The Chief Scientist of The Alan Turing Institute was recognised as part of University of the West of Scotland’s winter graduations.

Professor Mark Girolami, who is also a UWS alumni, was celebrated as part of a ceremony taking place at Paisley Abbey today (Thursday 14 November).

Mark is an engineer and data scientist. He has held the Sir Kirby Laing Professorship of Civil Engineering in the Department of Engineering at the University of Cambridge since 2019, where he also holds the Royal Academy of Engineering Research Chair in Data Centric Engineering. He has been the chief scientist of the Alan Turing Institute since 2021. 

A UWS alumni, Mark undertook a PhD in statistical signal processing whilst working at the then University of Paisley. 

Professor Gordon Morison, Dean of the School of Computing, Engineering and Physical Sciences at UWS, delivered Mark’s laureation, which reflected on his impressive career in engineering.

Discussing his Honorary Doctorate from UWS, Mark Girolami said: “I’m absolutely thrilled to receive this award from UWS, particularly as I have strong ties to Paisley, after spending time both working and studying for a PhD in computer science at the institution. It has been fantastic to be part of today’s graduation and hear the inspiring success stories of UWS’s students – the next generation of engineers and scientists.”

It has been fantastic to be part of today’s graduation and hear the inspiring success stories of UWS’s students – the next generation of engineers and scientists.

Mark Girolami

Professor James Miller, Principal and Vice-Chancellor of UWS, said: “Graduation is the most important event in our University calendar, giving us the opportunity to showcase the fantastic achievements of our students and celebrate each and every one of their successes amongst their families and peers. 

As part of the ceremony, we were delighted to present Mark Girolami with this Honorary Doctorate. A friend of UWS, it was wonderful to hear about his impressive career in engineering and I know that many of our students graduating today will have been inspired by the impact he has made in his field.

Professor James Miller, Principal and Vice-Chancellor of UWS