Honorary fellowships awarded for outstanding achievements in engineering

Three esteemed engineers will be rewarded for their outstanding achievements with Honorary Fellowships from the Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET) at the institute’s awards ceremony on Wednesday 18 November.

Professor Dame Julia King will receive the Honorary Fellowship in recognition of her outstanding contribution to the engineering profession. Dame King’s academic work focuses on fatigue and fracture in structural materials, and developments in aerospace and marine propulsion technology. She has also held senior positions at Rolls-Royce and the Institute of Physics.

“It is a special honour to receive this prestigious IET Honorary Fellowship. I hope it will help to send a message to women that the engineering profession is one that needs their talents and in which we can make a mark,” Dame King said.

Air Vice-Marshal John Main will also receive Honorary Fellowship in recognition of his outstanding service and loyalty to the IET and IET Connect for over 30 years’ continuous promotion and enhancement of the engineering profession.

In addition to a distinguished career in the Royal Air Force, including a range of engineering, command and staff appointments, Main has been unstinting in encouraging the next generation of armed forces and civilian personnel to gain professional recognition.

Professor Steve Cowley will receive the honour in recognition of his contributions to plasma and fusion science.Prof Cowley is chief executive officer at the UK Atomic Energy Authority (UKAEA) and Professor at Imperial College London. His main interest is in realising fusion power, and he played a leading role in developing the multi-scale approach to computing plasma turbulence.

Naomi Climer, IET president, said: “I am delighted that we are able to mark these outstanding individuals with one of the IET’s highest honours.

“Their contribution to engineering and technology is immense and their positive influence is felt by us all every day, right across the world.”