News

2025

Annual Research Symposium at German Embassy: The symposium was held on 19 September 2025 and kindly hosted by the German Ambassador to the United Kingdom at the German Embassy in London. The Annual General Meeting was held during the symposium. We especially thank Dr Hans-Josef Linkens, the First Counsellor for Science, and Christian Doktor, Deputy Ambassador for the hospitality, discussions and for the most enjoyable wine reception after the academic sessions.

Election of Association President: Dr Shannon A. Bonke (University of Cambridge) was elected President of the Association at the Annual General Meeting, following the completion of term for Prof Robert Vilain (St Hugh’s College, Oxford).

2024

Annual Research Symposium at King’s College London: The symposium was held on 13 September 2024 and kindly hosted by Prof Timothy Devinney (University of Manchester) at King’s Business School, King’s College London. The Annual General Meeting was held during the symposium. We thank Isabel Joswig of the Alexander von Humboldt Foundation for coming from Bonn, Germany to join the symposium.

Election of Honorary Secretary: Prof Justin Tumlinson (University of Exeter) was elected as Honorary Secretary at the Annual General Meeting on 13 September 2024. The Association sincerely thanks Prof Rainer Cramer (University of Reading) for his prior service in the role.

2023

Annual Research Symposium at St Hugh’s College Oxford: The symposium was held on 15 September 2023 and kindly hosted by Association President Prof Robert Vilain at St Hugh’s College Oxford. The Annual General Meeting was held during the symposium.

2022

Annual Research Symposium at University College London: The symposium was hosted on 16 September 2022 by Prof Feng Ryan Wang at University College London. The Annual General Meeting was held during the symposium.

Election of Association President: Prof Robert Vilain (St Hugh’s College, Oxford) was elected President of the Association, succeeding Prof James Wilton-Ely (Imperial College London), at the Annual General Meeting on 16 September 2022.

Election of Treasurer: Dr Andrew Johnson (University of Derby) was elected as Treasurer at the AGM as Prof John Baines (University of Oxford) stepped down from the role.

Special Thanks: The Association acknowledges its deep gratitude to Prof James Wilton-Ely (Imperial College London) for his exceptional service as Association President (2018-2022). He went beyond his remit and served beyond his expected time to ensure the continuance of the Association. He is one of the Association’s great figures.

2021

Annual Research Symposium hosted Online: The symposium was hosted online by Prof James Wilton-Ely on 17 September 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

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In Memoriam

Prof Mark Warner FRS

The late Professor Mark Warner FRS (26/01/1952 – 24/12/2021) was an integral and long-serving member of the Association and prominent theoretical physicist at the University of Cambridge. He was awarded the Alexander von Humboldt Research Prize in 2000. He also co-founded the national physics education programme, Isaac Physics. His obituary is published here and here by Corpus Christi College Cambridge.

Prof Gustav Born FRS

The late Professor Gustav Born (29/07/1921 – 16/04/2018) was a great friend of the UK AvH Association and renowned Professor of Pharmacology at King’s College London and Research Professor at the William Harvey Research Institute, Barts and The London School of Medicine and Dentistry. His obituary is published here.

Prof Brian Ketterer – UK Humboldt Association Founder

The late Professor Brian Ketterer (17/11/1930 – 27/01/2015) was the Founding President of the UK Alexander von Humboldt Association from 1996-1998 and Professor of Biochemistry at University College, London. The Association has written an obituary for him that is accessible here.