Julia Higgins facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Dame Julia Higgins
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Higgins in 2019
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Julia Stretton Downes
1 July 1942 Surbiton, London, England
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| Alma mater | Somerville College, Oxford (MA, DPhil) |
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| Thesis | Inelastic scattering of neutrons from clathrate inclusion compounds and molecules in molecular sieves (1968) |
Dame Julia Stretton Higgins was born on July 1, 1942. She is a famous British scientist who studies polymers. Polymers are like long chains of tiny building blocks, found in plastics and many other materials. Since 1976, she has worked at Imperial College London in the Department of Chemical Engineering. Today, she is an emeritus professor there, which means she is a retired professor but still very respected and involved in research.
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Her School and University
Julia Higgins went to school at Ursuline High School, Wimbledon. She then studied at Somerville College, Oxford. There, she earned two important degrees: a Master of Arts (MA) and a Doctor of Philosophy (DPhil).
Her Amazing Career
Julia Higgins has had a long and impressive career in science. She has held many important roles and received great honors.
Working with Neutrons
In 1999, Julia Higgins became a member of the National Academy of Engineering. This was because she used a special method called neutron scattering to study polymeric materials. Neutron scattering helps scientists understand how materials are built at a very tiny level. She also helped the wider science community.
Leading Science Organizations
Julia Higgins has led many important groups.
- From 2008 to 2012, she was the head of the Advisory Committee on Mathematics Education (ACME). This group helps improve how math is taught.
- She also led the Athena Project from 1998 to 2003. This project works to help women succeed in science, engineering, and technology (SET) in universities.
- From 2003 to 2007, she was the chair of the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council. This council helps fund research in science and engineering.
- She was the president of the Institution of Chemical Engineers from 2002 to 2003.
- She also served as president of the British Association for the Advancement of Science from 2003 to 2004.
- From 2017 to 2019, she was the president of the Institute of Physics.
Honors and Fellowships
Julia Higgins has been recognized by many top scientific groups.
- In 1995, she was chosen as a Fellow of the Royal Society. This is a very high honor for scientists. She was also its foreign secretary from 2001 to 2006.
- She is a Fellow of many other important organizations. These include the Institution of Chemical Engineers, the Institute of Materials, Minerals and Mining, the Royal Society of Chemistry, and the Royal Academy of Engineering.
- She is also an honorary fellow of the Institute of Physics and Somerville College, Oxford.
Becoming a Dame
In 1996, she was made a Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE). Then, in 2001, she was given an even higher honor. She was named a Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire (DBE) by the Queen. This means she is called "Dame Julia."
Work at Imperial College
In June 2006, Dame Julia became the principal of the Faculty of Engineering at Imperial College London. This faculty is one of the biggest in the UK. It has nine departments, over 1,000 staff, and more than 4,200 students.
Helping Young Women in STEM
Dame Julia is a patron of WISE. This is a charity that encourages young women to choose careers in science, engineering, and construction. She wants more girls to get involved in these exciting fields.
Awards and Recognitions
Dame Julia Higgins has received many awards for her important work.
- In 1989, she was elected a Fellow of the Royal Society. Her nomination praised her for using neutron scattering to study polymers. It noted her ability to find new areas of polymer science to explore.
- In 2003, she received the Chevalier de la Légion d'honneur from France.
- In March 2010, she was named one of six "Women of Outstanding Achievement" in Science, Engineering, and Technology by the UKRC.
- In 2020, she was awarded the Sir Frank Whittle Medal by the Royal Academy of Engineering. This award recognized her long-term excellence in polymer engineering.
- A portrait of her was unveiled at Imperial College in June 2014.
See also
In Spanish: Julia Higgins para niños
