Dr Chris Clack

The university’s highest degree is awarded for distinction in the advancement of science, and is conferred on scientists with a proven record of internationally recognised scholarship, including substantial and sustained contributions to scientific knowledge.

Dr Clack, who received his award at a ceremony in Cambridge on 24 October, said: “I am clearly delighted – this is a great honour, and I am grateful to the University of Cambridge and the Computer Laboratory."

“Although my entire research career has been at UCL, I still hold the University of Cambridge, and especially Queens’ College, my alma mater, in high regard and with affection."

“I am proud to be joining a distinguished small club of holders of the ScD degree, including those who have been an inspiration to my work, such as former President of Queens’ College the Revd. Dr John Polkinghorne KBE FRS.”

This award recognises Dr. Clack's contribution to Computer Science in a research career spanning 25 years at UCL. In the 1980s Clack was involved in the building of the world's first parallel graph reduction computer system made from stock hardware, and is more recently known for his contributions to genetic and evolutionary computing in finance.

In 2009 Dr Clack has secured funding from industry, the Economic and Social Research Council, the Natural Environment Research Council, and the Technology Strategy Board to launch a national Knowledge Transfer Network for financial services.