Royal Academy of Engineering elects 73 new fellows

The Royal Academy of Engineering has elected 73 leading figures from the field of engineering and technology into its fellowship.

Comprising 60 Fellows, eight International Fellows and five Honorary Fellows, the group of new fellows consists of individuals who have made exceptional contributions to their own sector. This includes pioneering new innovations, leading progress in business or academia, providing high level advice to government, and/or promoting wider understanding of engineering and technology.

This year’s new cohort of Fellows continue to reflect the Royal Academy’s ongoing Fellowship Fit for the Future initiative, which was announced in July 2020. The aim of the initiative is to encourage more nominations of outstanding engineers from underrepresented groups, including women, ethnic minorities, people with disabilities, LGBTQ+ engineers and those from non-traditional education pathways, ahead of the Royal Academy’s 50th anniversary in 2026.

Among the 73 newly elected fellows are five with links to the city of Cambridge, namely:

Fellows (FREng)

• Professor Ruth Cameron Head (Joint), Department of Materials Science, University of Cambridge


• Professor Vikram Deshpande FRS Professor of Materials Engineering, University of Cambridge


• Professor William (Bill) O'Neill Professor of Laser Engineering, University of Cambridge


• Professor Ashwin Seshia Professor of Microsystems Technology, Department of Engineering, University of Cambridge

Honorary Fellows (HonFREng)

• Lord David Willetts PC FRS, President of the Resolution Foundation Chair and chair of Innovate Cambridge.

Professor Sir Jim McDonald FREng FRSE, President of the Royal Academy of Engineering, said: “Engineering is everywhere, but nowhere the same, and our new Fellows represent the great breadth and diversity of engineers who are striving to address some of the world’s most complex challenges – benefiting society and the economy in the process. From next generation power networks and water systems to quantum computing and artificial intelligence, our new Fellows are shaping the future.

“We live in an era of rapid change across our communities, our country, and of course our planet. Today we welcome to our Fellowship an inspiring group of people who are harnessing their creativity, courage and commitment to drive positive change in the world around us and we look forward to their contribution to our work.”

The new Fellows will be formally admitted to the Academy at a special ceremony in London on 28 November, when each Fellow will sign the roll book.

Visit the Royal Academy of Engineering’s website for the full list of newly elected fellows.

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Image credit: Royal Academy of Engineering

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