Professor Piers Forster elected as a Fellow of the Royal Society

Professor Piers Forster has been elected as a Fellow of the Royal Society (FRS), in recognition of his outstanding contribution to climate science.

Professor Forster is a Professor of Physical Climate Change at the University of Leeds. He has made major advances in understanding the causes of climate change and how the Earth responds to human influences.

His research has been central to quantifying the role of greenhouse gases and other drivers of global warming, helping to underpin international climate assessments and policy decisions.

He has played a leading role in the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), including serving as a Coordinating Lead Author on its most recent assessment reports and authoring the landmark 1.5°C report.

Since joining the University of Leeds in 2005, Professor Forster has combined world-leading research with leadership across science and policy. He is the founding Director of the Priestley Centre for Climate Futures and academic lead for the University’s Climate Plan, helping to drive climate action locally and globally.

Alongside his academic work, he has advised governments and industry and was appointed to the UK Climate Change Committee in 2018, serving as Interim Chair between 2023 and 2025. He also leads the Indicators of Global Climate Change initiative, which provides annual updates on how the climate is changing as a result of human activity.

Professor Forster said of his election:

I am honoured to be elected to the Royal Society, joining extraordinary scientists who have come before me, including my great grandfather! I am humbled by this personal recognition, but it reflects the collaborative efforts of the many colleagues I have been fortunate to work with throughout my career so far.

Understanding climate change and how to respond to it is one of the defining challenges of our time. I hope to continue contributing to the evidence base that supports effective climate action, both in the UK and globally.

His election follows further national recognition of his work, including being awarded a CBE in this year’s New Year Honours list for his services to tackling climate change.

Professor Forster joins more than 90 exceptional researchers from across the world elected to the Royal Society this year, spanning disciplines from climate to astronomy, cancer research, mathematics and biotechnology. The new Fellows include pioneers and leaders across a wide range of scientific fields, reflecting the breadth and impact of contemporary science.

Sir Paul Nurse, President of the Royal Society, said: “I am delighted to welcome this newest group of exceptional scientists to the Fellowship of the Royal Society.

“Their contributions reflect the highest standards of scientific endeavour. Whether advancing our understanding of vaccines or exploring the transformative potential of mathematics and computation, their work exemplifies the enduring value of curiosity, creativity and rigorous inquiry.”

The Fellowship of the Royal Society, founded in 1660, includes some of the most distinguished scientists in history, among them Isaac Newton, Charles Darwin, Albert Einstein and Stephen Hawking.