Royal Academy of Engineering appoints first female president

Professor Dame Ann Dowling, world authority on noise and acoustics, will take up the post in September

Academy's new female president: Professor Dame Ann Dowling

The Royal Academy of Engineering has elected Professor Dame Ann Dowling as its first female president.

Professor Dowling is the head of the department of engineering at the University of Cambridge, and a world authority on combustion and acoustics. She is expected to take up the post in September, for a five-year term.

Sir John Parker, the current Academy president, said: “I am delighted that Dame Ann has been nominated for election as the next President of this Academy. Her wide research and policy expertise and her leadership of the engineering department of one of the world's top universities will be a great asset to the Academy in the years to come.”

Dame Ann commented: “I am honoured to be nominated for election as President of the UK's national academy of engineering at a crucial time when it is generally acknowledged that many more engineers will be required to help the country benefit from the knowledge economy of the future. The world faces some enormous challenges, including clean energy, resilient infrastructure, water and food supply, and engineers have a crucial role in addressing these issues.”

Dame Ann started her career as a mathematician but opted to pursue applied mathematics and she carried out a PhD in aircraft noise at the University of Cambridge.

Dowling now leads research on efficient, low emission combustion for aero and industrial gas turbines and low noise vehicles, particularly aircraft and cars.

• Read about Professor Ann Dowling's glittering career