Pembrokians Recognised in New Year’s Honours List 2022

Congratulations to Pembroke Honorary Fellows Professor Sir Chris Whitty and Professor Irene Tracey, and to Pembroke alumni Dr Roger Highfield, Erin Kennedy and Robin Caley, who were all recognised in the 2022 New Year’s Honours List for their services in a variety of different sectors.

Professor Chris Whitty (1985, Physiological Sciences) received a KCB (Knight Commander of the Bath) in recognition of his role in battling Covid-19. Professor Whitty is the current Chief Medical Officer for England, the UK Government’s Chief Medical Adviser and Chief Scientific Adviser for the Department of Health and Social Care. His academic career has seen him elected Fellow of the Academy of Medical Sciences, Gresham Professor of Physic and Professor of Public and International Health at the London School of Hygiene. He was also elected Honorary Fellow at Pembroke in 2020.

Professor Irene Tracey was a Pembroke Fellow from 2007 to 2019, holding the title of Nuffield Chair in Anaesthetic Science. She was also Head of the Nuffield Department of Clinical Neuroscience, before stepping down to assume her present role as the 51st Warden of Merton College, Oxford. Professor Tracey is now an Honorary Fellow at Pembroke and in  this year’s honours list she received a CBE (Commander of the Order of the British Empire) for services to Medical Research.

Erin Kennedy (2011, History and English) received an MBE (Member of the Order of the British Empire) for services to rowing. Erin started coxing while she was studying at Pembroke; she is now a member of the GB team and 2021 Paralympics gold medal winner.

Robin Caley (1980, Jurisprudence) received an OBE (Order of the British Empire) for services to Tax and Pandemic Support. Mr Caley is Senior Lawyer at HM Revenue and Customs.

Dr Roger Highfield (1976, DPhil Chemistry) received an OBE (order of the British Empire award) for services to public engagement with science. Dr Highfield has been Science Director at the Science Museum Group since 2019 and is a former Editor of New Scientist magazine. He has also won many awards for his journalism, notably a British Press Award.

Photo credits linked: Professor Irene Tracey, Erin Kennedy, Chris Whitty and Dr Roger Highfield.