Julie WertzLord Kelvin Adam Smith PhD scholar Julie Wertz has been announced as the winner of the British Science Association's prestigious Jacob Bronowski Award Lecture for science and the arts.

The British Science Association Award Lectures have been presented since 1990 with the aim to recognise and promote the cutting-edge research being carried out in the UK by early-career scientists

The Jabob Bronowski Award Lecture was launched this year to celebrate cutting-edge work at the interface between the arts and sciences.

The award was presented in recognition of Julie’s research into textile dying.

Turkey Red

In the 18th and 19th centuries, the distinctive red hue of Turkey red dye drove a huge industry on a global scale. However, the secret to making the dye has never been deciphered. Julie’s research involves using historical texts and cutting-edge chemistry to unravel this age-old mystery.

Julie will now have the opportunity to present her Award Lecture during the British Science Festival in Bradford.

Julie’s lead supervisor Dr Anita Quye said: “I am delighted that this exciting collaborative research between the Centre for Textile Conservation in the School of Culture and Creative Arts and Dr David France in the School of Chemistry, with support by Lesley Richmond and the University of Glasgow Scottish Business Archive, has received such esteemed public recognition. I congratulate Julie on this outstanding achievement.”

First published: 21 July 2015

<< July