Professor Roy Harrison has been awarded the Fitzroy Prize of the Royal Meteorological Society for 2011 “for his outstanding work at the intersection of meteorology, atmospheric chemistry and environmental health”. The Prize is awarded biennially to members of the Society for distinguished work in applied meteorology.

Professor Harrison has made a significant contribution to the understanding of urban chemistry, environmental pollution, particulate matter and human health, both nationally and worldwide. He has advised and served on a number of committees including the Department of Health Committee on the Medical Effects of Air Pollutants, the DEFRA Air Quality Expert Group, the Natural Environment Research Council’s Atmospheric Science and Technology Board, the HEFCE RAE panel, the Medical Research Council Advisory Board, and the Natural Environment Research Council's Science & Innovation Strategy Board. He notably advised the World Health Organisation on their 2005 global air quality guidelines, and more recently on their 2011 indoor air quality guidelines.

He came to the University of Birmingham in 1991 to take up the newly created post of Queen Elizabeth II Birmingham Centenary Professor of Environmental Health, and in 2004 he was appointed OBE for services to environmental science in the New Year Honours List.

The awards and prizes will be presented at the Royal Meteorological Society’s Annual General Meeting to be held on 16th May 2012.