Queen’s Birthday Honours

Members of the University community have been honoured for their outstanding contribution to society in the Queen’s birthday Honours.

Among those recognised are Professor Malcolm Mason, Cancer Research Wales Professor of Clinical Oncology at the School of Medicine, who was awarded an OBE for services to the NHS and cancer research.

Professor Mason was one of the original designers of the STAMPEDE clinical trial, which has shown how survival rates for men with advanced prostate cancer can be improved significantly by adding chemotherapy or novel forms of hormone therapy to standard hormone therapy.

He previously chaired the group which issued and monitored new standards for cancer treatment in Wales. He is also one of the core leaders of the programme which defines the international classification system for cancer staging, and leads the team who evaluate new research evidence to underpin this.

Wales Cancer Bank

He also established the Wales Cancer Bank, which was the first national tumour bank in the UK, and is acknowledged to have been the model for others in the UK and internationally.

Professor Mason said: “I am absolutely thrilled to have been honoured in this way...”

Women Adding Value to the Economy

Dr Alison Parken of Cardiff Business School was recognised for her work into equality and diversity, with an OBE. Lead of the Women Adding Value to the Economy project (WAVE), Dr Parken’s extensive research has built an evidence base for promoting socio-economic equality through policy-making and in organisational practices.

Dr Parken said: “I'm delighted that research designed to promote equality and diversity has been recognised through the Honours system.

“I'm particularly pleased if this signals that research collaborations with employers to tackle employment and pay inequalities, through projects such as Women Adding Value to the Economy (WAVE), have made a difference.”

Science made simple

Wendy Sadler of the School of Physics and Astronomy becomes an MBE for services to science, engineering communication and engagement. In 2002, Wendy established science made simple, an organisation which brings the brilliance of science to life with amazing, high energy interactive shows for schools and festivals.

Speaking about her MBE, Wendy said: “When I got the letter I was speechless. It is a huge honour to be recognised for years of hard work; promoting the importance of science-based learning that is entertaining and engaging for young people. Without my passionate and dedicated team, I would never have been able to achieve anything close to this. I want to thank them and everyone who has supported science made simple over the last 15 years from the bottom of my heart.”

Also recognised was Professor Pamela Taylor, Chair of Forensic Psychiatry in the Division of Psychological Medicine and Clinical Neurosciences in the School of Medicine, who was awarded a CBE for her services to forensic psychiatry.

“A great honour”

Professor Taylor’s research aims to improve the health and safety of people with disorders of mental health who become offenders, and the health and safety of the people with whom they come into contact, whether this is their family, the criminal justice services, third sector staff or the wider public.

Speaking about her CBE, Professor Taylor said: “This is a great honour, which I would like to be shared with the many colleagues, researchers, teachers and organisations that I’ve worked with both here in the UK and across the world. In particular, I’d like to thank Cardiff University’s Institute of Psychological Medicine & Clinical Neurosciences and the Royal College of Psychiatrists. Without all of this support, I would not have been able to achieve this very special award.”

Vice-Chancellor, Professor Colin Riordan said: “We are very proud to see the work and dedication of our staff and wider community recognised...”