A host of leading figures with links to the University of Southampton, including many graduates, were recognised in the Queen’s New Year’s Honours list for 2013.
Professor Don Nutbeam, Vice-Chancellor comments: “Each of those honoured by the Queen in this list is a leader in his or her field, and we are very proud of their connections with the University. I wish them many congratulations on their achievements.”
The full list:
Professor David Payne has been knighted (Knights Bachelor) for services to photonics, the science and application of light and electronics. Professor Payne, who is Director of the world-renowned Optoelectroni
cs Research Centre (ORC) at the University, is recognised for his extensive contributions to harnessing light in telecommunications, sensing, and lasers for manufacturing. He has to his credit an astonishing number of key discoveries, including his pioneering research developing the world’s first practical optical fibre amplifier – the Erbium-Doped Fibre Amplifier (EDFA) – and its use in optical fibre transmission systems. This crucial component forms the backbone of the Internet and made possible its explosive growth through an ability to transmit and amplify vast amounts of data.
Pat Usher has received an MBE for services to Higher Education. In her 38 years at the University, Pat rose from Administrative Assistant in the Adult Education Department to Director of Student and Academic Administration. Throughout her career, she championed equality of opportunity for all regardless of gender, background or physical capability. Through her persistence and drive, she introduced and championed the concept of the student life-cycle to produce an integrated experience from a potential student’s first encounter with the University through to graduation and beyond.
David Ferguson has received an MBE for services to nursing. Mr Ferguson is a Consultant Nurse (Learning Disabilities) working in Southern Health NHS Foundation Trust and seconded to the Faculty of Health Sciences at the University as an Academic Practitioner. He previously worked as a Teaching Fellow in the former School of Health Sciences. After qualifying as a Registered Nurse (Learning Disabilities) in 1984, Mr Ferguson spent most of his early nursing career working within Portsmouth and Southampton Community Learning Disability Services in Community Nurse and Clinical Nurse Specialist posts.
Former Southampton Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Professor Ian David Diamond, has been knighted (Knights Bachelor) for his services to Social Science and Higher Education. Professor Diamond is now the Principal and Vice-Chancellor at the University of Aberdeen. He was previously Chief Executive of the Economic and Social Research Council. He was also Chair of the Research Councils UK Executive Group (2004-2009). In his research career, Professor Diamond’s work crossed many disciplinary boundaries, most notably the area of population but also in health, both in the developed and less developed world, in environmental noise and with local authorities.
Professor Richard Holdaway was awarded a CBE in recognition of his remarkable services to Science and Technology. Professor Holdaway completed his Aeronautics degree at Southampton in 1970 and a PhD four years later. During his career, Professor Holdaway has work on missions in Space Science and Earth Observation with NASA, the ESA, China and Russia. He was a Member of Council of the University of Southampton and a Visiting Professor at Southampton, Kent and Aeronautics & Astronautics in Beijing University.
Carolyn Miller was awarded a CBE for her humanitarian and development work around the world. After graduating from Southampton in 1973 with a degree in Geography, Ms Miller managed a number of large international programmes in countries affected by conflict. She has worked as a Director at the UK Department for International Development and as Director of Programmes for Save the Children. She is now Chief Executive of Merlin, the global medical charity.
Caroline Tapster was awarded a CBE in recognition of her services to local government. Recipient of a Social Science Diploma from Southampton in 1980, Ms Tapster has worked in the public sector for more than 30 years, initially as a social worker in Dorset. She retired as Chief Executive of Hertfordshire County Council. Since retiring, Ms Tapster has worked as a Non-Executive Director for the Home Office, as well as working with the NHS and The Terrence Higgins Trust.
Professor David Hand was awarded an OBE for services to research and innovation. Professor Hand achieved his MSc in Applied Statistics in 1974 and earned his PhD from Southampton in 1977. Professor Hand is Head of the Statistics Section and Associate Head (Research) of the Department at Imperial College. A Fellow of the British Academy, Professor Hand has served twice as President of the Royal Statistical Society. Alongside his academic work, he has wide-ranging consultancy experience with private and public sector bodies.
Dr Francis Crane received an MBE in recognition for his commitment to the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award Scheme. After graduating from Southampton in 1975 with a degree in Geography, Dr Crane devoted his career to education. He is currently a Geography Teacher at the Stafford Grammar School.
Susan Hart was awarded an MBE for services to disabled people in Tanzania. Mrs Hart studied Textile Art at the Winchester School of Art, graduating in 1998. She also studied at the Makerere University in Kampala, Uganda, where she established a craft workshop for the L’Arche community. After working with blind and deaf blind adults in North Yorkshire, Mrs Hart moved to Tanzania and, with her husband Andy, founded Neema Crafts in 2003. Today, the centre involves 123 deaf and physically disabled workers who are trained in a variety of crafts and skills.