Queen’s Birthday Honours

Members of the University community have been recognised in the Queen’s Birthday Honours for their exceptional contribution to society.

Professor Billie Hunter, Royal College of Midwives Professor of Midwifery in the School of Healthcare Sciences was awarded a CBE for services to midwifery and midwifery education in the UK and Europe.

Professor Hunter is an internationally acclaimed midwife, educator and researcher who has made many prominent contributions to the advancement of midwifery culture and maternity care, both in the UK and internationally. As the first Royal College of Midwives Professor of Midwifery, she has previously been recognised for her exceptional leadership and contribution to enriching the quality of care for mothers and babies, through promoting care for the midwives.

Currently the Director of the World Health Organisation Collaborating Centre (WHOCC) for Midwifery Education and Development in Europe, Professor Hunter leads the WHOCC project to publish an interactive web-based tool that can be used to implement and develop midwifery education across the globe.

Professor Graham Hutchings, Regius Professor of Chemistry and director of the University’s Cardiff Catalysis Institute was awarded a CBE for services to chemistry and to innovation.

Among his many successes, Professor Hutchings’ most valued discovery is that the precious metal gold has the remarkable ability to catalyse reactions much more efficiently than others that are used in industry.

As a result of his pioneering work, a gold catalyst is now being produced at a purpose built factory in China by global chemicals company Johnson Matthey in order to catalyse the production of vinyl chloride – the first time in over 50 years that a complete overhaul in catalyst formulation has been implemented to produce a commodity chemical.

Also recognised was Professor Haley Gomez, of the School of Physics and Astronomy who was awarded an MBE for services to astrophysics, astronomy and outreach activities.

Professor Gomez has dedicated her work to understanding the formation and evolution of cosmic dust, particularly where it is formed. She played a key role in showing that dust is actually formed in supernovae and was the first to see, with Herschel, exquisite filaments of cold dust shining in the famous Crab Nebula.

As Head of Public Engagement for the School, Professor Gomez has been instrumental in inspiring young people into science and technology.  She has run two large outreach projects – Inspiring Science Education, which highlights and promotes best practices in STEM education in schools across Europe, and Universe in a classroom, which provides innovative astronomy resources to primary schools and trains more than 100 teachers to bring science to more than 6,000 children in modern, engaging ways.

Vice-Chancellor, Professor Colin Riordan said: “We are very proud to see the dedication and work of our staff and alumni recognised. Congratulations to all members of the University’s community who have received honours.”

Also recognised was Honorary Fellow Robert Wainwright, former director of Europol, who received a Knighthood for services to policing and security.