Professors Gideon Henderson and Tamsin Mather recognised in 2026 New Year Honours

The Department of Earth Sciences is delighted to announce that Professor Gideon Henderson and Professor Tamsin Mather have been acknowledged by His Majesty the King in the 2026 New Year Honours List, which recognises the achievements and service of extraordinary people across the UK. Professor Henderson has been appointed Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) for services to Science, and Professor Mather has been appointed Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) for services to Volcanology and to the Promotion of Science.

Gideon Henderson at the opening of the Carbon Garden at Kew

Professor Gideon Henderson joined the University of Oxford in 1999 and has been a Professor of Earth Sciences since 2006, also serving as Head of Department between 2013 and 2017. Prior to his appointment, he completed an undergraduate degree in Earth Sciences at Hertford College, Oxford, a PhD at St John’s College, Cambridge, and held postdoctoral research positions at the Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory of Columbia University. Throughout his career, Gideon has pioneered the use of geochemistry to understand a breadth of processes relating to climate, the ocean, and the carbon cycle. His world-leading research has transformed our understanding of surface Earth processes and their role in climate change, shedding light on sea-level changes, monsoon behaviours, and ocean circulation.

He co-founded the GEOTRACES programme, which revolutionised understanding of trace metal cycles in the oceans, and has led global efforts to explore carbon removal strategies such as enhanced rock weathering and ocean alkalinity enhancement. His contributions have earned him numerous honours, including election as a Fellow of the Royal Society in 2013.

Alongside a celebrated research career, Gideon has also played a pivotal role in shaping environmental policy through numerous advisory roles, including chairing the Met Office Science Advisory Committee, as a member of the Advisory Board for the UN Decade of Ocean Science, and acting as Chief Scientific Adviser for the UK Government Department of Environment, Food, and Rural Affairs (DEFRA)  between 2019 and 2025. His CBE recognises a career in which Gideon blends scientific innovation, leadership, and commitment to tackling global environmental challenges.

“I’m delighted to receive this honour both at a personal level and because it recognises the critical importance of scientific evidence in setting national policy for climate, biodiversity and our stewardship of the environment.”

- Professor Gideon Henderson CBE

Tamsin Mather at Volcán de Fuego in Guatemala

Professor Tamsin Mather joined the University of Oxford in 2006. She completed her undergraduate MSci in Chemistry and graduate degrees in History and Philosophy of Science (MPhil), and Earth Sciences (PhD) at the University of Cambridge. Before arriving at Oxford she was an intern at the Parliamentary Office of Science and Technology (POST) and a Royal Society Dorothy Hodgkin research fellow.  She was appointed Professor of Earth Sciences in 2014 and is currently a fellow of University College. Tamsin’s internationally recognised research investigates volcanoes and volcanic behaviour, combining fieldwork, satellite observations, and modelling to unravel the complex links between volcanism, atmospheric chemistry, the environment and climate. Her expertise spans a diverse skillset which allows her to tackle questions surrounding the role of volcanism as a local to planetary-scale driver of environmental change (and stasis) throughout Earth’s history in novel ways.

Her research has transformed our understanding of volcanic systems and their role in shaping the environment of Earth and other planets. She has pioneered approaches to track the dispersion and effects of volcanic gases and particles from eruption to atmosphere, and her work has shed light on the role of volcanism in past environmental crises, including mass extinctions. Through the Centre for Observation & Modelling of Earthquakes, Volcanoes & Tectonics (COMET) of which she was deputy director between 2013 and 2019 - she has advanced volcanic monitoring and hazard prediction, helping to safeguard communities worldwide. Her scientific achievements have earned her numerous accolades, including the Rosalind Franklin Award in 2018 and election as a Fellow of the Royal Society in 2024.

“I am very honoured to receive this recognition for my scientific work. I have been hugely privileged to work with some incredible colleagues throughout my career and across many disciplines and sectors. I am delighted to be able to use this opportunity to extend heartfelt thanks to them all and celebrate the important work they do, especially those working to manage crises in countries prone to volcanic hazards.”

- Professor Tamsin Mather OBE

Alongside her research, Tamsin is a passionate advocate for science communication and diversity in STEM. She has shared the excitement of Earth Sciences with the public through lectures, podcasts, media appearances, and her book Adventures in Volcanoland. She also sits on various advisory boards for UK government and more recently a venture capital fund focussed on promoting diversity and environmental solutions within its portfolio. She was the chair of the Volcanic and Magmatic Studies Group of Great Britain & Ireland from 2022 to 2025 and is currently the Associate Head of the MPLS division of the university for research and innovation. Her OBE recognises not only her groundbreaking contributions to volcanology but also her tireless efforts to inspire future generations and promote the value of science in society.

“I am delighted to see Gideon and Tamsin’s work is being recognised with New Years Honours. This recognition is testament not only to the quality of their scientific contributions over the years but also to the impact and relevance that their science has to broader society and government policy. They are inspirational colleagues and a reminder of the talent we have lucky enough to have within the department”

- Professor Conall Mac Niocaill, Head of Department

Many congratulations to Gideon and Tamsin on their incredible achievements.