RGU emeritus professor honoured with an OBE for services to education

Professor Henry Ellington has received the OBE for his services to education and staff development throughout his distinguished academic career. 

Professor Ellington has worked in academia since 1963 after graduating from the University of Aberdeen with a degree in natural philosophy and a subsequent PhD in plasma physics. He joined RGU in 1966 as a lecturer in physics at the time it was known as the Robert Gordon Institute of Technology (RGIT).  

In 1973, Professor Ellington was appointed as head of educational development at RGIT, a position he held until his retirement from RGU in 2001.  During this time, he established and led a team which was renowned for the development, application and education of science and education-based educational games and simulation. He also played a key role in the development of problem-based learning at the University and its introduction and delivery of distance learning. He has published widely with over 350 publications in the areas of educational development and is the author of 20 books. 

Professor Steve Olivier, Principal of RGU, says: “Henry has dedicated his entire career to the education of others and I am delighted he has been recognised in this way. His OBE is a fitting honour for his work in academic and curriculum development throughout his long and distinguished services to education.” 

Image caption: Emeritus Professor Henry Ellington, OBE, BSc, PhD, DLitt, CPhys, FInstP. Holding ‘History of RGU’ written after retiring in 2001, and ‘The Nature of Reality’ written 18 years later during the COVID lockdown.