A leading road safety researcher and a sports ambassador who helped turn Leeds into a global centre for triathlon are among those recognised in the King's Birthday Honours.
Professor Natasha Merat, an experimental psychologist who seeks to understand how road users interact with new technologies, has been named an Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) for services to future transport systems.
The King's Birthday Honours mark the achievements and service of extraordinary people across the UK.
Professor Merat is research group leader of the Human Factors and Safety Group in the Institute for Transport Studies at the University of Leeds.
She is responsible for the strategic direction of research conducted at Virtuocity, the University's unique programme for city simulation and co-design, which includes a state-of-the-art driving simulator.
Professor Merat studies factors such as driver distraction and impairment and is an internationally recognised expert in studying human factors of highly automated vehicles.
"I am deeply honoured and humbled to have received this award. It was completely unexpected and I was in shock for quite a few minutes when the letter arrived a few Saturdays ago," she said.
"I am grateful to be recognised for my contributions to future transport systems, in my role as a psychologist and human factors expert.
"I could not have done this without my amazing team. All I can say is that we have only just started, with lots of exciting and significant activities required in this space, to ensure these new forms of mobility are sustainable, accepted and safe to use."
Stewart Ross
Stewart Ross, Deputy Chief Operating Officer at the University of Leeds, has been named a Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) for services to sport, both nationally and in the Leeds City Region.
Stewart was instrumental to the establishment of British Universities and Colleges Sport (BUCS), which provides sporting opportunities for more than 100,000 students across the UK every year.
He played a key role in the establishment of Triathlon Leeds, a partnership between the city's universities, British Triathlon and Leeds City Council.
Based at the Brownlee Centre at the University of Leeds, this has led to Leeds becoming the most successful city in the world for triathlon, supporting Great Britain teams and multiple Olympic and World medal winners including the Brownlee brothers.
Stewart led a team that brought the Chinese Olympic team to the University of Leeds in 2012 for its pre-Games training camp and was central to welcoming the World Triathlon Series to the city. He also helped to launch Woodhouse Moor parkrun – the first parkrun event outside London.
Stewart said: "I am thrilled to receive this MBE and would really like to recognise and thank all the people who have volunteered or worked with me.
"Sport can be such an accessible, inclusive thing to be part of. It is fabulous for our wellbeing and a unique way to be a part of and contribute to your community. I very much hope we can continue to value its impact and provide opportunities to all to fulfil their potential and find some fun while doing it."
With more than 30 years of senior management experience in higher education, Stewart will take up a new role as Chief Operating Officer at Durham University in August 2025.
Hugely talented people
Professor Shearer West CBE, Vice-Chancellor and President of the University of Leeds, said: "Universities play a pivotal role in society by delivering excellence in research, innovation and community engagement. Our hugely talented people are making a lasting impact both in our region and around the world.
"These well-deserved awards are testament to the commitment and expertise that exists all around our University. I applaud each of our colleagues who have been acknowledged for their remarkable contributions."
Alumni honoured
A number of Leeds alumni have also been recognised in the Honours, including:
Helen Keneally (Foundation Degree Professional Studies in Family Support 2010), Children Centre Manager, North Lincolnshire Council, has been awarded a British Empire Medal (BEM) for services to the community in Lincolnshire.
Nigel Lister (Physics 1990), Environment, Health, Safety, Security and Quality Director at Nuclear Waste Services receives a BEM for services to the nuclear industry and to mountain rescue.
Richard Manning (Law 1966), Chair of United Joint Israel Appeal Programming Leeds, has been awarded a BEM for services to the City of Leeds and to the Jewish Community.
Triathlete Alistair Brownlee MBE (Sport Science and Physiology 2009, Hon LLD 2013) receives an OBE for services to triathlon and charity.
Dr Yvonne Greenstreet (Medicine, 1985) has been awarded an OBE for services to the UK and US biotechnology and life sciences industries.
Across a 30-year career, Yvonne has worked to develop and deliver medicines to improve the lives of patients and to tackle ill health. Dr Greenstreet began her career practicing obstetrics and gynaecology and currently serves as the Chief Executive Officer for Alnylam Pharmaceuticals.
Carin van Doorn (Medicine 1997), Head of Congenital Cardiac Surgery and Consultant Cardiac Surgeon at The Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust, receives an OBE for services to children's heart surgery and to charity.
Theresa Mason (MEd Primary Education 2002), Chair, Bradford Diocesan Academies Trust, has been awarded an OBE for services to education.
Wayne Norrie (Geographical Studies 1994), Chief Executive Officer, The Greenwood Academies Trust, also receives an OBE for services to education.
Professor Andrew Westby (Food Science & Microbiology 1984), Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Research and Knowledge Exchange, University of Greenwich, has been awarded an OBE for services to research in food security and leadership of the Natural Resources Institute.
Stephen Foots (MBA 1994), Chief Executive Officer of Croda, receives a Commander of the British Empire (CBE) for services to the chemical and life sciences industries.
Caroline Cotterell (Economics and History of Scientific Thought 1991), lately Director, Resilient Landscape and Seas, Natural England, has been awarded a CBE for services to the natural environment.
Ian Dyson QPM DL (History 1983), lately Commissioner, City of London Police, receives a CBE for voluntary and charitable services and to policing.
Gabriele Hegerl (Hon DLitt 2018) FRS FRSE, Professor of Climate System Science, University of Edinburgh, has been awarded a CBE for services to climate science
Janet Hughes (English and Psychology 1997), Director General at the UK Cabinet Office, also receives a CBE for public service.
Gary Bennett (MSc Fire and Explosion Engineering 2005), Founder of the Scottish Emergency Rescue Association has been awarded an MBE for services to charity through the support to fire services internationally.
Dennis Ashton (Education 1968) Founder of Stardome, receives an MBE for services to astronomy education and to charity.
Stephen Barnett (MBA 2007), Director of Care Homes, The Royal British Legion, has been awarded an MBE for services to veterans.
Catherine Drew (PGDip Deaf Education 2020), Deputy Head Teacher, Frank Barnes School for Deaf Children, receives an MBE for services to education.
Christine Lingard (MEd Educational Psychology 1989), lately Headteacher at Ravenscliffe High School, West Yorkshire, has been awarded and MBE for services to children and young people with Special Educational Needs.
Alan Perkins (MSc Medical Physics 1979, Honorary Fellow, Royal College of Physicians, receives an MBE for services to patient care and clinical science.
Dr Amanda Wilcox (PhD Biology 1996), University Secretary at Durham University, has been awarded an MBE for services to higher education.
Former staff receive Honours
Professor Lindsay Stringer, Professor of Environment and Development at the University of York has been named as a Medallist of the Order of the British Empire for services to environmental development.
Professor Stringer worked at the University of Leeds from 2007 to 2020 and was Director of the Sustainability Research Institute. In 2015 she was presented with a Women of Achievement Award.
Professor Becky Malby, Founder of the Ilkley Clean River Group and Ilkley Pool and Lido Community Group, has been named a Medallist of the British Empire for services to national river cleanliness and to the community in Ilkley, West Yorkshire.
Professor Malby is a former Director of the Centre for Innovation in Health Management at the University of Leeds.
Susan Yeandle, Professor of Sociology at the University of Sheffield and formerly of the University of Leeds, has been awarded an OBE for services to research into care and caring.
