Lancaster University’s Distinguished Professor Louise Heathwaite is to become a Fellow of one of the world’s most prestigious learned societies in recognition of her sustained scholarship in environmental science, her outstanding contribution to science leadership, and her highly-valued expertise in translating science to policy and impacts.

The Royal Society is a Fellowship of some 1,600 of the world’s most eminent scientists. With origins dating back to 1660, and with previous Fellows including Newton, Darwin, Einstein, Hawking and Hodgkin, it is the UK’s national science academy and is the world’s oldest scientific academy in continuous existence.

Professor Heathwaite, a hydrochemist by training based in the Lancaster Environment Centre, has published more than 250 peer-reviewed articles with over 13,500 citations. She is among 59 new Fellows to be elected this year by Fellows of the Royal Society. Candidates for Fellowship must have made ‘a substantial contribution to the improvement of natural knowledge, including mathematics, engineering science and medical science.’

Each year the Royal Society elects new Fellows and new Foreign Members. This year there were around 680 nominations for election. In addition to the 59 new Fellows, there were 19 Foreign Members and two Honorary Fellows elected.

An internationally recognised authority on diffuse environmental pollution, particularly in relation to nitrogen and phosphorus loss from agricultural land to watercourses and impact on freshwater quality, Professor Heathwaite is also part of Lancaster University’s senior leadership team as Pro-Vice-Chancellor for Research and Enterprise.

Professor Heathwaite has a strong track record in leading and communicating evidence-based policy outcomes through numerous external appointments. In 2018, she was awarded a CBE in the Queen’s Birthday honours list for services to scientific research and scientific advice to government. Her external appointments include a ministerial appointment as Chair of the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) Science Advisory Council, providing independent expert advice to DEFRA’s Chief Scientific Advisor. She was appointed by ministers to the UK Cabinet Office’s Geospatial Commission as an independent commissioner in 2022. Other appointments include acting as Chief Scientific Advisor for Rural Affairs, Food and Environment for the Scottish Government, and she has led for the Natural Environment Research Council major strategic research programmes relating to the sustainable use of natural resources.

Professor Heathwaite said: “It is a huge privilege to be elected to the Fellowship of the Royal Society and the pinnacle of my broad research career to date. I am deeply grateful to Lancaster University, which has been my home for nearly 20 years for the support and encouragement in helping me achieve this honour.”

Lancaster University Visiting Professor, Professor Dame Sue Black, who in addition to being President of St John’s College, Oxford, continues to research hand-identification with colleagues at Lancaster University through the H-Unique research programme, has also been elected to become a Fellow of the Royal Society this year.

Professor Dame Sue Black said: “I am deeply honoured to be elected to Fellowship of the Royal Society based on the H-unique research that I started, and which continues at Lancaster University. Without the ongoing support of the University, the successful outcomes for this research would simply not have been possible and I am inordinately grateful as are all of the H-unique team.

Professor Andy Schofield, Vice-Chancellor of Lancaster University, has welcomed the election of the Fellows by the Royal Society.

He said: “Election to the Royal Society is among the very highest accolades for any scientist so I am absolutely thrilled to see Louise Heathwaite FRS recognised in this way for her profound scientific achievements and her influence in the national science agenda. We are indeed very fortunate to have Louise as part of the University Senior Leadership.

“This is also double recognition for Lancaster University as we see Sue Black FRS similarly recognised by the Royal Society and am delighted for her and that she continues her acclaimed work on the H-unique project with Lancaster University. It is wonderful to see Lancaster’s achievements reflected in the success of our colleagues.”

Sir Adrian Smith, President of the Royal Society, said: “I am delighted to welcome our newest cohort of Fellows.

“These individuals have pushed forward the boundaries of their respective fields and had a beneficial influence on the world beyond... They are pioneering scientists and innovators from around the world who have confounded expectations and transformed our thinking.

“This year’s intake have already achieved incredible things, and I have no doubt that they will continue to do so. I look forward to meeting them and following their contributions in future.”

Their Fellowships sees them join existing Lancaster University Royal Society Fellows: Distinguished Professor George Pickett of the Department of Physics; Professor John Dainton, Honorary Professor also in Lancaster University’s Department of Physics; Distinguished Professor Keith Beven and Professor Terence Mansfield, Emeritus Professors from the Lancaster Environment Centre; and Professor Stephen Long, Visiting Professor also from the Lancaster Environment Centre.

Professor Dame Sue Black, Lancaster University Visiting Professor