Adam Rutherford Keynote Speaker

British Professor of Genetics and Biosciences
Sunday Times Bestselling Author
Author of "How to Argue with a Racist: History, Science, Race and Reality"

Adam Rutherford's Biography

Adam Rutherford is a British Professor of Genetics and Biosciences, a Sunday Times bestselling author, a broadcaster, and a columnist with over two decades of experience in science and the origin of life. He is an engaging speaker who is sought-after for biosciences, genetics and industry events.

Adam joined University College London as an Honorary Senior Research Fellow, where he lectures on genetic evolution, race science and science communication in the Biosciences department.

He is a documentary writer and presenter on Inside Science and a co-host on the top-rated podcast The Curious Cases of Rutherford and Fry with British mathematician Hannah Fry. Both programs are hosted on BBC Radio 4, with the latter currently on its 17th season. As an audio-video editor, podcast content creator, and podcast editor for Nature Journal for over a decade from 2002, Adam delved into topics related to synthetic biology, genetics and eugenics.

Adam is an accomplished author with numerous books published on genetics and evolution. His first book, Creation: The Origin of Life / The Future of Life, published in 2014 as a ‘two in one’ to UK audiences, supports the evolutionary theory that humans emerged from primordial ponds and goes on to explore the creation of new organisms through genetic modifications. This book was shortlisted for the Wellcome Book Prize Award for its contribution to health and science in literature.

His 2020 book, How to Argue with a Racist: History, Science, Race and Reality, is a Sunday Times bestseller which tackles race, discrimination, intelligence and ancestry from a scientific perspective. In 2021, Adam co-authored the Sunday Times bestseller Rutherford and Fry’s Complete Guide to Absolutely Everything, with a revised edition released in 2022. More recently, he published Control: The Dark History and Troubling Present of Eugenics (2022), a clear-eyed exploration of how eugenic thinking has shaped policies and power, and why understanding that history matters today. He also released Where Are You Really From?: Adventure Through Millions of Years of Human History (Wren & Rook, 2023), an engaging illustrated non-fiction book for children exploring human evolution, migration and ancestry, and a celebration of our shared, interconnected human story; it won The Week Junior Children’s Book of the Year STEM 2024.

As a professor and writer, Adam has written numerous journal and scholarly articles. He is also a skilled pundit who has written for major publications and frequent columnist for The Guardian.

Being a figurehead in the scientific community, Adam has consulted on several science fiction movies such as the Academy Award-winning Ex Machina (2015), Netflix’s Annihilation (2017) and Devs (2020).

He holds a PhD in Genetics, which he obtained in 2002 from University College London for his work at the UCL Great Ormonde Street Institute of Child Health.

As a pioneer in genetics and developmental biology, human evolution and genetic engineering, Adam is a popular speaker at academic and scientific conferences.

He brings academic authority and real world relevance to debates on genetics, race and human identity, helping leaders navigate complex social and scientific questions with clarity and confidence.
He translates cutting edge science, from evolution and ancestry to genetics and eugenics, into compelling insights that challenge assumptions and sharpen strategic thinking.
He draws on decades of broadcasting and authorship to deliver engaging, evidence led talks that resonate with senior audiences across business, policy and education.
He equips organisations with a deeper understanding of science, ethics and misinformation, enabling more informed decision making, communication and leadership in a rapidly changing world.