Julia Higgins, polymeric materials research specialist

(1 July 1942, Surbiton (UK) - Present)

Chemical engineer Dame Julia Stretton Higgins (née Downes) studied at Somerville College, Oxford University, and obtained her PhD 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 his career, he has made important contributions to the research of polymeric materials, mainly studying their molecular structure by applying neutron scattering techniques, and has carried out research in areas such as nanotechnology, biological materials, and sustainable energy.

She has published over 400 scientific papers and has received numerous awards and honours for her work, including the OBE 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 for 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 organisation which 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.