Brian Follett facts for kids

Sir Brian Keith Follett (born 22 February 1939) is a British biologist and important leader in education. He studied how the environment, especially changes in day length, affects how birds and mammals reproduce. Sir Brian was knighted in 1992. He has been a Fellow of the Royal Society since 1984. He also led important organizations like the UK government's Training and Development Agency for Schools. He was also the Vice-Chancellor of the University of Warwick.

Early Life and Education

Brian Follett went to Bournemouth School. He studied biological chemistry, which is about the chemistry of living things. After finishing his first degree, he earned his Ph.D. at the University of Bristol. His studies there helped him learn about endocrinology. This field focuses on hormones and how they work in the body.

Career and Research

In 1964, Brian Follett moved to Washington State University. He joined a group studying photoperiodism. This is how living things react to changes in day length. His research looked at how birds and mammals use day length to control their breeding. He studied how their brains measure day length. This information then tells their bodies when to reproduce.

He later became a lecturer at Leeds University. In 1969, he moved to the University of Bangor. Then, in 1978, he became a Professor of Zoology at the University of Bristol. He was also the head of that department. In 1993, he moved to the University of Warwick to become its Vice-Chancellor.

How Animals Measure Day Length

Sir Brian's studies often used Japanese quail and wild starlings. He helped create a way to measure a hormone called luteinizing hormone (LH) in birds. This allowed scientists to track hormone levels in individual birds. They could then see how hormones changed with different day lengths.

His work showed that birds have a special "clock" in their brains. This clock helps them know if a day is long or short. Birds are most sensitive to light at certain times of the day. If light hits them during these hours, their bodies know the day is "long." If not, it's a "short" day. This system helps them know when to breed.

Research on Animal Reproduction

In 1978, at Bristol, his research grew to include mammals like sheep. He also studied wild birds such as albatrosses, swans, gulls, and partridges. His team discovered how quickly animals respond to changes in day length. They also found out which colors of light affect non-eye light receptors in animals.

Later, other scientists used his work to study these changes at a tiny, molecular level. They found that thyroid hormones are very important for ending seasonal breeding. This means that even if days are long, animals eventually stop breeding for the season. This research has helped us understand how hormones control breeding in many animals.

His research group received funding from important science councils. They published many scientific papers and reviews.

Leading Universities and Organizations

Sir Brian Follett was the head of the Zoology Department at the University of Bristol for 15 years. He also served as the Biological Secretary of the Royal Society. This is a very old and respected scientific organization.

From 1993 to 2001, he was the Vice-Chancellor of the University of Warwick. During his time, the university became even better known. It improved its rankings in many subjects. He also started a program to attract bright young researchers to Warwick. The university became a founding member of the Russell Group of universities in 1994. This group includes leading research universities in the UK.

Sir Brian also led many committees for the UK government. These committees looked at important topics like the future of university libraries. He also chaired the government's Teacher Training Agency. This agency worked to improve how teachers are trained and recruited. From 2001 to 2019, he was a visiting professor at the University of Oxford. He also served as a governor for the Royal Shakespeare Theatre.

Awards and Recognition

• He was elected to the Royal Society in 1984.
• He received a knighthood in 1992.
• He has been given 13 honorary degrees and other awards for his work.

Personal Life

Sir Brian Follett married Deb Booth in 1961. She was a teacher and later worked in radio. Their daughter, Karen Williams, works at BC Women's Hospital in Vancouver. Their son, Richard Follett, is a historian. As of 2025, he is a Vice-President at the University of Exeter.