People

New Year's Honours

Two members of the University have received awards in the New Year's Honours list.

Chair of the University Council, Tim Melville-Ross FCIS FCIB, receieved a CBE for services to workplace learning and development.

Mr Melville-Ross is Chairman of Investors in People UK, the public body established to promote and develop the national Investors in People Standard.

He said: 'It's a great thrill to receive the honour, especially as it recognises the vital role that Investors in People plays in encouraging workplace and lifetime learning and development.'

Mr Melville-Ross is currently Chairman of DTZ Holdings plc and Manganese Bronze Holdings plc, and Deputy Chairman of Royal London Insurance.

In 1999 he became the founder Chairman of the University of Essex Foundation. He joined the University Council in 1994, and became its Chair in 2001.

Dr Heather Laurie, of the Institute for Social and Economic Research (ISER), has been awarded the MBE for her services to social science.

Dr Laurie manages the survey activities within the UK Longitudinal Studies Centre, including the annual British Household Panel Survey. She is responsible for the planning and day-to-day management of all survey operations within ISER.

Dr Laurie, a graduate of Essex, said: 'I was extremely surprised and delighted to have been nominated for the award. I see this as being a recognition of the work carried out by all my colleagues at ISER, and am pleased that the social sciences have been acknowledged in this way.'

Human rights honour

Professor Sir Nigel Rodley KBE, Chair of the University's Human Rights Centre, is to be honoured by the American Society of International Law, the world's leading professional association of international law scholars and practitioners.

The Society will award him the Goler T Butcher Medal for 'distinguished work in the field of international human rights', during its annual meeting in March.

A former United Nations Special Rapporteur on Torture, Professor Rodley will receive the award jointly with his predecessor in the role, Professor Pieter Kooijmans (now a judge of the International Court of Justice), and his successor in the same role, Professor Theodoor Van Boven.

During the annual meeting, Professor Rodley will also lead a discussion on 'Torture, Violence, and the Global War on Terror'.

Long service rewarded

Five members of staff, who have each clocked up 25 years of service, were rewarded for their contribution to the University at a special lunch hosted by the Vice-Chancellor. Also honoured was Janet Noyes who has worked at the University since 1964 and is the first person to be rewarded for 40 years of service.

Janet Noyes
Janet accepted a secretarial post in the Registrar's Office in September 1964. A year later she was appointed Principal Secretary in the Department of Electrical Engineering Science, now Electronic Systems Engineering. Janet has since gone on to become Departmental Administrator and is currently Research Administrator.

Christine Mead
Christine joined the University in February 1979 as a trainee Computer Officer before being appointed Senior Processing Assistant and helping to establish the Help Desk facility. She is currently a Chief Processing Officer providing laboratory support.

Carolyn Barry
Carolyn joined the Department of Mathematics, now Mathematical Sciences, in May 1979 as a part-time Secretary. She later became Departmental Secretary and is currently the Executive Officer.

Wendy Connolly
In April 1979 Wendy joined the University as Receptionist in the Sports Centre, a post she still holds today. During her time at the Sports Centre, Wendy has seen many changes, including the introduction of a computerised booking system.

Carol Ford
Carol joined the University as a cleaner in August 1979, working in the Tawney and Bertrand Russell towers. She is currently a Cleaning Supervisor in the William Morris tower.

Paula Metcalf
Paula started work as a Cleaner at the University in January 1980. She has worked in all parts of the student accommodation and is currently based in Eddington Tower.

Also in the printed January edition of Wyvern:

• Top award for VC
• Science award for honorary graduate
• Economist awarded fellowship
• Essex physicist at Indian conference