Baroness Brown of Cambridge, Julia King DBE FREng FRS FMedSci

Julia King, Baroness Brown of Cambridge, is a celebrated engineer and Crossbench Peer. As Chair of the Lords Select Committee on Science & Technology, and Chair of the Carbon Trust, Julia has established herself as a leading voice in the drive to combat climate change.  

Julia’s engineering experience begun at a young age, when the constraints of post-war Britain necessitated make-do-and-mend fixes for her home electrical appliances. She went onto earn a first-class degree from the University of Cambridge in 1975, followed by a PhD in fracture mechanics a few years later.   

She forged her academic career soon after, specialising in industry-sponsored materials research. It was her research work with Rolls-Royce that eventually enabled Julia’s transition to industry, as she took on several senior management positions there – including Head of Materials. There, she played a vital role in the development of critical aircraft materials.  

Over her career, Julia developed a growing interest in climate change. As Vice Chancellor of Aston University, she championed impactful research frameworks. She later led the King Review on low-emissions transport.  

Her work has led her to several high-profile advisory positions in government, including committee memberships on the Committee on Climate Change, the Airports Commission, and the European Institute of Innovation & Technology. She has been a Royal Academy of Engineering Fellow since 1997.