Vivienne Mary Hunt Parry OBE (born Vivienne Mary Hunt Mills on 4 June 1956[1] in Portsmouth) is a British science journalist and author, currently[when?] employed as head of engagement at Genomics England.[2] She is most well known for presenting BBC Television science programme Tomorrow's World and Panorama. She is also a regular contributor to The Guardian newspaper's online presence.[3][4]
Vivienne Parry | |
|---|---|
| Born | Vivienne Mary Hunt Mills 4 June 1956 Portsmouth, England, UK |
| Education | St Swithun's School, Winchester |
| Alma mater | Bedford College, London University College London |
| Awards | Suffrage Science award (2011) |
| Website | www |
Early life
editParry was educated at St Swithun's School, Winchester, an independent girls' school.[1] She studied Zoology at Bedford College, London graduating with a Bachelor of Science degree in 1978,[5] majoring in immunology and genetics which she took at University College London.[1]
Career
editHer first job was as National Organiser of the mother and baby charity Birthright, the appeal arm of the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists from 1979 to 1994. She worked closely with the charity's Patron, the Princess of Wales, for 12 years.[6]
She briefly served as a trustee of the Princess of Wales Memorial Fund.[7]
She also served as vice chairman of council of University College London[8] and was also a member of Council of the Medical Research Council[9] since 2009. In September 2017, she was appointed to the board of UK Research and Innovation (UKRI).[10]
In 1994, she became a presenter of the BBC TV science programme Tomorrow's World and also reported for Panorama. She left the programme in 1997.[1]
Parry has presented a number of science-based radio shows, including most notably all eight series of Am I normal?[11][12] and Inside the Ethics Committee. She also presents and writes many other radio programs, including programs for the BBC World Service and BBC Radio 3.
Publications
editHer book The Truth About Hormones, published in January 2009, was nominated for the 2006 Aventis Science Prize, now called the Royal Society Prizes for Science Books. Other publications include:
Awards and honours
editParry received an Honorary Doctorate from Heriot-Watt University in 2012 [15] She won the Suffrage Science award in 2011.[16]
Parry was appointed Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) in the 2011 New Year Honours for services to the public understanding of science.[6][17]
Personal life
editShe married Paul Parry in 1978 in Hampshire.[1] They divorced in 2007 and have two sons. She married Tim Joss in 2012, who died in March 2024. [1]
References
edit- ^ a b c d e f Anon (2017). "Parry, Vivienne Mary Hunt". Who's Who (online Oxford University Press ed.). Oxford: A & C Black. doi:10.1093/ww/9780199540884.013.U245349. (Subscription or UK public library membership required.)
- ^ "Official website" (PDF). www.vparry.co.uk. Retrieved 25 November 2020.
- ^ "Biography".
- ^ "Vivienne Parry | The Guardian". the Guardian.
- ^ "UCL launches sector-specific professional networking events". UCL News. 12 March 2009.
- ^ a b "New Year Honours: Astronaut Piers Sellers becomes OBE". BBC News. 31 December 2010. Retrieved 30 October 2011.
- ^ "Diana fund to set up new Web site and US office". BBC News. 22 February 1998. Retrieved 30 October 2011.
- ^ "UCL Council - Ms Vivienne Parry, OBE (Vice Chair)". Retrieved 30 October 2011.
- ^ "Medical Research Council - Membership". Retrieved 30 October 2011.
- ^ "UKRI Board – UKRI". UKRI – UK Research and Innovation. 13 November 2019. Retrieved 25 November 2020.
- ^ "BBC - Radio 4 - Am I Normal?". www.bbc.co.uk.
- ^ "BBC - Radio 4 - Am I Normal? - Series 6". www.bbc.co.uk.
- ^ ISBN 978-1-84354-429-6, published January 2009 by Atlantic Books
- ^ 10 May 1996, ISBN 978-0-330-33285-9, Pan Books
- ^ "Higgs Boson Scientist Awarded Heriot-Watt honorary degree". Heriot-Watt University. Retrieved 29 March 2016.
- ^ "UCL scientists to be recognised at Suffrage Science event". UCL News. 28 February 2013.
- ^ "No. 59647". The London Gazette (Supplement). 31 December 2010. p. 12.