14 Facts About Sue Ion

Dame Susan Elizabeth Ion is a British engineer and an expert advisor on the nuclear power industry.

Sue Ion was elected a member of the National Academy of Engineering in 2012 for contributions to nuclear fuel development.

Sue Ion taught in an inner-city school in London while completing her doctorate and used supplies from the college laboratories in her lessons to help students become enthusiastic about the industry.

In 1979, Sue Ion was first hired as a technical officer at British Nuclear Fuels.

In 1992, she was promoted to Executive Director of Technology, a position Sue Ion held within the organisation until 2006.

Sue Ion helped advise Gordon Brown on long-term energy policies.

In 2004, Sue Ion was among 180 women invited to a "Women's Theme Day" luncheon at Buckingham Palace in recognition of her contributions to the field of science and technology.

Sue Ion was elected a Fellow of the Royal Academy of Engineering in 1996 and was a vice-president from 2002 to 2008.

In 2006, Sue Ion was appointed visiting professor of Imperial College and admitted to the Fellowship of the college in 2005.

Sue Ion has studied energy supplies for more than 30 years.

Sue Ion spent a lot of time early in her career advising government officials about nuclear reactors and countering the negativity caused by the incidents at Three Mile Island and Chernobyl.

Sue Ion has expressed concerns that some areas of the educational system still view engineering as a subject only for males.

Sue Ion married John Albert Ion in 1980 and lives in Leyland, Lancashire.

Sue Ion was appointed Officer of the Order of the British Empire in the 2002 New Year Honours, Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire in the 2010 New Year Honours and Dame Grand Cross of the Order of the British Empire in the 2022 Birthday Honours for services to engineering.