Queen Mary Professor of Materials Science, Professor Sir Colin Humphreys, has been appointed as a Member of the Council of the Royal Society.

Already a Fellow of the Royal Society for many years, Professor Sir Humphreys now joins their Council, the governing body responsible for its policy and management, led by Sir Paul Nurse.

Professor Sir Humphreys was elected as a Member of the Council after being nominated, shortlisted and elected by the Society’s 1,800 Fellows around the world. To be elected to the Council is a mark of esteem and recognition of Professor Sir Humphreys’ work and accomplishments as a scientist.

Speaking on his new appointment, Professor Sir Humphreys said: “I am delighted to have been elected as a member of the Council of The Royal Society, the world's oldest national scientific academy, and I look forward to encouraging the development and use of science for the benefit of humanity.”

The Royal Society was founded in 1660. Its mission is to recognise, promote and support excellence in science.

The backbone of the Society is its Fellowship of the most eminent scientists of the day, elected by peer review for life.

Beyond his academic work, Professor Sir Humphreys has spent a lot of time communicating materials science principles to lay audiences. This work resulted in him being awarded a CBE in January 2003 for ‘services to science as a researcher and communicator’, followed by a knighthood in 2010.

Learn more about Professor Sir Humphreys' life and career on BBC Radio 4's The Life Scientific.