New Year Honours 2012

Diarmaid MacCulloch, one of the Oxford academics recognised in the New Year Honours (credit: Chris Gibbions)

Four Oxford University academics have been recognised in the New Year Honours, announced on 31 December 2011.

Professor Diarmaid MacCulloch, of the Theology Faculty and St Cross College, was knighted (KB) for services to scholarship. Diarmaid MacCulloch is Professor of the History of the Church. His research interests include the European Reformation 1490-1700 and Christian history in general. He co-edits the Journal of Ecclesiastical History. His books, which have won various prizes, include Thomas Cranmer: a Life; Reformation: Europe's House Divided 1490-1700; and most recently A History of Christianity: the First Three Thousand Years. Professor MacCulloch presented the award-winning television series ‘A History of Christianity: the first 3,000 years’ on BBC4 and BBC2.

Oxford’s current Professor of Poetry, Geoffrey Hill, was knighted (KB) for services to literature. He is considered to be among the most distinguished living poets and has had a long and prolific career. A graduate of Keble College, Oxford, Professor Hill was elected Professor of Poetry in 2010.

Professor Lionel Tarassenko, of the Department of Engineering Science and St John’s College, and director of the Institute for Biomedical Engineering, was made a CBE for services to engineering. He holds the Chair of Electrical Engineering. His research is focused on the development of signal processing techniques and their application to diagnostic systems, especially in the context of medical problems. He has won multiple awards for his work in the area of diagnostic engineering.

Professor Robert Walker, of the Department of Social Policy and Intervention (where he is deputy head of department) and Green Templeton College, was made an MBE for services to social policy research. He is Professor of Social Policy. He is also a member of the government’s Social Security Advisory Committee as well as holding other advisory roles. He focuses on research relevant to the development of welfare policies in Britain and other societies; in particular poverty; social exclusion; family dynamics and budgeting strategies; employment instability and progression; and children's aspirations.