A pioneer of research investigating the complex links between the environment and human health has been elected as a Fellow of the Royal Society. 

Professor Michael Depledge CBE, who set up the European Centre for Environment and Human Health in Truro and has spent a decade working at the Eden Project, said he was “deeply honoured” to be recognised with the prestigious accolade.

Mike follows in the footsteps of fellows including Stephen Hawking, Isaac Newton, Charles Darwin, Elizabeth Garrett Anderson and Albert Einstein. 

“Over more than 360 years, the society’s many eminent scientists have transformed our understanding of the world,” said Mike. “To be included among their ranks as the society goes forward is both humbling and exciting.”

Mike’s career spans over 45 years working on environment and human health issues at the highest level, including advising the European Union, the World Health Organisation and the United Nations Environment Programme. 

Having trained as a marine biologist, investigating chemical pollution in the sea, Mike broadened his approach to include medical toxicology. He has spent his career at world-leading universities, research institutes and hospitals, and is a founding board member of UK conservation agency Natural England and a former member of the Royal Commission on Environmental Pollution.

He served as the chief scientist of the Environment Agency of England and Wales for five years, and chaired the Science Advisory Group on Climate Change and the Environment for the European Commission. In 2010, he founded the EU-funded European Centre for Environment and Human Health – part of the University of Exeter, where he is now an Emeritus Professor.

As special advisor and chair of the Eden Project’s Science Advisory Panel since its inception, Mike has supported, advised and guided the senior Eden Project team over the last 10 years. 

“Mike has been a huge friend to Eden as we have developed our strategy for the engagement of science,” said Eden co-founder Sir Tim Smit. “His wonderful inclusive temperament, gift for friendship and mischievous spirit of enquiry have been a constant inspiration and encouragement for our creative interpretation teams. The influence of his thought can be seen in Eden projects everywhere.

“Mike’s desire is for science to be at the service of everyone and communicated so that we can all understand the wonder of the planet we live on, and thereby choose to protect it with all our might. We are all thrilled to bits that our dear friend and colleague has been recognised by the scientists and thinkers he himself so admires.”

University of Exeter Provost Professor Janice Kay described Mike as “the leading exponent on the value of the natural environment to human health and well-being”, adding: “Through his scholarship, leadership and organisational work, and by engaging with the public and politicians, Mike has helped to drive the transformation of our relationship with nature, thereby making a very important contribution to science and society.”

Founded by King Charles II in 1660, The Royal Society is a self-governing Fellowship of scientists with approximately 1,700 Fellows and Foreign Members, including around 85 Nobel Laureates.