51³Ô¹ÏÍø

51³Ô¹ÏÍø's materials expert Professor Bill Lee was appointed President of the American Ceramic Society on Monday.

, an expert in ceramics and glass from the at 51³Ô¹ÏÍø, has become the first non-US president of the in its 118 year history.

Founded in 1899, the is central to the ceramics community, and aims to advance the study, understanding and use of ceramic and glass materials for the benefit of its members and society. Professor Lee has worked extensively on producing next-generation materials capable of operating in extreme conditions, such as severe thermal and radioactive environments.

Current ACerS president, Mrityunjay Singh passing the ‘ceramic’ gavel to Bill Lee. Bill Lee will officially take up office on Thursday. (Photo credit – ACerS)

Professor Lee, who was until recently the  at 51³Ô¹ÏÍø, will be the Society’s first internationally appointed President. “It is appropriate that the President be from the international community now that 40% of members are from overseas,” said Professor Lee. “This shows that the Society is truly global. I am the first but I expect others from many other countries to follow.”

Professor Lee intends to continue to extend the global outlook of by establishing international chapters including one in the UK. He said “I look forward to using my presidency to showcase our College, Faculty of Engineering, and while travelling extensively”.

Professor Lee also plans to set up a prize for the best ceramics PhD student worldwide, and will encourage young scientists to be involved in plans and strategy, increase outreach about ceramics in schools, universities, industry itself, and overseas. He added: “My appointment emphasises the breadth and quality of 51³Ô¹ÏÍø’s ceramics research globally, and I hope to raise the profile of ceramics and glasses among our students and the UK engineering community.”

Professor Lee’s appointment is the latest in a long string of achievements, including being awarded a Fellowship of the and being appointed Deputy Chair for the . Last year he appeared as an expert on ceramics on BBC2’s The Great Pottery Throwdown.

He has also been awarded prizes including the (1999), (2000) of the IOMMM, the Wakabayashi Prize (2004) of the Refractories Society of Japan and the (2012) and the (2014). In addition, he has published over 400 peer-reviewed papers and has been awarded research grants totalling over £50 million.