Megan J Povey

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. As a student in the 1960s, Povey became involved with political activism, campaigning against nuclear power and being part of Unite Against Fascism. 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.

She has studied the crystallisation and growth of fat. Her research combines computational and mathematical modelling to develop both food and equipment.

Personal life Povey is a transgender woman. In 2017, she came out to her family and colleagues and transitioned to Megan.