Currently based at Lancaster University as Pro-Vice-Chancellor for Engagement Professor, she will sit on the crossbenches.
Prof Black, who will take up her appointment alongside her current role at Lancaster, said: “I know this will be a challenging position and I view it as national service.
“I have been incredibly fortunate throughout my career and if those experiences can be brought to bear in government decision-making, then I can only promise to do my best which I hope will be enough.”
Prof Black is a familiar face to many thanks to her books, television documentary appearances and media work.
She currently leads the 2.5million euro H-unique project designed to identify serious criminals based on their hand anatomy.