Women scientists and engineers have featured strongly among the upper echelons of the 2026 New Year Honours List.
Damehoods (DBEs) went to four leading figures in the nuclear industry, optical communications, soil science and pathology.
Departing president of the Nuclear Institute professor Fiona Rayment (pictured) was recognised for her three decades in engineering roles and her commitment to promoting diversity in the sector.
Most recently she was chief science and technology officer and special advisor to the CEO at the UK National Nuclear Laboratory
Describing the award as a “huge privilege”, Rayment added: “My career as an engineer in the nuclear industry has enabled me to work on so many interesting projects and meet countless wonderful people, both in the UK and internationally.
“Nuclear provides clean and reliable energy and as an engineer working on such worthwhile projects, I continue to engage on both exciting and rewarding opportunities.”
Also honoured was professor Polina Bayvel, head of the UCL Optical Networks Group, and fibre optics pioneer, who in 2023 became the first female recipient of the Royal Society’s Rumford Medal in its 226-year history.
A DBE was also awarded to the forensic soil scientist professor Lorna Dawson. Responsible for establishing the Centre for Forensic Soil Science at the James Hutton Institute, she has worked with Interpol, the British Security Services and the US Federal Bureau of Investigation on major court cases.
Joining them is the pathologist Dr Suzannah Lishman. President of the Royal College of Pathologists from 2014 to 2017, she played a key role in the introduction of the Medical Examiner system in England and Wales to improve death certification, communication with bereaved families and data collation to inform health policy.
There was a knighthood too for the Regius Keeper of the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh professor Simon Milne. The former Royal Marines officer is credited with raising the organisation’s profile as a world leader in botanical science, conservation and horticulture.
An OBE went to former chief executive and president of The Institute of Cancer Research professor Paul Workman, with an MBE awarded to the Royal Society of Chemistry’s honorary treasurer Claire Gallery-Strong.
For a full list of this year’s New Year Honours recipients, click here.