New Year Honours 2018: damehood for Liverpool vice-chancellor

Janet Beer, vice-chancellor of the University of Liverpool, and John Curtice, the University of Strathclyde polling expert, are among hundreds of eminent academic figures recognised in the Queen’s New Year’s Honours List for 2018.

Professor Beer, who was elected president of Universities UK in August 2017, is appointed dame commander alongside Pratibha Laxman Gai, professor and chair of electron microscopy at the University of York. Joy Carter, vice-chancellor of the University of Winchester, is appointed CBE. 

Among those receiving knighthoods are Professor Curtice, professor of politics at Strathclyde; Tim Melville-Ross, chair of the Higher Education Funding Council for England (Hefce); and Timothy Besley, professor of economics and political science at the London School of Economics.

More than one in 10 (11 per cent) honours this year recognise work in education, with science and technology recipients making up 3 per cent of the list.

Meanwhile, students will be bemused to see former Liberal Democrat leader Nick Clegg knighted for his political and public services. Mr Clegg famously pledged to scrap tuition fees during the general election campaign that led to his becoming deputy prime minister in 2010 – a pledge that was subsequently broken.

New Year Honours 2018

Among those appointed Companion of Honour:

• Lord Bragg, author, broadcaster and former chancellor of the University of Leeds. For services to broadcasting and the arts.

Among those appointed Knight:

• Timothy Besley, professor of economics and political science, London School of Economics. For services to economics and public policy.
• John Curtice, professor of politics, University of Strathclyde. For services to the social sciences and politics.
• Tim Melville-Ross, chair, Higher Education Funding Council for England (Hefce). For services to higher education.
• Bernard Silverman, chief scientific adviser to the Home Office, professor of statistics, University of Oxford, and former master of St Peter’s College, Oxford. For public services and services to science.
• Robert Sparks, professor of geology, University of Bristol. For services to volcanology and geology.
• Terence Stephenson, consultant paediatric doctor, chair of the General Medical Council, and Nuffield professor of child health, UCL. For services to healthcare and children’s health services.
• Iain Torrence, pro-chancellor, University of Aberdeen, dean of the Chapel Royal in Scotland, honorary professor of early Christian doctrine and ethics, University of Edinburgh, president and emeritus professor of patristics at Princeton Theological Seminary. For services to higher education and theology.
• Alan Tuckett, professor of education, University of Wolverhampton. For services to education, particularly adult learning.

Appointed Knight Grand Cross of the Order of the Bath:

• Christopher Geidt, private secretary to the Queen and chairman of the council, King’s College London. For public service.

Appointed Companion of the Order of the Bath:

• David Prout, pro vice-chancellor for planning and resources, University of Oxford, former director general, High Speed 2 group, Department for Transport. For services to transport.

Appointed Companion of the Order of St Michael and St George:

• Helen Sharman, astronaut, operations manager for the department of chemistry, Imperial College London. For services to science and technology educational outreach.

Appointed Knight Grand Cross of the Order of the British Empire:

• Keith Peters, former Regius professor of physics and former head of School of Clinical Medicine, University of Cambridge. For services to the advancement of medical science.

Among those appointed Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire:

• Janet Beer, vice-chancellor, University of Liverpool. For services to higher education and equality.
• Hilary Chapman, chief nurse, Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, visiting professor, Sheffield Hallam University. For services to nursing.
• Pratibha Laxman Gai, professor and chair of electron microscopy, University of York. For services to chemical sciences and technology.

Among those appointed Commander of the Order of the British Empire:

• Stuart Ball, retired professor of modern British history, University of Leicester. For services to political history.
• David Bell, professor of economics, University of Stirling. For services to economics and public policy.
• Norman Black, pro vice-chancellor of research and innovation, Ulster University. For services to higher education, science and the voluntary sector.
• Joy Carter, vice-chancellor, University of Winchester. For services to higher education.
• Diane Coyle, professor of economics, University of Manchester. For services to economics and the public understanding of economics.
• Martyn Davies, professor of biomedical surface chemistry, University of Nottingham. For services to pharmacy and pharmaceutical sciences.
• Caroline Dive, professor of cancer pharmacology and deputy director, Cancer Research UK Manchester Institute. For services to cancer research.
• Christl Donnelly, professor of statistical epidemiology, Imperial College London. For services to epidemiology and the control of infectious diseases.
• Michele Dougherty, professor of space physics, Imperial College London. For services to UK physical science research.
• Richard English, pro-vice-chancellor and professor of politics, Queen’s University Belfast. For services to the understanding of modern-day terrorism and political history.
• Jonathan Freeman-Attwood, professor and principal, Royal Academy of Music. For services to music.
• Paul Gregg, professor of economic and social policy, University of Bath. For services to children and social mobility.
• Demis Hassabis, neuroscientist and artificial intelligence researcher. Co-founder and chief executive officer, DeepMind. For services to science and technology.
• Karen Holford, deputy vice-chancellor, Cardiff University. For services to engineering and the advancement of women in science and engineering.
• Katherine Humphries, professor of economic history, University of Oxford. For services to social science and economic history.
• Richard Lilford, professor of public health, University of Warwick. For services to health research.
• Robin Lovell-Badge, senior group leader, Francis Crick Institute. For services to genetics, stem cell research and the public understanding of science.
• Lesley McAra, professor of penology and assistant principal for community engagement, University of Edinburgh. For services to criminology.
• Andrew Morris, former chief scientist (health), Scottish government, and vice-principal of data science, University of Edinburgh. For services to science in Scotland.
• Philip Nelson, chief executive, Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) and chair, Research Councils UK. For services to UK engineering and science.
• Hilary Reynolds, executive director, Research Councils UK. For services to policy and research.
• Philip Routledge, professor emeritus of clinical pharmacology, Cardiff University. For services to medicine.
• Ngaire Woods, dean, Blavatnik School of Government, University of Oxford. For services to higher education and public policy.

Among those appointed Officer of the Order of the British Empire:

• James Arthur, professor of education and civic engagement, and deputy pro vice-chancellor of staffing, University of Birmingham. For services to education.
• Jeremy Bagg, head, University of Glasgow Dental School. For services to dental education.
• Tina Barsby, chief executive and director, National Institute of Agricultural Botany. For services to UK agricultural science and biotechnology.
• Clive Behagg, former vice-chancellor, University of Chichester. For services to higher education and economic regeneration.
• Derek Bell, president, Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh. For services to unscheduled care and quality improvement.
• Charanjit Bountra, professor of translational medicine, University of Oxford. For services to translational medical research.
• Brian Bowsher, chief executive, Science and Technology Facilities Council. For services to international and national metrology.
• Karen Bryan, former pro vice-chancellor, regional engagement, and dean, Faculty of Health and Well-being, Sheffield Hallam University. For services to higher education.
• Katharine Carruthers, director, UCL Institute of Education, Confucius Institute for Schools. For services to education.
• Antony Chapman, former vice-chancellor, Cardiff Metropolitan University. For services to higher education.
• Sally-Ann Cooper, professor of learning disabilities, University of Glasgow. For services to science and medicine.
• David Docherty, chief executive, National Centre for Universities and Business. For services to higher education and business.
• Margaret Frame, professor of cancer research and science director, Edinburgh Cancer Research Centre. For services to cancer research.
• Ian Goodyer, professor of child and adolescent psychiatry, University of Cambridge. For services to psychiatry research.
• Hilary Grainger, professor of architectural history and dean of quality assurance and academic development, London College of Fashion, University of the Arts London. For services to higher education.
• Christopher Griffiths, foundation professor of dermatology, University of Manchester. For services to dermatology.
• Margaret House, vice-chancellor, Leeds Trinity University. For services to higher education.
• Elizabeth Kuipers, professor of clinical psychology, King’s College London. For services to clinical research, treatment and support for people with psychosis.
• Hilary Lappin-Scott, professor of microbiology, Swansea University. For services to microbiology and the advancement of women in science and engineering.
• Anthony O’Hear, professor of philosophy and former head of the department of education, University of Buckingham. For services to education.
• Brooke Rogers, reader in risk and terror, King’s College London. For services to academia and government.
• Judy Sebba, director, Rees Centre for Research in Fostering and Education, University of Oxford. For services to higher education and to disadvantaged young people.
• Richard Sennett, Centennial professor of sociology, London School of Economics and professor of the humanities, New York University. For services to design.
• John Sloboda, research professor, Guildhall School of Music and Drama. For services to psychology and music.
• Nicholas Stafford, emeritus professor of otolaryngology, head and neck surgery, University of Hull. For services to medical research and healthcare.
• Maria Stokes, professor of musculoskeletal rehabilitation, University of Southampton. For services to physiotherapy research.
• Richard Thompson, professor of marine biology, Plymouth University. For services to marine science.
• Kathryn Whaler, chair of geophysics, University of Edinburgh. For services to geophysics.

Among those appointed Member of the Order of the British Empire:

• Louise Banahene, head of educational engagement, University of Leeds. For services to higher education.
• Ben Goldacre, senior clinical research fellow, Centre for Evidence-Based Medicine, University of Oxford. For services to evidence in policy.
• Michael Levin, professor of paediatrics and international child health, Imperial College London and St Mary’s Hospital. For services to infectious diseases, critical care and research.
• Melinda Tan, rector, University of Central Lancashire Cyprus branch campus. For services to British higher education overseas and the promotion of bicommunal relations in Cyprus.
• Michael Tipton, professor of human and applied physiology, University of Portsmouth. For services to physiological research in extreme environments.
• Clive Wilson, director of estates and facilities, University of Bradford. For services to higher education and sustainability.
• Barbara Ann Woodward-Carlton, chair, University of Bradford Panel for Dementia Research. For services to patient and public involvement in furthering dementia research.

Among those appointed Medallist of the Order of the British Empire:

• Andrew Bromley, international student support officer, Sheffield Hallam University. For services to higher education.
• Sabrina Francis, social media officer, City, University of London. For services to the University of London.
• John Middleton, former technical manager, School of Physics and Astronomy, University of Nottingham. For services to higher education and science.
• Sarah Stringer, honorary lecturer, King’s College London. For services to psychiatry and equality in mental healthcare.

Diplomatic Service and Overseas

Among those appointed Order of the Companions of Honour:

• Margaret MacMillan, former warden, St Antony’s College, Oxford. For services to higher education, history and international affairs.
• Christopher Rudd, provost and chief executive officer, University of Nottingham, Ningbo, China. For services to higher education and UK/China cooperation.

Appointed Order of St Michael and St George:

• Terence Callaghan, professor of Arctic ecology and director, University of Sheffield. For services to advancing knowledge and international collaboration in Arctic science.

rachael.pells@timeshighereducation.com