Megan Povey
Megan J. Povey | |
|---|---|
 Megan Povey in June 2025 | |
| Citizenship | England |
| Alma mater | University of Lancaster |
| Scientific career | |
| Fields | Food physics, ultrasound and acoustics research |
| Institutions | University of Leeds |
Megan J. Povey is an English food physicist who is a professor at the University of Leeds. She is a Fellow of the Institute of Physics and founding member of the Physics in Food Manufacturing group.
Early life and education
Povey earned her bachelor's degree in physics at Lancaster University.[1] As a student in the 1960s, Povey became involved with political activism, campaigning against nuclear power and being part of Unite Against Fascism.[1] Her doctorate involved work of military potential, and she was offered several research and development positions in defence contractors. Povey was not interested in these careers; being anti-war and pro civil rights, and pursued an academic career at the University of Leeds.
Research and career
Povey joined the School of Food Science at the University of Leeds as a postdoctoral researcher in the 1970s.[2] There she started studying the physics of food, developing new methods to use ultrasound and acoustics in both food characterisation and manufacture. Her work has helped highlight the importance of sound in the way that people enjoy food.[3]
She has studied the crystallisation and growth of fat. Her research combines computational and mathematical modelling to develop both food and equipment.[2]
Povey has also studied the physical processes that underpin digestion, in an attempt to develop foods that can be digested by older people.[2]
Povey has served as president of the University of Leeds University and College Union (UCU).[1] She is a member of Scientists for Global Responsibility.[1]
Selected publications
- Zhang, Lingling; Jiang, Yunhong; Ding, Yulong; Povey, MJ; York, David (10 October 2006). "Investigation into the antibacterial behaviour of suspensions of ZnO nanoparticles (ZnO nanofluids)". Journal of Nanoparticle Research. 9 (3): 479–489. doi:10.1007/s11051-006-9150-1. ISSN 1388-0764. S2CID 97934211.
- Xiaobo, Zou; Jiewen, Zhao; Povey, M. J. W.; Holmes, Mel; Hanpin, Mao (14 May 2010). "Variables selection methods in near-infrared spectroscopy". Analytica Chimica Acta. 667 (1): 14–32. Bibcode:2010AcAC..667...14X. doi:10.1016/j.aca.2010.03.048. ISSN 0003-2670. PMID 20441862.</ref>
- Povey, M. J. W. (1997). Ultrasonic techniques for fluids characterization. Academic Press. ISBN 0-12-563730-6. OCLC 36713069.
Personal life
Povey is a transgender woman. In 2017, she came out to her family and colleagues and transitioned to Megan.[2][4]
References
- ^ a b c d "SGR Patrons | SGR: Responsible Science". Scientists for Global Responsibility. Retrieved 6 August 2020.
- ^ a b c d "You are what you eat". Physics World. 23 January 2020. Retrieved 6 August 2020.
- ^ Environment, Faculty of. "Professor Megan Povey | School of Food Science and Nutrition | University of Leeds". environment.leeds.ac.uk. Retrieved 21 July 2025.
- ^ "Megan Povey - School of Food Science and Nutrition". Equality Policy Unit. Retrieved 6 August 2020.