’ programme All-Atlantic Ocean Research and Innovation Alliance (AAORIA)[47] through the “Galway” and “Belém” Declarations with the US, Canada, Brazil, South Africa, Argentina, Capo Verde, Morocco, as well as Arctic cooperation, International Bioeconomy Forum, Global Earth Observation, Mediterranean Water Agriculture PRIMA and African Union Food and Nutrition Security.

AAORIA is the result of science diplomacy efforts involving countries from both sides of the Atlantic Ocean. It builds upon the success of two existing cooperative agreements: the Galway Statement on Atlantic Ocean Cooperation, which was signed by the European Union, United States, and Canada in 2013; and the Belem Statement on Atlantic Ocean Research and Innovation Cooperation, which was signed by the European Union, Brazil, and South Africa in 2017.

AAORIA aims to enhance marine research and innovation cooperation along and across the Atlantic Ocean. In 2022, the “All-Atlantic Declaration”[72] was signed to revitalize collaboration among current initiatives and enhance the coordination between the Galway Working Groups, All-Atlantic Joint Pilot Actions, and related projects. Additionally, it aims to engage new partners and initiatives to join the All-Atlantic community.

International Science Diplomacy Innovation

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International Bioeconomy Forum
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Bell at the 2nd International Bioeconomy Forum, 2019

The International Bioeconomy Forum (IBF)[73], launched in November 2017 by the European Commission, is a platform aimed at facilitating international cooperation on a limited number of research and innovation priorities and horizontal activities that are crucial for the development of a global sustainable bioeconomy.

Partnerships for Research and Innovation in the Mediterranean Area (PRIMA)
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Bell visiting PRIMA’s office, 2024

The Partnership for Research and Innovation in the Mediterranean Area (PRIMA)[74] is a ten-year initiative (2018-2028), partly funded by EU’s research and innovation programme Horizon 2020 and supported by the EU and 19 states from both shores of the Mediterranean. The innovation and scientific unique diplomacy program funds projects in the fields of sustainable and integrated water management, farming systems and agro-food value chain.

Based on equal footing, all PRIMA projects must include a minimum of three research teams from different participating countries, with at least one partner from the North and one partner from the South of the Mediterranean. The 19 participating countries in the program are Algeria, Croatia, Cyprus, Egypt, France, Germany, Greece, Israel, Italy, Jordan, Lebanon, Luxembourg, Malta, Morocco, Portugal, Slovenia, Spain, Tunisia and Turkey.

The PRIMA foundation is in charge of implementing the partnership with an investment of EUR 709 million euros.

AU-EU Partnership on Food and Nutrition Security and Sustainable Agriculture
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Bell at “Food 2030” conference, 2024

Food and nutrition security and sustainable agriculture was the first common priority research and innovation area, as part of the AU-EU High Level Policy Dialogue (HLPD)[75] on Science, Technology and Innovation, embedded in the Joint Africa-EU Strategy (JAES)[76]. The AU-EU Partnership on Food and Nutrition Security and Sustainable Agriculture (FNSSA)[77] and roadmap were endorsed at the AU-EU Summit in 2017.

The partnership addresses the challenges set out in United Nations Goal 2. End hunger, achieve food security and improved nutrition and promote sustainable agriculture by stimulating joint AU-EU research and innovation activities for an initial period of 10 years.

Activities complement current research and innovation partnerships supporting the food security objectives of the Science, Technology and Innovation Strategy for Africa (STISA-2024)[78].

The partnership is evolving with the new political priorities of the AU and EU. It is part of the green partnerships in relation to the European Green Deal and Farm to Fork strategy[79].

The partnership has channelled a joint investment of EUR 381 million on 4 priorities: sustainable intensification of agriculture, agriculture and food systems for nutrition, expansion and improvement of agricultural trade, and markets and cross-cutting topics.

Recognition

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John Bell receiving the UCD Alumni Award for Research, Innovation and Impact, 2019

2019: UCD Alumni Award in Research, Innovation and Impact[80], by University College Dublin, for his work developing the European Union Bioeconomy Strategy[65], Food 2030 strategy[48], All Atlantic Ocean research international cooperation[81], Climate & Biodiversity R&I and the Horizon 2020 framework Research and Innovation programme[82]

John Bell being awarded Doctor Honoris Causa by the Agriculture University of Plovdiv, 2022

2022: Doctor Honoris Causa, by the Agricultural University of Plovdiv, for his contribution to sustainable European Bioeconomy Research and Innovation[83]

John Bell announcement as UCD Adjunct full Professor on the SPIRe Newsletter, 2023

2024: Adjunct full Professor UCD.

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Articles / Publications

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Conferences / Seminars

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Interviews

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Podcasts

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Reports

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Webinars

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Youtube

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  1. ^ European and international Bioeconomy Policymaking.
  2. ^ Partnership for Biobased Industries.
  3. ^ First Ocean scale research and innovation alliance.
  4. ^ All-Atlantic Ocean Research and Innovation Alliance.
  5. ^ Galway Declaration.
  6. ^ Belem Statement.
  7. ^ Washington Declaration.
  8. ^ EC’s Opinion on Poland’s Membership of the European Union.
  9. ^ Philosophy Society UCD.
  10. ^ “Compelling Identities: Nation and Lyric Form in Seamus Heaney” (1993).
  11. ^ James Joyce Summer School.
  12. ^ Millenium Dublin Literary Pub Crawl.
  13. ^ Newman Books.
  14. ^ Food Safety Health Consumer Affairs.
  15. ^ Food Safety & Enlargement.
  16. ^ Public Health.
  17. ^ Pandemic Preparedness establishing ECDC.
  18. ^ Health Security Committee.
  19. ^ Severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS).
  20. ^ Bioterrorism.
  21. ^ Tobacco Control legislation & FCTC Treaty.
  22. ^ Anti-Microbial Resistance.
  23. ^ Health: global fund to fight HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria.
  24. ^ Pharmaceutical Innovation.
  25. ^ Patient Safety.
  26. ^ Alternative dispute resolution (ADR) for consumers.
  27. ^ Consumer Policy.
  28. ^ EU Consumer Rights.
  29. ^ Global Product Safety.
  30. ^ Joint Research Centre.
  31. ^ First European Research Policy.
  32. ^ EU Horizon 2020.
  33. ^ EU Research and Innovation Framework Programme.
  34. ^ EU International Bioeconomy Policy.
  35. ^ Bioeconomy.
  36. ^ Bio-based Industries.
  37. ^ Agriculture.
  38. ^ Food sector.
  39. ^ Forestry.
  40. ^ Marine, Maritime and Inland water.
  41. ^ EU Bio-based industries EUR 3.7 billion Public-Private Partnership Joint Undertaking.
  42. ^ UCD School of Politics and International Relations (SPIRe).
  43. ^ European Commission departments and executive agencies.
  44. ^ Horizon Europe.
  45. ^ Cluster 6.
  46. ^ CBE Governing Board.
  47. ^ a b All-Atlantic Ocean Research and Innovation Alliance (AAORIA).
  48. ^ a b Food 2030.
  49. ^ International Bioeconomy Forum.
  50. ^ Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC).
  51. ^ Partnership on Food and Nutrition Security and Sustainable Agriculture (FNSSA).
  52. ^ The Group on Earth Observations (GEO).
  53. ^ Green Deal Research & Innovation.
  54. ^ European Green Deal EUR 1 billion call.
  55. ^ EU Green Deal Missions.
  56. ^ EU Mission: Restore our Ocean and Waters.
  57. ^ EU Mission: Adaptation to Climate Change.
  58. ^ EU Mission: Climate-Neutral and Smart Cities.
  59. ^ EU Bioeconomy policy.
  60. ^ Bioeconomy strategy.
  61. ^ Bioeconomy stakeholders’ manifesto.
  62. ^ Review of the 2012 European Bioeconomy Strategy.
  63. ^ Paris Agreement climate objectives.
  64. ^ Circular Bio-based Europe (CBE).
  65. ^ a b EU Bioeconomy Strategy.
  66. ^ Chair Rob Beekers.
  67. ^ Cargill Bio-Industrial Group.
  68. ^ CBE JU’s objectives.
  69. ^ Strategic Research and Innovation Agenda (SRIA).
  70. ^ CBE JU Annual Work Programme and Budget.
  71. ^ CBE JU Annual Activity Report.
  72. ^ All-Atlantic Declaration.
  73. ^ International Bioeconomy Forum (IBF).
  74. ^ Partnership for Research and Innovation in the Mediterranean Area (PRIMA).
  75. ^ AU-EU High Level Policy Dialogue (HLPD).
  76. ^ Joint Africa-EU Strategy (JAES).
  77. ^ AU-EU Partnership on Food and Nutrition Security and Sustainable Agriculture (FNSSA).
  78. ^ Science, Technology and Innovation Strategy for Africa (STISA-2024).
  79. ^ Farm to Fork strategy.
  80. ^ UCD Alumni Award in Research, Innovation and Impact.
  81. ^ All Atlantic Ocean research international cooperation.
  82. ^ Horizon 2020 framework Research and Innovation programme.
  83. ^ European Bioeconomy Research and Innovation.
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