News

Good things come in threes

(23 July 2007)

Three Durham University professors receive tribute from highly prestigious British organisations.

Professors Anoush Ehteshami, Ash Amin and James Feast have been awarded noteable accolades for their exceptional contributions to the fields of Politics, Geography, and Chemistry. Joining the likes of Sir David Attenborough, Stephen Hawking and Nelson Mandela, Professor Anoush Ehteshami of the School of Government and International Affairs, was made a fellow of the Royal Society for the Encouragement of Arts, Manufactures and Commerce (RSA). Professor Ash Amin, of the Department of Geography and Executive Director of the Institute of Advanced Study, received a British Academy Fellowship. President of the Royal Society of Chemistry, Professor James Feast FRS, was honoured with the Royal Medal of the Royal Society for his outstanding contributions to chemical synthesis. Bolstering recognition of the standards of excellence in research at Durham University, the achievement of these esteemed awards further strengthens Durham’s well-established position as a leading teaching and research institution. Professor Ehteshami said: “To be elected a Fellow of the RSA must be regarded as one of the highlights of my career. It is hard to describe the thrill of the morning on which I opened the rather official-looking envelope from the Royal Society of Arts to find that I had been proposed for a Fellowship. To find oneself amongst the truly greats is awe-inspiring and also humbling at the same time. “I am now the third Fellow of the RSA in the School of Government and International Affairs, which provides clear recognition of the School's intellectual range and depth and its international standing. To stand amongst other leading institutions with this kind of gold standard is simply priceless.” Professor Amin said: “It is both humbling and exciting to be recognised by your peers in such an august institution, especially given my rather unusual entry into Geography through Italian Studies.” “Such awards stand as shorthand for collective international excellence, attributable not only to the receiving individuals but also to others who have made this possible, and most importantly, still others who are equally and perhaps more deserving. In short, the award confirms breadth and depth of excellence at Durham.” Professor Feast said: “I am delighted to receive this honour and believe it reflects my good luck in spending most of my career working with talented colleagues and students in a happy and stimulating environment." In praise of the accolades received, Vice-Chancellor of Durham University, Professor Chris Higgins said: “These awards are the premier research honours in the UK honours and are fitting rewards for the excellent work being carried out by these academics. Durham University is very proud of their achievements.”