Jane Francis facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Jane Francis
DCMG FRS
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Portrait of Jane Francis
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| Chancellor of the University of Leeds | |
| Assumed office 9 July 2018 |
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| Preceded by | Melvyn Bragg |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
Jane Elizabeth Francis
October 1956 (age 68) |
| Nationality | British |
| Alma mater | University of Southampton |
| Awards |
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| Website | Jane Francis at British Antarctic Survey |
| Scientific career | |
| Fields | Palaeoclimatology |
| Institutions |
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| Thesis | The fossil forests of the basal Purbeck formation (upper jurassic) of Dorset, Southern England (1982) |
Professor Dame Jane Elizabeth Francis (born in October 1956) is a famous British scientist. She is the Director of the British Antarctic Survey, which is a leading research center for polar regions. She is also a professor of Palaeoclimatology, which means she studies Earth's ancient climates.
Before her current role, she was a professor at the University of Leeds. In 2002, she made history by becoming only the fourth woman to receive the Polar Medal. This award is given for amazing work in British polar research. Since 2018, she has also been the Chancellor of the University of Leeds.
Education and Early Career
Jane Francis went to Simon Langton Girls' Grammar School in Canterbury. She then studied Geology at the University of Southampton, where she earned both her first degree and her PhD.
From 1979 to 1982, she was a research student at Southampton University. After that, she continued her research at Bedford College, London until 1984. She then joined the British Antarctic Survey (BAS) as a Palaeobotanist, studying ancient plants.
Work in Polar Science
For five years, Jane Francis worked as a researcher at the University of Adelaide in Australia. In 1991, she became a lecturer at the University of Leeds in the UK. She was promoted to Senior Lecturer in 1996.
In 2002, she received the special Polar Medal. This award recognized her outstanding contributions to British polar research. She was only the fourth woman ever to receive it.
She became a full Professor of Palaeoclimatology at the University of Leeds. She also directed the Centre for Polar Science there. In 2008, she became the Dean of the Faculty of Environment. She is still an Honorary Professor at the University of Leeds.
On October 1, 2013, Professor Francis became the Director of the British Antarctic Survey. She was the first woman to lead this important organization.
What She Studies
Professor Francis is very interested in Paleoclimatology (ancient climates) and Paleobotany (ancient plants). She studies fossil plants to understand what the climate was like long ago. This helps us learn about past climate change and how different kinds of life existed.
One of her key areas of research is the "Antarctic paradox." This means that even though Antarctica is very cold and icy now, the many plant fossils found there show that it used to be much warmer. She has traveled on more than 16 expeditions to both the Arctic and Antarctic regions for her research.
The Geological Society of London has praised her for her important role in guiding Earth science research in polar areas. She has served on many national and international committees. She was also the first woman to lead the Operations Working Group of the Antarctic Treaty Consultative Meetings. This is an international group that deals with legal and practical issues in Antarctica.
Professor Francis is a member of several important scientific groups. These include the UK Natural Environment Research Council (NERC) Executive Board and the international Scientific Committee on Antarctic Research.
Awards and Recognition
Professor Francis has received many awards for her work.
- In 2002, she was awarded the Polar Medal by Queen Elizabeth II. This was for her amazing contributions to British polar research.
- In 2014, she received honorary doctorates from the University of Leeds and the University of Plymouth.
- The Science Council named her an "Explorer Scientist" among 100 leading UK scientists in 2014.
- She also received the Coke Medal from the Geological Society of London (2014) and the President's Award from the Paleontological Society.
- The US National Science Foundation gave her the Antarctica Service Medal.
In the 2017 New Year Honours, she was made a Dame Commander of the Order of St Michael and St George (DCMG). This honor was for her services to polar science and diplomacy.
In 2017, Professor Francis became the seventh Chancellor of the University of Leeds. She took over from Melvyn Bragg. In December 2020, a mountain peak on Adelaide Island was named Francis Peak in her honor. In 2021, she was elected a Fellow of the Royal Society, which is a very high honor for scientists.
