N.Z. scientist in top British post

Press, 25 August 1983, Page 15

N.Z. scientist in top British post

NZPA staff correspondent London Dr Harry Atkinson of New Zealand is director (science) of Britain’s Science and Engineering Research Council.

He will take up this top post with the council at the beginning of September, to be responsible for all its science activities and international affairs.

He also retains his previous responsibilities as director for astronomy, space, and nuclear physics, from promotion in 1979 to undersecretary.

Dr Atkinson was educated at Nelson College and the University of Canterbury, where he gained a master of science degree with firstclass honours. He was assistant director in physics at the univesity in 1952-53

before moving to the United States to become a research assistant at Cornell Universit.y- ..

He studied for three years at the Cavendish Laboratory, Cambridge University, gaining his Ph.D. in 1958. Later he was senior research fellow at the Atomic Energy Research Establishment before becoming head of the general physics group at the Rutherford Laboratory in 1961.

In 1972, he was seconded to Whitehall where he was on the staff of the Government’s chief scientific adviser in the Cabinet office, returning to head the council’s astronomy, space, and radio division in 1972. Dr Atkinson is vice-chair-man of the European Space Agency and represents Britain on the board of Anglo-Australian Telescope.