Well-deserved honours for long-serving members of our community
Congratulations to three of our fellows, who have been recognised in Her Majesty the Queen’s Birthday Honours list for 2016.
Professor David Clary receives a knighthood for services to international science, Lorelly Wilson receives an MBE for services to education and Julia Hatto is awarded with a British Empire medal for services to the chemical sciences.
Our director of membership and external affairs, Clare Viney, has known Julia Hatto for many years, and explains how pleased she is to see her recognised in this way.
Clare says: “Julia’s enthusiasm, creativity and passion for the chemical sciences is renowned, and over the past three decades she has inspired tens of thousands of young people, teachers, and technicians.
“As an active member of the Royal Society of Chemistry for over 30 years, Julia has worked tirelessly to engage people with the world of science, and has taken a special interest in the education of a generation of young people who will make the next crucial scientific discoveries.”
Julia has recently been heavily involved in organising the presentation of a National Chemical landmark at the former site of Beechams Research Laboratories, at Brockham Park, near her home in Surrey.
Like so much of her work over the years, that has included inspiring local schoolchildren to get involved with the celebrations.
Julia says: “When I learnt of this honour I felt incredibly privileged and humble in equal measure. I am so lucky to have had the opportunity to work with some very talented scientists and to be able to share my love of chemistry with so many young people.
“Being involved in the chemical sciences brings me happiness every day and I have made some lifelong friends along the way. To be recognised for that is truly amazing!”
Lorelly Wilson uses everyday scenarios and experiments to make chemistry interesting for children and adults, working with her company, Chemistry with Cabbage. She was recently recognised as one of our 175 faces of chemistry.
Our head of teaching and learning, Nicole Morgan, says: “Lorelly has been a great contributor to the work of the Royal Society of Chemistry for many years, serving on our Committee for Schools and Colleges and more recently on our Education Division Council.
“Lorelly’s passion for outreach and primary science is infectious! Her contributions to engagement with chemistry were recognised when she became the first recipient of our Inspiration and Industry Award.
Robert Parker our chief executive, welcomes Professor David Clary's knighthood, saying: "This is fitting recognition of David's commitment to science around the world, not least during his presidency of our Faraday Division, but also, of course, for his great contribution as the first Chief Scientific Advisor to the Foreign and Commonwealth Office.
"Congratulations to David from me on behalf of the whole Royal Society of Chemistry community."
