The Science Council have named Professor AbuBakr Bahaj, head of the Energy and Climate Change Division and the Sustainable Energy Research Group within the Faculty of Engineering and the Environment at the University of Southampton, in the ‘UK’s 100 Leading Practicing Scientists‘ within the ‘Policy Maker’ category.

Prof Bahaj was recognised by the Science Council for ‘combining his scientific and technical knowledge with an understanding of local government to inform local policy decisions.’ Prof Bahaj was appointed the UK’s first council appointed chief scientific adviser in 2012. He is also a Fellow of the Institution of Civil Engineers as well as being Professor of Sustainable Energy and leads several research projects in the field energy and the environment.

The list, published by the Science Council, was aimed to challenge ‘old fashioned views of scientists’. David Willetts, Minister for Universities and Science said of the list: “This list helpfully challenges the perception that there is only one kind of scientist and highlights the different types of skills and challenges a career in science involves. If we want more people to enter a career in science we need to show that the scientific community is not some exclusive club but people with a wide variety of vocations and interests who have rewarding careers and are making a significant contribution to the wealth and well-being of the UK.”

The list confirms the leading and cutting edge work the Sustainable Energy Research Group carries out in scientific research in relation to sustainable energy.

Congratulations also Prof Nigel Shadbolt and Dame Prof Wendy Hall, from the University of Southampton, who were also on the list.