Emma Ross is the director of the Global Health Programme at Chatham House. She holds a master’s degree in journalism from Northwestern University in the United States.

Over more than 15 years at Chatham House, she has conducted research and led expert dialogues on a broad range of issues, from global health politics, diplomacy, and governance to international cooperation in the life sciences and health security. Her work also explores the policy implications of emerging technologies for health innovation, competitiveness, and biosecurity, alongside the role of the private sector in strengthening preparedness and resilience.

Until 2021, she served for a decade as Managing Editor of the Control of Communicable Diseases Manual, the authoritative global reference for managing infectious disease outbreaks. Prior to Chatham House, she led news operations at WHO headquarters in Geneva, following a career as a London-based medical correspondent for the Associated Press.

Emma will be moderating the opening session on November 19.