Queen recognises UCL staff and alumni in birthday honours

Seven current UCL staff and a host of UCL alumni were commended for their services to academia, higher education, science, the economy and creative industries.

In the annual awards lists, delayed this year due to the pandemic, two UCL scientists were honoured for their work in relation to Covid-19.

Professor Richard Catlow (UCL Chemistry), was appointed Knight Bachelor for services to Leadership in Science and Research.

Sir Richard, a Professor of Material Catalytic and Computational Chemistry, has worked in the field of computational and experimental studies of complex inorganic materials for more than 40 years. He has been associated with UCL since 1976, was Head of UCL Chemistry from 2002 - 2007, UCL Dean of Mathematical & Physical Sciences from 2007-14 and is currently a Research Professor in UCL Chemistry.

Alongside his academic contributions, Sir Richard was elected a Fellow of the Royal Society in 2004, where he currently holds the role of Foreign Secretary.

On receiving his Knighthood he said: "I am naturally very pleased to have been awarded this honour, both personally and for the recognition with it gives to the key role of science and research. I am also grateful for the support I have had from so many UCL colleagues over the years."

Professor Geoff Mulgan (UCL Science, Technology, Engineering & Public Policy) was also appointed Knight Bachelor, for services to the Creative Economy.

Sir Geoff, a Professor of Collective Intelligence, Public Policy and Social Innovation, was previously Chief executive, NESTA, an innovation foundation, from 2011 to 2019 and has held various UK Government roles and founded the think-tank Demos.

He said: “I’ve been lucky enough to work across quite a few domains – from the creative economy to public policy, social innovation to technology – which are reflected both in this honour and in my role at UCL. At UCL/STEaPP I’m now working with fantastic colleagues to advance how we both understand and act on some of our most pressing complex problems. Watch this space!”

Professor Sophie Scott (UCL Institute for Cognitive Neuroscience), Professor of Cognitive Neuroscience, was awarded a CBE for services to Neuroscience.

She said: "I am delighted and honoured by this, and I'm really grateful to all my colleagues and collaborators over the years, at UCL and beyond, who have made working in cognitive neuroscience such a pleasure and a joy. My only sadness is that my dad has passed away, as he would have been thrilled and he would definitely have made me wear the medal all the time."

Professor Sarah Walker (MRC Clinical Trials Unit at UCL), Professor of Medical Statistics, received an OBE for services to Academia and the Covid-19 response.

Professor Sally Grantham-McGregor (UCL GOS Institute of Child Health), Emeritus Professor of Child Health and Nutrition, was made an OBE for services to Early Childhood Development in Developing Countries.

Professor Imran Rasul (UCL Economics), Professor of Economics, was awarded an OBE for services to Social Sciences.

Professor Tim Baker (UCL Mechanical Engineering) received an MBE for services to Healthcare in the UK and Abroad during Covid-19. Professor Baker was the engineering co-lead for the UCL Ventura project that developed the Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP), which has been used extensively to help COVID-19 patients with serious respiratory problems to breathe more easily.

He said: “It has been an absolute privilege to lead an incredible team of engineers and doctors from UCL in partnership with industry. What we achieved as a team is a result of everyone’s determination and commitment at a time of unprecedented need. The device was approved for use in only 10 days and 10,000 were delivered within four weeks. Thanks to everyone's hard work, patients across the NHS and around the world are being treated with the UCL-Ventura breathing aid. I am proud to have worked alongside staff from the NHS in the response to Covid, and I am honoured to represent the entire team in receiving this award.”

Other awards to UCL alumni, former staff and honorary degree holders represented in this year's Queen's Birthday Honours list include:

Dr Clare Gerada MBE (UCL Medical School 1983) - Damehood for services to General Practice

Professor Edward Byrne, UCL Vice-Provost (Health) between 2007 and 2009 - Knighthood for services to Higher Education

Anne Bulford OBE (English 1981) – CBE for services to Broadcasting and Charity

Jane Chantal Rickards (French 1980) – OBE for services to Broadcasting and to Charity.

June Angelides (UCL Economics 2007) - MBE for services to Women in Technology