Eric Ash
Encyclopedia
Sir Eric Albert Ash, CBE
(born 31 January 1928) is a distinguished German-born British electrical engineer and past Rector of Imperial College
.
Born in Berlin, Ash emigrated with his family to Britain in 1938 to escape Nazism
. Educated at the independent University College School
, he won a scholarship to Imperial College London
aged 17, and after graduating in electrical engineering, he continued his studies with doctoral research. His Ph.D.
supervisor was Dennis Gabor
, a Nobel Prize
-winning physicist, and his thesis was published as Electron Interaction Effects (1952). He worked on microwave tubes as a Fulbright scholar
at Stanford University
for two years, before returning to the UK with his American wife, Clare, to continue this work at the Standard Telecommunications Laboratory (now Nortel
) in London.
He joined the Department of Electronic and Electrical Engineering at University College London
(UCL) in 1963, became a full Professor
in 1967 and was appointed Head of Department, and holder of the Pender Chair
, in 1980. He was elected a Fellow of the Royal Society
on 17 March 1977, and was awarded its Clifford Paterson medal shortly afterwards. He worked on problems in physical electronics, ultrasonic signal processing and imaging. He won the Marconi Prize
in 1984 "for leadership in electronic technology, including surface acoustic wave
devices and optical fibre communications". He won the Royal Society Royal Medal
in 1986, in "recognition of his outstanding researches on acoustic microscopy
leading to wholly new techniques and substantial improvements in resolution of acoustic microscopes". He also won the Institution of Electrical Engineers
(IEE, now IET
) Faraday Medal
. He is also a Senior Member and Life Fellow of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers
(an organisation based in the United States that complements the IET).
He became Rector of Imperial College in 1985. He sat on the board of British Telecom as a non-executive director
from 1987–1993. In 1988 he was President of the IEE for one year.
After retiring as Rector 1993 he was an emeritus Professor in the Department of Physics at UCL, 1993–1998, working on educational technology
. He acted as CEO
of the Student Loans Company 1994–1996, remaining a non-executive director of the company until the end of August 2000. He was Treasurer and Vice-President of the Royal Society
1997-2002. He has also served as a trustee of a number of other organisations including the Afghan Educational Trust, the Dennis Rosen Memorial Trust, the Royal Institution
, the Science Museum (London)
and the Wolfson Foundation
. He is a member of the Advisory Council of the Campaign for Science and Engineering
.
Order of the British Empire
The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire is an order of chivalry established on 4 June 1917 by George V of the United Kingdom. The Order comprises five classes in civil and military divisions...
(born 31 January 1928) is a distinguished German-born British electrical engineer and past Rector of Imperial College
Rector of Imperial College
The Rector of Imperial College is the highest academic official of Imperial College London. The Rector is the chief executive, elected by the Council of the college and Chairman of the Senate. The position is currently head on an interim basis by Keith O'Nions after the resignation of Roy Anderson...
.
Born in Berlin, Ash emigrated with his family to Britain in 1938 to escape Nazism
Nazism
Nazism, the common short form name of National Socialism was the ideology and practice of the Nazi Party and of Nazi Germany...
. Educated at the independent University College School
University College School
University College School, generally known as UCS, is an Independent school charity situated in Hampstead, north west London, England. The school was founded in 1830 by University College London and inherited many of that institution's progressive and secular views...
, he won a scholarship to Imperial College London
Imperial College London
Imperial College London is a public research university located in London, United Kingdom, specialising in science, engineering, business and medicine...
aged 17, and after graduating in electrical engineering, he continued his studies with doctoral research. His Ph.D.
Ph.D.
A Ph.D. is a Doctor of Philosophy, an academic degree.Ph.D. may also refer to:* Ph.D. , a 1980s British group*Piled Higher and Deeper, a web comic strip*PhD: Phantasy Degree, a Korean comic series* PhD Docbook renderer, an XML renderer...
supervisor was Dennis Gabor
Dennis Gabor
Dennis Gabor CBE, FRS was a Hungarian-British electrical engineer and inventor, most notable for inventing holography, for which he later received the 1971 Nobel Prize in Physics....
, a Nobel Prize
Nobel Prize in Physics
The Nobel Prize in Physics is awarded once a year by the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences. It is one of the five Nobel Prizes established by the will of Alfred Nobel in 1895 and awarded since 1901; the others are the Nobel Prize in Chemistry, Nobel Prize in Literature, Nobel Peace Prize, and...
-winning physicist, and his thesis was published as Electron Interaction Effects (1952). He worked on microwave tubes as a Fulbright scholar
Fulbright Program
The Fulbright Program, including the Fulbright-Hays Program, is a program of competitive, merit-based grants for international educational exchange for students, scholars, teachers, professionals, scientists and artists, founded by United States Senator J. William Fulbright in 1946. Under the...
at Stanford University
Stanford University
The Leland Stanford Junior University, commonly referred to as Stanford University or Stanford, is a private research university on an campus located near Palo Alto, California. It is situated in the northwestern Santa Clara Valley on the San Francisco Peninsula, approximately northwest of San...
for two years, before returning to the UK with his American wife, Clare, to continue this work at the Standard Telecommunications Laboratory (now Nortel
Nortel
Nortel Networks Corporation, formerly known as Northern Telecom Limited and sometimes known simply as Nortel, was a multinational telecommunications equipment manufacturer headquartered in Mississauga, Ontario, Canada...
) in London.
He joined the Department of Electronic and Electrical Engineering at University College London
University College London
University College London is a public research university located in London, United Kingdom and the oldest and largest constituent college of the federal University of London...
(UCL) in 1963, became a full Professor
Professor
A professor is a scholarly teacher; the precise meaning of the term varies by country. Literally, professor derives from Latin as a "person who professes" being usually an expert in arts or sciences; a teacher of high rank...
in 1967 and was appointed Head of Department, and holder of the Pender Chair
Pender Chair
The Pender Chair is the post that is generally held by the head of the Department of Electronic and Electrical Engineering of University College London....
, in 1980. He was elected a Fellow of the Royal Society
Royal Society
The Royal Society of London for Improving Natural Knowledge, known simply as the Royal Society, is a learned society for science, and is possibly the oldest such society in existence. Founded in November 1660, it was granted a Royal Charter by King Charles II as the "Royal Society of London"...
on 17 March 1977, and was awarded its Clifford Paterson medal shortly afterwards. He worked on problems in physical electronics, ultrasonic signal processing and imaging. He won the Marconi Prize
Marconi Prize
The Marconi Prize is an annual award by The Marconi Society, which recognizes advancements in information technology and communications. The Prize includes a $100,000 honorarium and a work of sculpture, and honorees are called Marconi Fellows...
in 1984 "for leadership in electronic technology, including surface acoustic wave
Surface acoustic wave
]A surface acoustic wave is an acoustic wave traveling along the surface of a material exhibiting elasticity, with an amplitude that typically decays exponentially with depth into the substrate.-Discovery:...
devices and optical fibre communications". He won the Royal Society Royal Medal
Royal Medal
The Royal Medal, also known as The Queen's Medal, is a silver-gilt medal awarded each year by the Royal Society, two for "the most important contributions to the advancement of natural knowledge" and one for "distinguished contributions in the applied sciences" made within the Commonwealth of...
in 1986, in "recognition of his outstanding researches on acoustic microscopy
Microscopy
Microscopy is the technical field of using microscopes to view samples and objects that cannot be seen with the unaided eye...
leading to wholly new techniques and substantial improvements in resolution of acoustic microscopes". He also won the Institution of Electrical Engineers
Institution of Electrical Engineers
The Institution of Electrical Engineers was a British professional organisation of electronics, electrical, manufacturing, and Information Technology professionals, especially electrical engineers. The I.E.E...
(IEE, now IET
IET
IET can mean any of the following:*Impulse excitation technique*Institution of Engineering and Technology...
) Faraday Medal
Faraday Medal
The Faraday Medal is a medal awarded by the Institution of Electrical Engineers The bronze medal is awarded without restriction as regards nationality, country of...
. He is also a Senior Member and Life Fellow of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers
Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers
The Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers is a non-profit professional association headquartered in New York City that is dedicated to advancing technological innovation and excellence...
(an organisation based in the United States that complements the IET).
He became Rector of Imperial College in 1985. He sat on the board of British Telecom as a non-executive director
Non-executive director
A non-executive director or outside director is a member of the board of directors of a company who does not form part of the executive management team. He or she is not an employee of the company or affiliated with it in any other way...
from 1987–1993. In 1988 he was President of the IEE for one year.
After retiring as Rector 1993 he was an emeritus Professor in the Department of Physics at UCL, 1993–1998, working on educational technology
Educational technology
Educational technology is the study and ethical practice of facilitating learning and improving performance by creating, using and managing appropriate technological processes and resources." The term educational technology is often associated with, and encompasses, instructional theory and...
. He acted as CEO
Chief executive officer
A chief executive officer , managing director , Executive Director for non-profit organizations, or chief executive is the highest-ranking corporate officer or administrator in charge of total management of an organization...
of the Student Loans Company 1994–1996, remaining a non-executive director of the company until the end of August 2000. He was Treasurer and Vice-President of the Royal Society
Royal Society
The Royal Society of London for Improving Natural Knowledge, known simply as the Royal Society, is a learned society for science, and is possibly the oldest such society in existence. Founded in November 1660, it was granted a Royal Charter by King Charles II as the "Royal Society of London"...
1997-2002. He has also served as a trustee of a number of other organisations including the Afghan Educational Trust, the Dennis Rosen Memorial Trust, the Royal Institution
Royal Institution
The Royal Institution of Great Britain is an organization devoted to scientific education and research, based in London.-Overview:...
, the Science Museum (London)
Science Museum (London)
The Science Museum is one of the three major museums on Exhibition Road, South Kensington, London in the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea. It is part of the National Museum of Science and Industry. The museum is a major London tourist attraction....
and the Wolfson Foundation
Wolfson Foundation
The Wolfson Foundation is a charity that awards grants to support excellence in the fields of science and medicine, health, education and the arts & humanities.- Overview :...
. He is a member of the Advisory Council of the Campaign for Science and Engineering
Campaign for Science and Engineering
The Campaign for Science and Engineering is a non-profit organization which promotes science and engineering in the UK. It focuses on arguing for more research funding, promoting a high-tech and knowledge-based economy, highlighting the need for top-quality science and maths education at all...
.