Inspirational environmental scientist returns to the University of Leicester to collect an honorary award

An environmental scientist and champion of women in science, technology, engineering and maths has been honoured upon her return to the University of Leicester.

After graduating from Leicester with a BSc in Geology in 1970, Professor Lynne Frostick CBE forged a reputation as a leading expert in flood risk and coastal erosion management, while enjoying a successful career in research and teaching.

She had responsibility for England’s flood and coastal risk management during her time as an Environment Agency board member, between 2015 and 2022. She is also a former president of the Geological Society and chair of the British Society for Geomorphology. 

Today (Thursday 15 January), Professor Frostick returned to Leicester to receive an honorary Doctorate of Science at a graduation ceremony held at De Montfort Hall.

She said: “I am very proud of this award. Leicester gave me a great start in my academic life and I will always be grateful for the care and support I received from the staff – particularly my tutor professor Aftab Khan. I made friends at Leicester that have stayed with me for life.”

Educated at Dartford Grammar School, Professor Frostick completed a PhD at the University of East Anglia after graduating from the University of Leicester.

Her academic career began at Birkbeck before progressing to senior lecturer positions at first Royal Holloway and then the University of Reading. In 1996 she was appointed professor of physical geography at the University of Hull where she is now emerita professor, following retirement.

During her time at Hull, Professor Frostick served as research director and deputy dean of the Science and Environment Faculty, as pro-vice-chancellor for enterprise, as director of the Hull Environment Research Institute and as director of the Centre for Adaptive Science.

Much of Professor Frostick’s research has concentrated on flood risk and coastal erosion management. By capturing data from the marine and aquatic environment she was able to refine physical, statistical and mathematical modelling that could be used to predict and address the risk of erosion and flooding.

Throughout her career, Professor Frostick has served tirelessly on many boards and committees with a particular emphasis on moves to increase female representation within STEM (science, technology, engineering and maths). She chaired the Government’s Expert Group for Women in STEM, and sat on the Government’s STEM Careers Expert Group, the Science Council, the BIS Equalities Advisory Group, and the Equality and Diversity Advisory Panel for REF.

Her numerous awards and achievements include the Royal Geographical Society’s Cuthbert Peek award in 2005, a Woman of Outstanding Achievement award in 2009, the British Society for Geomorphology’s David Linton Medal in

2021 and the Geological Society’s Lyell Medal in 2024. She was awarded a CBE in 2022.

President and Vice-Chancellor of the University of Leicester, Professor Sir Nishan Canagarajah, said: “Today has been a very special occasion, where the University of Leicester has been able to recognise the achievements of one of its outstanding graduates.

“Professor Frostick has enjoyed an exemplary career, while seeking to use her position to influence and further the cause of women in STEM. She’s an inspiration to every student here at Leicester and a true Citizen of Change.”