A leading forensic soil scientist from The James Hutton Institute, has been conferred the honour of Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire (DBE) in the New Year Honours List.
Professor Lorna Dawson, Head of the Centre for Forensic Soil Science at the Hutton, was recommended for the award by His Majesty the King for her services to innovations in soil and forensic science.
An internationally renowned soil scientist, Professor Dawson has over 35 years of experience in managing and conducting research in soil and plant interactions, particularly their application in the criminal justice system.
She has reported and advised on over 200 criminal cases and written over 150 Expert Witness reports, both in the UK and abroad. Additionally, she has presented evidence in more than 25 cases, including the World’s End murders and the Sheku Bayoh Public Inquiry.
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Professor Dawson has previously been awarded a Commander of the British Empire, having been named in the Queen’s Birthday Honours list in June 2018. She has also received a Special Recognition award at the 2017 Pride of Britain awards ceremony and is a fellow of the Royal Society of Arts, the Royal Society of Edinburgh, the Royal Royal Scottish Geographical Society, the British Society of Soil Science and the Royal Society of Biology.
Professor Dawson said: “I am deeply honoured and immensely humbled to be recognised with a Damehood in His Majesty the King’s New Year 2026 Honours List. This award reflects the extraordinary contributions of the Centre for Forensic Soil Science at the James Hutton Institute and the many dedicated collaborators who work with us.
“Soil science may seem an unsung discipline, but its applications — from underpinning sustainable land management, producing safe, nutritious food, to providing robust scientific evidence that supports the criminal justice system — make a real difference to society in the UK and across the world. I am grateful for the support of my family, my professional networks, and the wider scientific, policy, policing and legal communities, whose collective passion and expertise have made this pioneering work possible.”
The other north-east people recognised in New Year Honours 2026 include:
- Peter Bruce. Chief Executive Officer, Entier. For services to the Catering Industry and to Charity. (Turriff, Aberdeenshire) – CBE
- Professor Rhona Hunter Flin. Emeritus Professor of Applied Psychology, University of Aberdeen, Professor of Industrial Psychology, Robert Gordon University and Academic Advisor, Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh. For services to Research. (Aberdeen, Aberdeen) – CBE
- Dr Sylvia Halkerston. Lord Dean of Guild of the Burgesses of Guild of the City of Aberdeen. For services to Education and to Young People. (Aberdeen, Aberdeen) – OBE
- Professor Zosia Miedzybrodzka. Service Clinical Director, Genetics, NHS Grampian and Professor of Medical Genetics, University of Aberdeen. For services to Medical Genetics and Research. (Inverurie, Aberdeenshire) – OBE
- Professor Angus James Mackintosh Watson. Clinical Lead, The Scottish Capsule Programme and Clinical Chair of Surgery, University of Aberdeen. For services to Research and Surgical Care. (Inverness, Inverness-shire) – OBE
- Claire Bruce. Lately Chair of VisitAberdeenshire. For services to Tourism in the North East of Scotland. (Aberdeenshire) – MBE
- James Buchan. Chief Executive Officer, Scottish Seafood Association. For services to the Scottish Seafood Industry. (Peterhead, Aberdeenshire) – MBE
- Paul Joseph Higson. Project Manager and Volunteer. For services to the Built Heritage of Scotland. (Aboyne, Aberdeenshire) – MBE
- David Reid. Volunteer, REMAP. For services to People with Disabilities. (Insch, Aberdeenshire) – MBE
- Michael Scott. Board Member, Osprey Housing, Board Member, SCARF and Board Member, Aberdeen Heat and Power. For Public Service. (Aberdeen, Aberdeen) – MBE
- Adele Suzanne Steel. For services to Girlguiding. (Inverurie, Aberdeenshire) – MBE
- Alexander William Dalgarno. Owner, Pittenderich Forest. For services to Tourism in the North East of Scotland. (Aberdeen, Aberdeen) – MBE
- Alison Rosalind Milne. Highland Dance Teacher. For services to Highland Dancing. (Huntly, Aberdeenshire) – BEM
- Stewart Thomas Norris. Squadron Leader, Commanding 875 (Westhill) Squadron RAF Air Cadets. For services to Young People in Aberdeenshire. (Westhill, Aberdeenshire) – BEM
