People
Recognition for Professor
Professor Anthony King has received the Special Recognition Award by
the Political Studies Association (PSA) for his contribution to politics.
The PSA, which represents the UK's politics professors and lecturers,
present awards annually to those who have made a significant contribution
to the practice, reporting and study of politics over the past year.
Appointed to the Department of Government in 1965, Professor King’s
work has focused on opinion polls, elections and political parties. Author
of numerous publications, he co-authored two of the Nuffield Election
Studies with David Butler for the 1964 and 1966 elections and his work on
the Britain at the Polls series of general election studies has helped
produce an authoritative study on voters in the UK.
On presenting his award, the judges praised Professor King for his
'erudite and incisive analysis', adding: 'Professor King has not only
analysed our political life; he has helped shape it, via his important
contributions to the Committee on Standards in Public Life and the Royal
Commission on reform of the House of Lords.'
It has just been announced that Professor King is to lead a review of
impartiality of the BBC's network news coverage. His report, commissioned
by the BBC Trust, is expected to be published in early summer.
Professor Anthony King was honoured
for his contribution to British politics
Tribute to 'model chairman'
Chair of the University Council, Tim Melville-Ross, retires at the
end of the month to become the new Chair of the Higher Education Funding
Council for England (HEFCE).
Mr Melville-Ross joined Council, the University's governing body, in
1994, and assumed the role of Chair in 2001. Former Vice-Chancellor,
Professor Sir Ivor Crewe, pays tribute to his invaluable contribution to
the development of the University, during a period of exceptional growth
and change: .
'If there is a big job to be done, ask a busy person'. Of nobody is
this old adage more apt than Tim Melville-Ross. Despite the demands of a
clutch of multinationals for his services as Director or, increasingly,
Chair of the Board, Tim always found time, indeed seemed to have time to
spare, to preside not only over Council but other University committees,
including the Finance and Strategy Committee which met frequently,
typically with a big agenda.
Tim brought to Council his long and thoughtful experience of managing
and governing large businesses, while always sensitive to the differences
between the private corporate sector and the world of universities.
He persuaded lay and academic members of Council alike that the
University had to be managed in a business-like way even though it is not
a business in the conventional sense.
And he has been a model chair of what is a large body comprising
diverse interests: courteous and calm, but always focused and decisive.
However critical the issues facing Council, Tim steered it forward and
kept it united. On a personal note, I am forever grateful for his constant
support and wise counsel during my time as Vice-Chancellor.
Fortunately, the University’s loss is higher education’s gain, as Tim
becomes chair of HEFCE in the New Year. The country’s universities are
fortunate to have someone so sympathetic and knowledgeable as head of
their funding body.
Also in the printed December edition of Wyvern:
- Chinese legal advice
- INSEARCH says 'hello' and 'goodbye' to students
