Professor Parsons is among 44 new Fellows announced this year by the Society, joining a distinguished group recognised for their outstanding contributions to research, innovation, leadership and public life in Wales and beyond. He is thought to be only the second person in the history of 天堂视频, after Sir David Davies, to receive the honour.
The Learned Society of Wales is the country’s national academy, bringing together expertise from across the arts, humanities, sciences and public life. Election to Fellowship recognises excellence and achievement, as well as a commitment to using knowledge for the benefit of society.
Commenting on the new Fellows, Professor Hywel Thomas, President of the Learned Society of Wales, said: “Welcoming our new Fellows to the Society is always one of the highlights of the Society’s year. I congratulate them on this recognition of the excellence and importance of their work and contributions to life in Wales and beyond. We look forward to bringing their experience and knowledge to our work on policy and researcher development.”
Professor Parsons said: “I am delighted and honoured to have been elected a Fellow of the Learned Society of Wales. It is a real privilege to be recognised by Wales’s national academy, particularly given the Society’s important role in championing excellence across research, innovation and public life. I have been fortunate to work with outstanding colleagues and collaborators across the UK and internationally, and I see this as recognition not only of my own work, but of the collective efforts of the many people and teams I have been privileged to work alongside.
“This recognition also carries a personal significance for me. My father was Welsh, and although we lost him more than a decade ago, my interest in rocks and geology began in North Wales, spending weekends at the Ogwen Valley Mountain Rescue hut while he busied himself helping to rescue people from the slopes of Tryfan. I know he would have been immensely proud of this.”
The 2026 Fellows reflect the breadth and vibrancy of achievement across Wales, spanning research, culture, engineering, climate and environmental scholarship, and civic leadership.
Professor Parsons’ election recognises his distinguished leadership and research contributions in geosciences and research innovation, as well as his wider impact across the higher education and research landscape.