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 is a famous British scientist who studies polymers. Polymers are like long chains of tiny building blocks. They are found in many things, from plastics and rubber to parts of our own bodies! She was born on July 1, 1942. For a long time, she has worked at Imperial College London. There, she is now a special professor who still does important research.
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Becoming a Scientist
Julia Higgins went to Ursuline High School, Wimbledon. After that, she studied at Somerville College, Oxford. She earned two important degrees there: a Master of Arts and a Doctor of Philosophy (DPhil). These degrees helped her become a top scientist.
Julia Higgins's Career and Contributions
Julia Higgins has had a very busy and important career in science. She is known for using a special method called neutron scattering. This method helps scientists understand how materials like polymers are built and how they move.
Helping Women in Science
Julia Higgins has always worked to help other scientists. From 1998 to 2003, she led the Athena Project. This project helps women get ahead in science, engineering, and technology (SET) at universities. She wanted to make sure more girls and women could become scientists and engineers.
Leading Science Organizations
Julia Higgins has held many leadership roles.
- From 2003 to 2007, she was the chair of the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council. This group helps decide which science projects get money for research in the UK.
- She was also the president of the Institution of Chemical Engineers from 2002 to 2003.
- From 2003 to 2004, she was president of the British Association for the Advancement of Science. This group helps share science with everyone.
- She was elected a Fellow of the Royal Society in 1995. This is a very high honor for scientists in the UK. She also served as its foreign secretary from 2001 to 2006.
- From 2008 to 2012, she led the Advisory Committee on Mathematics Education (ACME). This committee helps improve how math is taught in schools.
Working at Imperial College
In 2006, Julia Higgins became the head of the Faculty of Engineering at Imperial College London. This is one of the biggest engineering schools in the UK. It has many departments, staff, and students. She helped guide the future of engineering education there.
Encouraging Young People
Julia Higgins is a supporter of WISE. This is a charity that encourages young women to choose careers in science, engineering, and construction. She wants to inspire the next generation of scientists and engineers. She also served as president of the Institute of Physics from 2017 to 2019.
Awards and Honors
Julia Higgins has received many awards for her amazing work.
- In 1995, she was elected a Fellow of the Royal Society. This is a huge honor for scientists.
- In 1999, she became a Fellow of the Royal Academy of Engineering.
- In 2001, she was given the title of Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire (DBE) by the Queen. This is like being knighted, but for women!
- In 2003, she received the Chevalier de la Légion d'honneur from France.
- In 2006, she received the Holweck Prize.
- In 2020, she was awarded the Sir Frank Whittle Medal for her excellent work in polymer engineering.
She has also received special degrees from many universities in the UK and from the University of Melbourne in Australia. Her portrait was even unveiled at Imperial College in 2014, showing how much she is respected.
See also
In Spanish: Julia Higgins para niños
