Fright for knight as good news lost in post

June 22, 2007

Five leading academics have been knighted in the Queen’s Birthday Honours.

But one of them, Brian Hoskins, professor of meteorology at Reading University and a world authority on climate change, almost missed the news.

He was rung by 10 Downing Street and asked if he had recently received a letter from them. It emerged the letter had gone to the address he left last year, a house that has now been demolished.

Joining Professor Hoskins as KBEs are George Castledine, professor of nursing at the University of Central England; David Mel­ville, vice-chancellor of Kent University, who retires on September 1; David Read, vice-president and biological secretary of the Royal Society and emeritus professor of plant sciences at Sheffield University; and Christopher Bayly, an Indian history scholar at Cambridge University.

Professor Bayly said: “I regard this not only as a great personal honour but, as a historian of India, as recognition of the growing importance of the history of the non-Western world.”
The list also includes two DBEs: for astrophysicist Jocelyn Bell Burnell, former dean of science at Bath University, and Janet Husband, professor of diagnostic radiology at the Institute of Cancer Research.

Scientists were well represented. Those appointed CBEs included Richard Morris, professor of neuroscience at Edinburgh University, and Azim Surani, professor of physiology and reproduction, Cambridge University.

Academic and broadcaster David Starkey leads the charge for the arts and humanities, being appointed a CBE.

olga.wojtas@thes.co.uk

 
Birthday honours

Knights Bachelor (KBE)
Christopher Alan Bayly, Vere Harmsworth professor of imperial and naval history, Cambridge University. George Castledine, professor of nursing, University of Central England. Brian John Hoskins, professor of meteorology, Reading University. David Melville, vice-chancellor, Kent University. David John Read, vice-president and biological secretary, Royal Society.

Order of the British Empire
­Dames Commander (DBE)
Susan Jocelyn Bell Burnell, visiting professor of astrophysics, Oxford University. Janet Elizabeth Siarey Husband, president of the Royal College of Radiologists.

Commanders (CBE)
David Armstrong, professor of sociology and medicine, King’s College London School of Medicine. Jeanne Elisabeth Bell, professor of neuropathology, Edinburgh University. Myles Fredric Burnyeat, honorary fellow, Robinson College. Geoffrey Malcolm Copland, vice-chancellor, Westminster University. Diana Margaret Green, vice-chancellor, Sheffield Hallam University. Helen Elaine Kempson, professor of personal finance and social policy research, Bristol University. Georgina Mary Mace, formerly director of science, Institute of Zoology, London. Richard Graham Michael Morris, professor of neuroscience, Edinburgh University. Mervyn Arthur Murch, professor of law, Cardiff Law School. Alison Gail Odell, life vice-
president, British Universities Sports Association. David Starkey, historian and broadcaster. Azim Surani, Marshall-Walton professor of physiology and reproduction, Cambridge University. David Ernest Young, chairman, Higher Education Funding Council for England.

Officers (OBE)
Jane Patricia Aldgate, adviser on child welfare and professor of social care, Open University. William Andrew Coward, formerly head of stable isotopes research, Medical Research Council, human nutrition research, Cambridge. Robert Cairns Craig, Glucksman professor of Irish and
Scottish studies, Aberdeen University. David Crook, formerly senior archivist, National Archives. Adrian Charles Davis, director, NHS Newborn Hearing Screening Programme and Medical Research Council Hearing and Communication Group. Robert John Donovan, formerly foundation chair of chemistry, Edinburgh University. Clive Douglas Field, formerly director, scholarship and collections, British Library. Georgina Follett, dean of faculty, Duncan of Jordanstone College of Art and Design, Dundee University. Frances Sylvia Heywood, senior research fellow, Bristol University. Leslie Hobson, formerly deputy vice-chancellor, Glamorgan University. Peter Henry Holmes, pro vice-principal, Glasgow University. Rita Jordan, head of autism studies, Birmingham University. Tom Kelly, formerly chief executive, Association of Scotland’s Colleges. Martin John Kendall, emeritus professor of clinical pharmacology, Birmingham University. Rodney Michael Kimber, director of science and engineering, Transport Research Foundation. Nigel Mason, professor of physics, Open University. John Richard Browne McMinn, principal, Stranmillis University College, Belfast. Srinivasan Raghunathan, head, School of Aeronautical Engineering, Queen’s University, Belfast. Martin Ferguson Smith, emeritus professor of classics, Durham University. Diane Waller, professor of art psychotherapy, Goldsmiths College. Monica Anne Winstanley, head of the external relations unit, Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council.

Members (MBE)
Bernadette Ann Duncan, head of security, City University, London. Michael Heyworth, director, Council for British Archaeology. Ruth Dorothy Nye, senior professor of piano, Yehudi Menuhin School, professor of piano, Royal Academy and Royal College of Music. Ann Oliver, founder, Leicester College of Performing Arts. David Leonard ­Prior, director for regional projects, Liverpool University. Margaret Scully, scout and housekeeper, Corpus Christi College, Oxford University. Helen Thorne, head of secretariat, Research Councils UK. Michael Wilkins, formerly director of sports, Kent University. James Wilson, international student adviser, Strathclyde University. Terence John Wyke, senior lecturer in history, Manchester Metropolitan University.

Order of St Michael and St George (CMG)
Elisabeth Croll, for services to higher education, especially in promoting understanding of China’s social development.

(CBE)
Alexander Marian Bradshaw, for services to fusion research in Europe.



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