Professor Francis Keenan has been awarded the RAS Service Award for his many distinguished contributions to astrophysics research and education. Professor Keenan has been a champion of astronomy throughout his decades-long research career, and has played a pivotal role engaging the wider public with astronomy through his extensive outreach activities. Professor Keenan has conducted world-leading research performing atomic physics calculations and applying this research to a diverse range of astrophysical environments. His work has been fundamental to calculating the atomic physics needed to interpret observed spectra from telescopes. He is passionate about encouraging the next generation to enter STEM careers as evidenced through his commitment to outreach and mentoring work.

Professor Keenan was also awarded an MBE for services to higher education in the 2025 New Year’s honours

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Professor Francis Keenan (left) and Dr Ryan Milligan (right).

Dr Ryan Milligan is awarded the James Dungey Lecture for his talent to communicate his research on complex solar physics topics. Dr Milligan has made significant contributions to our understanding of solar flares and the impact that the radiation from flares has on the Earth’s ionosphere. Dr Milligan uses multi-wavelength observations from space missions to study the fundamental physical processes that occur in solar flares. Much of his research has focussed on the important role that the solar chromosphere has in determining the flows of mass and energy during solar flares. Dr Milligan is a talented science communicator who has given public lectures to audiences of different backgrounds and ages, as well as contributing to television and radio shows.

School of Mathematics and Physics