The University of Nottingham's Professor Sir Jonathan Van-Tam is being honoured with an award from the prestigious Royal Society for his work during the coronavirus pandemic. The professor has described the award as a "huge honour" after having also been knighted and given the Freedom of the Borough award for his home town of Boston in Lincolnshire.
Professor Van-Tam serves as the Pro-Vice Chancellor for the Faculty of Medicine and Sciences at Nottingham, but rose to national attention for his work as the UK Deputy Chief Medical Officer during the pandemic. His unique communication style during the regular Downing Street press conferences are among the reasons why the Royal Society has chosen to honour Professor Van-Tam.
The Royal Society was founded in the 17th century and serves as the UK's independent scientific academy, holding the title of the world's oldest scientific academy in continuous existence. Professor Van-Tam will be receiving the society's Attenborough Award and Lecture, awarded annually for outstanding public engagement in science.
