Bumper King's Birthday Honours list for Psychologists

Several psychologists, members of the British Psychological Society, were honoured in June.

Professor Peter Fonagy OBE, Head of the Division of Psychology and Language Sciences, University College London, receives a Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE), for services to Mental Health Care for Children and Young People. You can find lots of Professor Fonagy in our archive. He told us: 'I am delighted with this honour. It is wonderful to be recognised, but this recognition truly belongs to the many colleagues whose brilliance, support, and kindness have enabled any achievement. Having said that, I am of course personally deeply grateful for the award. Working to address children's mental health issues that so many, including myself, have struggled with, has been my life's privilege.'

Professor Rowena Hill, National Collaborative Lead, Covid-19 Foresight Group, gets an MBE for Public Service. Professor Hill said: 'I am extremely proud of this work and particularly the contribution of Nottingham Trent University and colleagues who worked on this with me. It was a time of such turmoil and uncertainty for everyone, but as individuals and an institution, we did what we could, when we were asked and made a difference.' During Covid, we had three conversations with Professor Hill. On Twitter/X, she said: 'These were more powerful at the time than you give credit for. Personally it allowed me to pause, reflect, understand what and how we were doing things, and check in with my profession. These punctuated that time and gave me a guardrail which allowed me to be steady.'

Dr Nistor-Dumitru Becia, Lately Senior Psychologist, Swansea Bay University Health Board, is made an MBE for services to Ukrainian Refugees. He told WalesOnline: 'It would never have occurred to me that someone would make the effort to nominate me… I do not know who that person is, but I am curious! When I received the letter, I went through a range of emotions – from shock, excitement to gratitude. Now I'm thinking about how I can use this recognition in a positive way, to do something else to help and support others. The MBE represents important values and I want to live up to them, not least in my work with Swansea Bay.'

Professor Barbara Sahakian OBE, Professor of Clinical Neuropsychology, University of Cambridge, adds a CBE, for services to Research in Human Cognitive Processes. She said: 'I am delighted to receive this award which recognises my research on human cognitive processes in health, psychiatric disorders and neurological diseases. I am grateful to my PhD students, post-doctoral fellows and colleagues for their collaboration.'

Professor Rhona Stainthorp, Emerita Professor of Education, University of Reading, gets an OBE for services to Education. She told us: 'My first reaction to the letter telling me about the possibility of an award was real shock and embarrassment – and then posh frock!

'I have had an amazingly stimulating life researching and lecturing about reading and writing development and how the empirical evidence from psychology can inform educationalists about effective ways of teaching and assessing literacy. I feel it is crucial that the education of teachers must include a knowledge and understanding of psychology and child development if they are to be able to provide all children with the best learning environments.

'My successes in my working life have only been possible because I have had the privilege of working with extraordinary colleagues and students who became colleagues at Bulmershe College, the Institute of Education in London and of course the University of Reading. This last name tells us all we need to do know about the beauties and challenges of English orthography.'

Dr Andrew Tyerman, Trustee, Headway UK and lately Clinical Lead and Head of Service, Community Head Injury Service, Buckinghamshire Healthcare NHS Trust, is Medallist of the Order of the British Empire, for services to Rehabilitation After Acquired Brain Injury. He told us: 'Reflecting on this award, the courage and resolve of people affected by brain injury has inspired me throughout my career. Working with people with brain injury, their families and friends has been a great privilege. Whilst I am no longer involved directly in service provision, the Aylesbury Model of community brain injury rehabilitation continues to evolve through the current team. Long may this continue, along with other community brain injury service provision and the vital support of Headway.'

There was also an OBE for historian Professor Joanna Bourke, who wrote a 2016 article for us on physical and emotional suffering after the First World War.

It's perhaps worth noting that because not all the citations are 'for services to Psychology', and not all job titles reflect that either, it can be difficult to spot everyone in the list! So if we've missed anyone, please do get in touch.