On Tuesday, 12 September, the Government Office for Science and the Cabinet Office hosted an honours panel event at the University of Manchester to encourage more honours nominations for people in the north of England's science, technology and research community.
The free event, which was open to anyone from the public to attend, featured members of the Independent Science, Technology and Research Honours Committee and recent honours recipients, including the Government's Chief Scientific Officer, Professor Dame Angela Mclean, and Stephen Kelly, the current Chair of the Science, Research and Technology honours committee. Other speakers included Professor Dhiya Al-Jumeily OBE - a renowned Professor of Artificial intelligence at Liverpool John Moores University - and Dame Sue Ion, Former Chair of the UK Nuclear Innovation Research Advisory Board.
The event was part of a government outreach campaign to raise awareness of the 106-year-old honours system. Hosting the event in Manchester also aimed to level up the honours system by encouraging people of all ages and backgrounds from across the United Kingdom to nominate someone deserving for an honour.
The event coincided with the Independent Science, Technology and Research Honours Committee, who were holding their twice-yearly meeting (for what is thought to be the first time outside of London) to consider who will be awarded an honour in the upcoming King's New Years 2024 honours list.
Speaking before the event, Government Chief Scientific Adviser Dame Angela McLean said: "The awarding of honours is a great opportunity to highlight the excellent work being done in science, technology and research in the north of England. This event will focus on how the process works and what makes a nomination stand out, so you can recognise the science and technology heroes in your area."
Professor Dame Nancy Rothwell, President and Vice-Chancellor at The University of Manchester, said: "It is a privilege to be hosting the Science, Technology and Research Honours Committee on our campus, particularly in our new world-class Engineering facility. We very much welcome the committee coming to the north of England for the first time, which reflects the importance of our region and those who work here in delivering ground-breaking science and technology research advancements. The honours system is a fantastic way to recognise those research contributions and the significant impacts and benefits they bring to society in the UK and globally."
Watch back the event
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