The title is a rare and prestigious award bestowed by the Sovereign to recognise exceptionally high quality research at an institution.

It is one of twelve being announced and is the first for Newcastle University. Only 14 have been granted since the reign of Queen Victoria, including a dozen to mark Her Majesty’s Diamond Jubilee. 

Celebrating research

Professor Louise Robinson, Director of the Newcastle University Institute for Ageing, said: “I am delighted that we are able to join in the celebrations for Her Majesty’s 90th birthday with this award of a Regius Professorship in Ageing to Newcastle University.

“It celebrates the increasingly important role of research into how we can help people age healthily and the breadth and depth of ageing-related research led by Newcastle University Institute for Ageing.”

John Penrose, the Minister for Constitution, will be visiting Manchester University to make the announcements and he said: “It is a privilege and an honour to announce these new Regius Professorships in recognition of the truly outstanding work of our universities and as a fitting tribute to mark Her Majesty’s 90th birthday.

"The twelve institutions can consider themselves truly deserving of this great honour.”

The Regius Professorship will be assigned to either an existing Professor or new appointment within the Institute of Ageing which responds to the challenges and opportunities presented by an ageing population.

World leader in ageing field

Newcastle University is a world leader in the field at its Campus for Ageing and Vitality which is supported by the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) Biomedical Research Centre and the location for a new £40m National Centre for Ageing Science and Innovation (NASI).

Chancellor of the Exchequer, George Osborne said: “I am passionate about promoting science and economic growth right across the country. That’s why I promised to push for prestigious new Regius Professorships not just in London and Oxbridge, but in other great centres of learning, including the Northern Powerhouse, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland. I’m delighted that promise is being honoured today.”

Jo Johnson, Minister for Universities and Science, added: “The success of our economy is underpinned by the exceptional science and research taking place in our world-leading universities up and down the country, and I’m delighted these 12 institutions have been recognised for their achievements. We’ll continue to make sure pioneering science is recognised and supported to help improve the lives of millions across the country and beyond.”

Announced in the government’s Productivity Plan in July, the new Regius Professorships will celebrate the increasingly important role of academic research in driving growth and improving productivity over the past 90 years.