1 July 1942 - Birth of Julia Higgins, a chemical engineer specializing in polymer science

Chemical engineer Dame Julia Stretton Higgins (née Downes) was born in Surbiton (UK) on 1 July 1942.

Higgins studied at Somerville College, Oxford University, and obtained her Ph.D. in physical chemistry from Cambridge University in 1976. She continued her teaching career at the University of Sussex and, before being appointed professor of polymer science at Imperial College London, she worked at the Laue-Lavengin Institute.

In her career she has made significant contributions to polymer materials research, primarily studying their molecular structure using neutron scattering techniques, and has carried out research in areas such as nanotechnology, biological materials, and sustainable energy.

She has published more than 400 scientific papers and has received numerous awards and honors for her work, including the Order of the British Empire and the Davy Medal of the Royal Society.

Higgins was elected to the National Academy of Engineering for the application of neutron scattering and reflectivity to polymeric materials and her service to the scientific community in 1999. She chaired the Advisory Committee on Mathematics Education (ACME) from 2008 to 2012.

In addition to her scientific work, Higgins is noted for her commitment to increasing diversity in science and engineering, as well as her support for science and technology education in general. She is an active advocate for gender equality and has worked to improve opportunities for women in science and technology by sponsoring the WISE organization that encourages young women to pursue careers in science, engineering, and construction.

Since 1976 she has worked in the Department of Chemical Engineering at Imperial College London, where (since 2007) she has been Emeritus Professor and Senior Research Fellow.