A PROFESSOR from the University of York has been elected a fellow of the oldest scientific academy in continuous existence.

Professor Lucy Carpenter, from the department of chemistry, has been elected to the Royal Society, a fellowship of many of the world's most eminent scientists, engineers and technologists.

It has a history stretching back to the 1660s and elects up to 52 fellows every year.

Professor Carpenter conducts world-leading research on the emissions, chemistry and impact of processes occurring in the atmosphere above the world's oceans and her work is informing global policy to repair the ozone hole.

She said: "I'm hugely honoured to be elected, as well as surprised.

"Of course, a successful research career relies as much, or more, on collaboration, support and friendship from colleagues, as it does on the individual and I'm lucky to have experienced a lot of that in my life as an academic.

"I'd like to thank those who proposed me for the fellowship and the students and colleagues who have worked with me over the last 20 years or so."