George Ellis, Emeritus Distinguished Professor of Complex Systems, has been elected a Fellow of the Royal Society (of London for Improving Natural Knowledge), the United Kingdom's national academy of sciences and the world's oldest national scientific society.

Founded in 1660, the society's early members included Sir Christopher Wren and Sir Isaac Newton.

Ellis said: "I am highly honoured and delighted to be elected a Fellow of the Royal Society as it is one of the most prestigious scientific bodies anywhere, with a wonderful, historic legacy. This will enable me to take part in discussions on scientific and policy issues with some of the best minds in the world from all disciplines, which will surely help me broaden my mind and understandings.

"I am also very pleased that it will bring me back to closer ties with British science, and in particular with colleagues from my Cambridge days, some of whom are now very eminent scientists. I also hope to make some kind of contribution to the work the society is doing, perhaps in terms of helping build stronger links with South Africa and the developing world."

Ellis received the Star of South Africa in 1999 and the 2004 Templeton Prize. In 2005 he took top honours in the National Science and Technology Forum's award (An Individual over a Lifetime).