York academic elected as Royal Academy of Engineering Fellow

Posted on 22 September 2021

Professor Edwin Hancock from the Department of Computer Science has been elected as a Royal Academy of Engineering Fellow.

Professor Edwin Hancock is one of 69 leading figures in the field of engineering and technology to become a Royal Academy of Engineering fellow. Credit: Maggie Burton.

Professor Hancock has been recognised for his contributions to Computer Science, including working in the fields of computer vision and pattern recognition.

In response to the award, Professor Hancock said: “It is an immense honour to receive this award. This is a tremendously exciting time to be working in AI, Machine Learning and Computer Vision, and the Fellowship recognises the contributions we have been able to make to these fast-moving and societally important areas of engineering.

“York has provided me with a fantastically supportive environment to conduct the contributions recognised by the Fellowship. The award reflects not just on me, but also the University of York and the many outstanding individuals from all over the world I have had the pleasure to work with.”

Exceptional contributions

The Royal Academy of Engineering has elected 69 leading figures in the field of engineering and technology to its Fellowship. The group consists of 60 Fellows, four International Fellows and five Honorary Fellows, with each individual having made exceptional contributions to their sectors in their own way, as innovation leaders, inspiring role models, or through remarkable achievements in business or academia.

This year’s new Fellows reflect the Academy’s Fellowship Fit for the Future initiative, which aims to drive more nominations of outstanding engineers from under-represented groups ahead of its 50th anniversary in 2026.

The initiative strives for increased representation from women, disabled and LGBTQ+ engineers, those from minority ethnic backgrounds, non-traditional education pathways and emerging industries, and those who have achieved excellence at an earlier career stage than normal.

In joining the Fellowship, they will add their capabilities to the Academy’s mission to create a sustainable society and an inclusive economy for all.

Inclusive

Sir Jim McDonald, President of the Royal Academy of Engineering said: “Our Fellows represent the best of the best in the engineering world, and we welcome these 69 excellent and talented professionals to our community of business people, entrepreneurs, innovators and academics.

“This year’s new Fellows are the most diverse group elected in the history of our institution. The engineering profession has long suffered from a diversity shortfall and the Academy is committed to changing that, including by ensuring that our own Fellowship community is as inclusive as it can be.”