UEA Chancellor and academics recognised in King’s Birthday Honours list
By: Communications
Dame Jenny Abramsky and two leading UEA academics are among those recognised in the King’s Birthday Honours list.
Dame Jenny Abramsky, who took up the role of Chancellor at the University of East Anglia (UEA) this year and is a graduate of the University, has been awarded a Knight Grand Cross in the King’s Birthday Honours list.
This distinguished and rare award is bestowed in recognition of her lifelong work as a Media Producer and Philanthropist and for services to Arts, Media and Culture.
Dr Mary Beek, a Senior Research Fellow at UEA's School of Social Work and Principal Social Worker at Norfolk County Council, is honoured with an MBE for services to Children and Families.
Dr Beek’s work at the School of Social Work - one of the most highly regarded centres in the UK, and internationally renowned for its social work education and research - has helped train countless social work professionals who have served in the county and beyond.
The School is rated in the top 20 for Social Work by the Complete University Guide 2024 and 4th for research quality in Social Work and Social Policy by the Times Higher Education REF 2021 analysis.
Professor Diane Saunders, an Honorary Professor in the University’s School of Biological Sciences, has been made an OBE for services to Plant Science, Agriculture and to Women in STEM.
Prof Saunders is involved in pioneering research techniques in pathogen surveillance that play a major role in building knowledge of diseases in plants, especially in the regions of Africa and Asia that can be most effected by such diseases especially in wheat.
UEA Vice-Chancellor Prof David Maguire said: “I’m absolutely delighted that Dame Jenny has been recognised in the King’s Birthday Honours in this way. She is a pioneer and a ground breaker, and I know a huge inspiration to both students and staff alike at UEA.
“On behalf of the University, I extend heartfelt congratulations on this award.”
Prof Maguire added: “Dr Beek has made a huge contribution to the University and the County by teaching social workers their trade, driving research into the area and leading the crucial social work function at Norfolk County Council. I extend my huge congratulations to her.
“Prof Saunders has made an outstanding contribution to research in plant disease influencing the area worldwide and has done important work in the progression of women in STEM subjects, and I congratulate her on her much-deserved award.”
Note: Readers of our alumni newsletter Ziggurat may have seen reference to Dame Jenny Abramsky receiving an OBE for her services to media and philanthropy in the King's Honours. In fact, as mentioned in this article, she received the Knight Grand Cross in the King’s Birthday Honours list, for services to Arts, Media and Culture. Our apologies to Dame Jenny Abramsky.
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