OBEs for top UCLan academics
ISCRI staff celebrate double success after receiving New Year Honours
Two members of University of Central Lancashire (UCLan) staff are celebrating after receiving awards in the Queen’s New Year’s Honours List.
Professor Christopher Heginbotham, Deputy Head of the International School for Communities, Rights and Inclusion (ISCRI), and Kate Davies, a part-time Senior Manager in the same School, both received OBEs.
They have joined a growing list of academics from the department who have been rewarded by her Majesty for their service and dedication. Since 1999 Professor Lord Kamlesh Patel and Professor Naina Patel have received OBEs while Dr Ali Melling has been awarded an MBE.
Professor Heginbotham, who was given the title for his services to healthcare, said: “I am very pleased that my work over 40 years in health and social care has been recognised with this award. One of my priorities during my career has been to involve health service users actively in shaping public services, which is a core element of ISCRI’s work, for example on mental health and well-being.”
Kate, who was given the award for her services to disadvantaged people, commented: “I am really pleased with the award personally, but also it recognises the importance of working with disadvantaged communities, enabling them to shape services for the future through the type of engagement activities that ISCRI supports. It is my work at UCLan and in Nottinghamshire with drug and alcohol users and families particularly those from Black and Minority Ethnic communities that has made this so special.”
Professor Lord Patel of Bradford OBE, Head of ISCRI, added: “It is tremendous news that two members of staff from one school have been honoured for their work within health and social care agencies and disadvantaged communities. Having staff with an in-depth understanding of both policy and practice underpinned by a strong academic ethos clearly highlights the Schools philosophy of undertaking research and knowledge transfer activities that benefit directly the communities and agencies it serves.”
ISCRI was established in August 2008 by the merger of six existing academic units – the Centre for Ethnicity and Health, the Institute for Philosophy, Diversity and Mental Health, the Centre for Professional Ethics, the Psychosocial Research Unit, the Centre for Volunteering and Community Action and Islamic Studies.
It aims to be the foremost Higher Education School in the UK and internationally dedicated to cross-disciplinary, multi-cultural, academically rigorous study of the interface between individuals and society at a time of significant global uncertainty.
By blending taught courses with research and project work ISCRI aims to be a strong national and international voice for equality and human rights, challenging injustice, and seeking to ensure the voice of users is heard by all types of institutions.
The School encourages and enables opportunities for young people to achieve positive change through volunteering, and empowers communities through academic and consultancy activity.
07 January 2009
