22 September 2009

Professor receives prestigious honorary fellowship

An academic from the University of Sheffield has received national acclaim after being elected an honorary fellow of the Institute of Physics (IOP).

Emeritus Professor Gillian Gehring O.B.E., from the University of Sheffield´s Department of Physics and Astronomy, has received the Institute´s highest honour for her exceptional service to physics.

Professor Gehring has had a long and distinguished career studying magnetism. Since her retirement in 2006, she has continued to be productive and has made seminal contributions to the field. Earlier this year she received a medal and prize from the Institute of Physics for her work in this area.

Additionally, Professor Gehring has been an inspiring role model for young women and has worked tirelessly to promote and encourage women physicists. After being only the second woman to become a professor of physics in the UK, Professor Gehring has been actively promoting initiatives to encourage more women to pursue careers in physics in both the Institute of Physics in the UK and more widely in the European Physical Society.

Professor Gehring said: "I am overwhelmed by this honour from the Institute of Physics. My whole career has been as an active teacher and researcher in physics and so it is extremely gratifying to be honoured by my peers in this way."

Professor David Mowbray, Head of the University´s Department of Physics and Astronomy, said: "I´m delighted that Professor Gehring has been awarded this honour. Not only does it acknowledge her outstanding contribution to the field of magnetism but also her work over many years to encourage women to study physics and to continue in the subject to the highest level."

Dr Beth Taylor, Director of Communications and External Relations at the Institute of Physics, said: "Both as an expert in magnetism and as a role model to young physicists, Gillian's work has been outstanding and we are sure that, as an honorary fellow of the Institute, she will continue to inspire everyone she meets with just how rewarding a career in physics can be."

For further information please contact: Lauren Anderson, Media Relations Officer, on 0114 2221046 or email l.h.anderson@sheffield.ac.uk

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