Edith Heard, incoming Director of the Crick, has been recognised in the King’s Birthday Honours List and is to become a Companion of the Order of St Michael and St George for her services to science and UK-France relations.

This order recognises prominent and highly distinguished contributions overseas and in international affairs, for example exceptional service in senior international roles.

Over the course of her career, Edith has held a number of positions at international research institutions, including the Institut Pasteur and Cold Spring Harbor. In 2001, she set up her own group at the Institut Curie and went on to become the director of the Genetics and Developmental Biology department. From 2019-2025, she led EMBL as Director General, overseeing the creation of an ambitious scientific programme for the organisation’s member states. Edith has also been a Professor at the Collège de France since 2012.

Edith will start as the Crick’s new Director in September.

On receiving the honour, Edith said:

I am incredibly proud to receive this recognition, not just for what it means to me personally, but because it highlights the power and importance of working across nations. I was educated and raised in the UK, spent much of my career in France and most recently led Europe’s unique life science research organisation, EMBL representing 30 countries. 

Science is, at its heart, an international endeavour, transcending borders, languages, and politics. Our continued progress depends on connecting the collective effort of many minds across the globe. I’ve been fortunate to work with and learn from brilliant people in many different countries, and this recognition reflects not just my own achievements, but what we have achieved together.

Paul Nurse, Director of the Crick, said: 

Many congratulations to Edith for this much deserved honour. It is a fitting recognition for years of excellence in global scientific leadership. Her work leading and bringing together scientists from across Europe will help further the Crick’s ethos of discovery without boundaries, as the institute continues to evolve and grow.