The Minister for the Constitution, Chris Skidmore MP, has formally presented the University with a Royal Warrant signed by Her Majesty the Queen, officially conferring Her Majesty’s recognition with the title of the Regius Professor of Ocean Sciences.
Regius Professorships are rare and prestigious awards. This award was bestowed by Her Majesty the Queen in recognition of the University’s international leadership in ocean science and the maritime economy to mark her 90th birthday. Southampton also hosts the Regius Professorship in Computer Science with both titles being entirely unique to the University.
After presenting the Warrant, the Minister was given a tour of the world-class facilities at the National Oceanography Centre Southampton (NOCS) on the University’s Waterfront Campus. He was joined by Professor Rachel Mills, Dean of Natural and Environmental Sciences, and Professor Mark Spearing, the University’s Vice-President (Research and Enterprise).
Mr Skidmore said:
It is my great pleasure to present the Royal Warrant establishing the Chair of the Regius Professorship of Ocean Sciences at the University of Southampton. The Royal Warrant is an historical document conferring Her Majesty The Queen’s official recognition of exceptionally high quality in research and teaching. Your multidisciplinary institutes, bringing together expertise across a range of fields, has yielded amazing results.
The University has now initiated a global search for the Regius Professor in Ocean Sciences. Professor Wilson, Chair of the Search Committee, stated:
We seek a highly accomplished individual with an outstanding international track record in any area of ocean sciences.
His statement emphasizes the breadth and strength in depth of research at Southampton in the ocean and maritime sector.
