We are delighted to announce that our Vice-Chancellor, Professor Glynis Breakwell has been made a Dame in the Queen’s New Year Honours for services to higher education.
Professor Breakwell has been Vice-Chancellor since 2001. Under her leadership we have significantly increased our profile as a world-class research-intensive university.
Professor Breakwell has an international reputation as a social psychologist. She has written more than 20 books including The Psychology of Risk. She is active as a policy adviser and scholar specialising on leadership, identity processes, risk communication and military cultures.
She has championed nationally the role of universities in scientific and technological innovation, exploitation and economic regeneration, and has worked over many years to widen participation in science and achieve knowledge transfer from higher education to business.
Lord Tugendhat, Chancellor of the University, said: “Professor Breakwell richly deserves this honour. She is an outstanding Vice-Chancellor and a significant contributor to our national life. Her extraordinary energy and determination have enabled the University to achieve great success over the last ten years. She has combined this with strong participation in national and regional policy-making, investing in local relationships and scholarly output.”
Peter Troughton, Chair of the University’s Council, added “Professor Breakwell has made a very substantial contribution to higher education over many years and I am delighted that it should be recognised in this way. Her confident leadership has had a profound effect on the performance of the University academically and financially.”
Commenting on her honour, Professor Dame Glynis Breakwell DBE, said: “It is wonderful to be honoured for simply doing the things I love, working with people that I admire, as part of a great University in a city of beauty and spirit. I want to share this recognition with everyone who has made it possible and to thank them.”