New Years Honours

Three members of the British Psychological Society have been recognised in the 2023 New Year Honours List. Among them are consultant applied psychologist, expert in psychosocial medicine, and former High Sheriff of Greater Manchester, Professor Robina Shah MBE DL JP. 

The Director of the Doubleday Centre for Patient Experience, Shah has been awarded a DBE (Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire) for services to Patient Care. She said she was truly humbled, honoured and delighted by the award. 'I am overwhelmed with humility and a myriad of emotions. I am thankful to all those people who have enriched my life's journey. I am deeply indebted to my parents, husband Tariq and children, Zainab, Raabiyah and Sulaymaan, and all those patients, carers, families and colleagues who have supported my work. My success is theirs too, and I accept this huge honour for all of us!'

Professor of Social Psychology Dominic Abrams FBA (University of Kent) has been awarded an OBE (Officer of the Order of the British Empire) for services to the Social Sciences. He said he was delighted on behalf of the BPS, Society for the Psychological Study of Social Issues, Academy for the Social Sciences and British Academy.

'I have been supported by superb and committed staff and academics working tirelessly to advocate for the social and economic value of the social sciences. In my own research work I have been fortunate to work with wonderful students, collaborators and colleagues at the University of Kent and our many partner organisations, working together to combat prejudice and promote a kinder and more inclusive society. This honour reflects the value of their work as much as mine.'

Dr Atiya Kamal, Health Psychologist and Senior Lecturer (Birmingham City University), has been awarded an MBE (Member of the Order of the British Empire), for services to Health Psychology during the Covid-19 pandemic. During the pandemic Atiya worked on the Scientific Pandemic Insights Group on Behaviours (SPI-B) providing evidence and guidance based on health psychology theory and research to support the UK government's Covid response.

Atiya's research explores the role of culture on health and the local context in changing health behaviour. During the pandemic she turned her attention to local and national responses to Covid-19 and supported the national response by working with policy makers, practitioners and academics.  

She said being named on the New Year Honours list was surreal, but that she felt enormous gratitude to receive an MBE. 'I was doing my job, but it has been lovely to be recognised for that. It wouldn't have been possible without the support of many other people.' Atiya said that working as a researcher during the Covid-19 pandemic had been a fascinating experience. 'It was great to see the value and application of health psychology, but also to be challenged to push it further into broader contexts and broader settings.'