Tag: OBE

International energy leader honoured with OBE

Professor Mercedes Maroto-Valer, Heriot-Watt University’s Deputy Principal for Global Sustainability, has been awarded an Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) for services to Low Energy Technologies.

The honour was announced today (Dec 30) with the publication of the King’s New Year Honours List 2026, which recognises exceptional contributions made by individuals across the 15 Commonwealth realms.

An internationally recognised leader in energy innovation, Professor Maroto-Valer is Director of the UK Industrial Decarbonisation Research and Innovation Centre (IDRIC), based at Heriot-Watt University’s Edinburgh campus.

IDRIC plays a central role in supporting the green transformation of the UK’s industrial heartlands. Funded by UK Research and Innovation (UKRI), the national funding body for science and research, the centre brings together academia, industry and government to deliver practical solutions for economic growth to the country’s decarbonisation challenges at a scale that matters.

She also leads Heriot-Watt’s Research Centre for Carbon Solutions (RCCS ), a world-leading engineering centre, inspiring and delivering innovation for the wider deployment of technologies needed to meet carbon targets.

Professor Maroto-Valer was selected for the honour by King Charles III in recognition of her internationally respected leadership in energy and her remarkable contributions in low-energy technologies that reduce emissions while supporting long-term economic growth.

She said: “I am deeply humbled to receive this Honour. Addressing climate change is one of the defining challenges of our time, with low energy technologies representing not just an environmental necessity, but also an economic opportunity.

“This recognition reflects the collective efforts of the outstanding colleagues, partners and students I have had the privilege to work with in driving innovation, improving competitiveness, and ensuring a prosperous and sustainable transition to net zero.”

Professor Maroto-Valer is a globally recognised engineer whose work has helped shape the international response to climate change and supporting growth in a low-carbon global economy. Since 2022, she has led Heriot-Watt University’s sustainability strategy and goals, working closely with students, staff and alumni to embed sustainability across teaching, research and operations.

She also holds leading positions in a number of professional societies and editorial boards. These include her role on the UN Council of Engineers for the Energy Transition (CEET), a high-level, independent advisory council supporting the UN Secretary-General’s ambition to identify practical engineering pathways to net zero through expert scientific analysis and guidance.

Congratulating Professor Maroto-Valer, Heriot-Watt’s Principal and Vice-Chancellor, Professor Richard A. Williams, said: “This honour is richly deserved and reflects Professor Maroto-Valer’s exceptional leadership, global influence and unwavering commitment to tackling climate change.

“Her work exemplifies Heriot-Watt University’s mission to deliver research with real-world impact, and we are immensely proud of her contributions to engineering, sustainability and the global energy transition.”

Professor Maroto-Valer will formally receive her OBE at a ceremony in 2026.

 Leading environmental scientist celebrated at University of West of Scotland graduation

An environmental scientists and former broadcaster has been recognised as part of University of the West of Scotland’s (UWS) graduations.

Dr Hermione Cockburn, who was awarded an OBE in 2020 for services to public engagement in science, was celebrated as part of a ceremony taking place at Paisley Abbey last week (Wednesday 3 July).

Dr Cockburn began her career at the University of Edinburgh researching landscape change in Africa and Antarctica. She then completed a post doctorate at the University of Melbourne.

For the past 20 years, she has worked exclusively in science communication and presented television series like Coast, Rough Science, Fossil Detectives: Discovering Prehistoric Britain and The Nature of Britain for the BBC.

She has also presented Radio 4 documentaries on subjects ranging from lead pollution to lasers, as well as an award-winning series on bacteria.

Dr Cockburn taught environmental science for the Open University for many years and is passionate about life-long learning. Her most recent role as the Scientific Director at Dynamic Earth in Edinburgh saw her lead the charity’s mission that focuses on empowering people with understanding and empathy for the planet.

Recently, she led a major ocean literacy project about Scotland’s deep sea, collaborating closely with marine scientists from across the UK. She is a Trustee of the Association of Science and Discovery Centres, a fellow of The Royal Society of Edinburgh, and an honorary fellow of the Royal Scottish Geographical Society.

Professor Andrew Hursthouse delivered Dr Cockburn’s laureation speech, which touched on her inspirational career to date.

Discussing her Honorary Doctorate from UWS, Dr Cockburn said, “It’s an honour to receive this Honorary Doctorate.

“As someone who is passionate about science education and life-long learning, it’s been inspiring to be a part of the ceremony today and see so many graduates take the next step in that journey.”

Professor James Miller, Principal and Vice-Chancellor of UWS, said: “Graduation is the pinnacle of the University calendar. It gives us the opportunity to both reflect on the amazing achievements of our students and to celebrate this most important of milestones with their friends and families, as well as the whole UWS community who have supported them throughout their time at university.

“We are delighted to present Dr Hermione Cockburn with this Honorary Doctorate. We know she will be a role model not only to students studying scientific disciplines but also those who are keen to work in science engagement. Her commitment to encouraging life-long learning and environmental awareness is aligned to our own values here at the University.”

New Year Honours for Edinburgh’s ‘extraordinary people’

A community pharmacist, the driving force behind Spartans Community Football Academy, a voluntary sector leader and the founders of SiMBA and Street Soccer are among the Edinburgh folk to receive New Year Honours announced yesterday. Continue reading New Year Honours for Edinburgh’s ‘extraordinary people’