University of York staff recognised in King’s Birthday Honours
Posted on 14 June 2025
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Dr Wayne Campbell and Professor Lindsay Stringer
Professor Lindsay Stringer was recognised for her work on environmental development, while Dr Wayne Campbell was honoured for services to the student community and higher education.
Professor Stringer, awarded an MBE, is the Associate Director of the Leverhulme Centre for Anthropocene Biodiversity and Director of the York Environmental Sustainability Institute at the University of York.
Dr Campbell, honoured with an OBE, retired from York last January after more than 20 years in senior higher education roles. In 2024, the University awarded Wayne an honorary degree to mark his contributions to the University and generations of students.
Inspiration
Vice-Chancellor, Professor Charlie Jeffery, paid tribute to both recipients. He said: “I am incredibly proud to see Lindsay and Wayne recognised in the King’s Birthday Honours.
“As an award-winning environmental scientist, Lindsay’s pioneering research into the intricate links between people and the environment has not only deepened our understanding but has directly driven crucial policy changes. Her work in managing risks related to land use, climate change, biodiversity, and livelihoods exemplifies the profound public good that can come from dedicated scientific endeavour."
“Wayne is a true inspiration, who consistently dedicated his work to fostering the growth and potential of countless students and staff. The impact he's had, highlighted by his Honorary Degree nomination from our students, truly speaks to the enduring legacy he's built in developing people to deliver their best.”
Policy changes
Professor Stringer’s research, which has led to important policy changes, aims to understand the relationships between people and the environment and has important implications for managing risks in relation to land use, climate change, biodiversity and livelihoods.
She has a leading role in two UN bodies, the Intergovernmental Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES) and the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC). IPCC and IPBES were jointly awarded the Gulbenkian Prize for Humanity in 2022.
Her work engages with research users, and her leadership has been instrumental in informing international policy through the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD), improving much degraded land around the world, and helping to prepare better agricultural policy.
She is the chair or senior member of at least a dozen international bodies and has been awarded a Philip Leverhulme Prize for her work on environmental change and sustainable development in drylands. In 2015, she was presented with a Women of Achievement Award and in 2017 she won the Royal Society Wolfson Research Merit Award.
Public good
Professor Stringer said: “It's wonderful to have this honour to recognise my efforts in supporting environmental development.
“Through working in large, international, interdisciplinary teams, I would like to thank all those colleagues and friends, both at the University of York and all over the world, who help our collaborative research deliver a positive impact for public good.
“There's still plenty of work to be done though. It's both vital and urgent that we reduce our current levels of environmental degradation and at the same time ensure that no one is left behind.”
Dr Campbell joined York in 2019, as the first black Academic Registrar at a Russell Group university. He played a leading role in the University’s response to the Covid pandemic and the cost of living crisis, setting up a £6m sector-leading support package for students
He also addressed some of the most challenging aspects of student life - sexual misconduct, mental health and racism. This included building a Conduct and Respect Team, recognised in the sector for their work addressing sexual violence in the student community.
He also set up a Student Community Cohesion Steering Group to support students in creating an inclusive culture on campus and a Student Expert Panel which advises on issues facing underrepresented students - making real changes to how we teach.
In addition, he led an initiative to establish a York-wide, multi-stakeholder housing group to develop a city-wide housing strategy for York to address student accommodation issues, providing students with the support they needed.
Collaboration
Dr Campbell said: "I am honoured and delighted to accept an OBE for my services to Higher Education. This award does not just reflect my personal commitment and passion for our students and the student experience over the years, but the constructive and collaborative support I have received from Students' Unions, university staff and senior colleagues such as the Vice-Chancellor. In my mind this is a team award and I feel extremely privileged to be the recipient."
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