Royal Society Award for STFC RAL Scientist

Dr Elin McCormack, a space researcher with STFC RAL Space has received a Dorothy Hodgkin Fellowship from the Royal Society, for her work on remote sensing of atmospheric electric field strength. She is one of just nine researchers selected for one of these highly competitive fellowships this year.

Dr McCormack said, "I’m delighted that the Royal Society has chosen to support my research and I’m looking forward to doing this work in the stimulating scientific environment that RAL Space provides.”

Her project uses a new measurement technique that has the potential to enable the study of properties of the Earth that impact on climate change, radio propagation and health.

The Dorothy Hodgkin Fellowship scheme supports outstanding scientists and engineers at an early stage of their career. It is aimed specifically at researchers who require a flexible working pattern – such as those with young children – so is particularly popular with female scientists.

Professor Richard Holdaway, Director of RAL Space, said, ‘We are all delighted that Elin’s incredible scientific expertise has been recognised at the highest level. This is a fantastic achievement, and one that will enable Elin to carry on with the tremendous and important research that she has been doing. It is great that we now live in a society that is encouraging women to continue to work, have careers, whilst bringing up a family.”