66 new Fellows are elected to the Learned Society of Wales

SIXTY-SIX new Fellows have been elected to the Learned Society of Wales, half of them women.

Academics, researchers and public figures join the society from across academic and civic life in Wales and beyond.

Specialisms run from aerospace engineering to the history of African Europeans, ceramic microstructures to the Baroque violin, women in surgery to the National Trust.

Professor Hywel Thomas, president of the society, said: “The expertise of our new Fellows is outstanding. The range of research shows that Wales is well-placed to meet the environmental, technological, social, cultural, political and health challenges we face.

“The society’s ability to bring together this talent allows us to initiate and influence important debates about how Wales, the UK and the world can navigate the turbulent waters we are in today.

“I am most pleased that 50% of our new Fellows are women. This shows we are starting to meet our commitments on equality, diversity and inclusion. There is further to go, as we work to make the society reflect Wales’ diversity, but this is an important step.”

The society has also admitted four new Honorary Fellows. They are:

■ Baroness Brown of Cambridge Professor Julia King is an engineer, one of the UK’s most respected voices on climate change and chairs the UK Climate Change Adaptation Committee.

■ Charles Burton is one of Wales’ leading artists, whose work has an international flavour but captures the landscapes and qualities of Rhondda, from where he comes.

■ Dame Sue Ion is an engineer who has become a leading advocate for, and government advisor on, energy policy and the safe and efficient use of nuclear power.

■ Sir Karl Jenkins, born in Gower, is a cross-genre musician and composer whose music is among the most performed in the world today.