Psychologists honoured

This year's Queen's Birthday Honours list includes five members of the British Psychological Society. Among them are an expert in cognitive neuroscience and laughter, an organisations expert working with the NHS, and a clinical psychologist who has helped to support children and young people growing up in care.

Professor of Health Psychology, and member of the government's Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies, Lucy Yardley (University of Bristol and University of Southampton), was awarded an OBE (Officer of the Order of the British Empire), for services to the Covid-19 response. She said: 'At a time when so many people are making such a wonderful effort to help us all get through this difficult time I feel very grateful that I have been given the opportunity to try to make a positive contribution through SAGE and my research.'

Dr Kim Golding a Consultant Clinical Psychologist was awarded a CBE (Commander of the Order of the British Empire). Her work has taken a particular focus on supporting children who grew up in the care system, or who were adopted from the care system, as well as helping parents and families.

She said that, while she viewed the term 'British Empire' to be outdated and not representative of her own experience of being British, she appreciated the valuing of British excellence which the honours represented. 'This honour, while recognising my individual contribution, also recognises the hard work of many people. We want to ensure that our children and young people have the best support possible in order to recover from early trauma and develop towards improved mental health and emotional wellbeing.'

Professor of Cognitive Neuroscience and laughter expert Sophie Scott (University College London), has received a CBE for services to neuroscience. She said she had always felt truly lucky to have a career working in psychological research – a path she embarked on 30 years ago.

'I love the science and I have had the chance to work with such wonderful colleagues and collaborators. To be recognised in this way for my science feels honestly quite greedy of me, but I am really honoured.'

Professor of Work and Organisational Psychology, Michael West (Lancaster University), was also awarded a CBE for services to compassion and innovation in the NHS. He said, throughout his research career, he had the immense privilege of working with psychologists, those in other disciplines and wonderful people in the NHS.

'We have shared a fundamental commitment to creating the conditions where health and care staff can effectively provide high quality, continually improving and compassionate care for those in the community and creating the conditions where staff themselves experience high quality, continually improving and compassionate support. This huge honour for me is also recognition for all of their inspiring contributions.'

Principal Lecturer in Psychology Dr Derek Farrell (University of Worcester) was awarded an MBE (Member of the Order of the British Empire) for services to psychology. Farrell is also an EMDR Therapy Europe Accredited Trainer and Consultant and an Accredited Psychotherapist with the British Association of Cognitive & Behavioural Psychotherapies.