Newcastle academics recognised in Queen’s Birthday Honours

Professor Vicki Bruce has been announced as Dame Commander of the British Empire, for services to Higher Education and Psychology, in the 2015 Queen’s Birthday Honours List.

Professor Bruce, from the University's School of Psychology, is one of the world's leading experts in the field of human face perception and recognition, including eye-witness recall and the use of face images in forensic contexts. Her work has influenced the way that witnesses are interviewed and how evidence from CCTV images may be used by the courts.

Professor Bruce, pictured, has done much to champion equality and was formerly Chair of the Newcastle University Diversity Committee. She also helped start NU-Women, the University's network for female staff.?In the past, she worked with the Royal Mint to help develop new coins that are easier for blind people to recognise and her work ensured that the one pound coin was made thicker so that it would not be confused with old-style five pence coins.

Professor Bruce has played significant roles in a number of research and professional bodies, in the UK and internationally. She is currently Vice-President for Public Engagement in the British Academy. She said: “In work I have done in the past - with the British Academy and other organisations - I have had the pleasure of working with some incredible people from many disciplinary backgrounds. I am truly honoured, and slightly terrified, to be joining the tiny group of UK Dames from academia – but hope this will help more women to be recognised for their efforts for the academy and society.”

Also recognised in this year’s Queen’s Birthday Honours was Kathryn Tickell, who was awarded the OBE for services to Folk Music. Kathryn, a guest lecturer in the School of Arts and Culture, was one of the founding staff for the BMus in Folk and Traditional Music.

published on: 15 June 2015