IOE alumni and former Director recognised in the King’s first New Year Honours List

Professor Becky Francis, Professor at IOE, UCL's Faculty of Education and Society, and Chief Executive of the Education Endowment Foundation, has been awarded a CBE for services to education. 

Professor Francis was Director of IOE, then known as the UCL Institute of Education, between 2016 and 2020. She instigated a number of transformative initiatives, such as the launch of flagship research centres, on teachers and teaching, on education policy, and social justice; she also played an instrumental role in leading UCL’s action against sexual misconduct and harassment.  

In 2018, she was named as one of the most influential people in the world of education by TES for her work highlighting the negative impact of school class settings on those from low socio-economic backgrounds. 

Six IOE alumni achieved recognition in the Honours: 

• Fiona Jane Boulton (Educational Management MA), Headteacher, Guildford High School, awarded an OBE for services to education. 
• Robert John Emlyn Evans (Education BEd, 1978 and History of Education MA, 1993), Member, Surrey County Council, awarded an OBE for political and public service. 
• Mouhssin Ismail (PGCSE Business and Economics Education, 2007), lately Principal, Newham Collegiate Sixth Form Centre, London Borough of Newham, awarded an OBE for services to education.
• Catherine Lee (PhD/MPhil Education, 2013), now Professor of Inclusive Education and Leadership and Deputy Dean for Education at Anglia Ruskin University. Professor Lee was awarded for services to Equality in Education
• Betsey Lau-Robinson (PG Dip Education, 2012), who is Head of Adult Safeguarding and the Mental Health Capacity Act at the University College London Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, and awarded for services to Patient Safeguarding.
• Jill Baker (Graduate Certificate in Educational Leadership Development and Consultation, 2005), lately Executive Headteacher, Eastbrook School, London Borough of Barking and Dagenham. Awarded for services to Education.

Professor Li Wei, Director and Dean of IOE, said: "I am very pleased that these colleagues join a growing number of IOE people who have been honoured for their contributions to education and wider society. IOE's staff and alumni help to transform the lives of individuals and society through their work, and we are very proud of their achievements." 

Other UCL staff, alumni and honorary degree holders represented in this year’s list include Professor Sir Michael Marmot, who has been appointed to the Order of the Companions of Honour.

Links

• UCL’s New Year Honours including a prestigious Companion of Honour
• UCL Remarkable Stories podcast - Mouhssin Ismail
• Courses at IOE

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Professor Becky Francis - photo by Anna Gordon.