University News Last updated 03 January 2023
A folk musician and lecturer at Royal Birmingham Conservatoire (RBC) and a senior lecturer in psychology at the School of Social Sciences are amongst members of the Birmingham City University (BCU) community recognised in the New Year Honours list.
Joe Broughton, director of the Conservatoire Folk Ensemble, has been awarded a British Empire Medal (BEM) for ‘services to music’, whilst Dr Atiya Kamal will receive a Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) for ‘services to health psychology during Covid’.
The Conservatoire Folk Ensemble has 60 band members drawn from current and former RBC students. The group has performed at UK and European concert halls, festivals and venues for 26 years, showcasing talent from across many different music disciplines and instruments at the world-renowned Conservatoire – with Joe Broughton at the helm as bandleader, arranger and director.
Joe Broughton BEM said: "It’s amazing to get this kind of recognition for working with the Folk Ensemble over the last 26 years, as well as other projects that have led me to meet and work with many thousands of young musicians from around the world.
“I’ve been running workshops in music for 32 years now and have seen the transformative effect that music can have on people from all walks of life.
During the pandemic, Senior Lecturer in Psychology at BCU’s School of Social Sciences Dr Atiya Kamal played a crucial role in helping to understand the psychological impact of Covid-19 on the public, developing ways of supporting those who were struggling, as part of a wider effort during the pandemic.
The psychologist’s work has been acknowledged as making a significant contribution to the field and has helped to improve the well-being of countless individuals.
Dr Kamal MBE said: “Many thanks to my research team, colleagues and wider academic community along with many others for their ongoing support.
Eileen McAuliffe, Executive Dean of the Faculty of Business, Law, and Social Sciences at Birmingham City University said: “We are all incredibly proud of Atiya and her achievements, and this MBE is well-deserved recognition of her tireless efforts.”
University alumnus and honorary doctorate recipient, comedian, broadcaster and author Frank Skinner was also recognised with an MBE for his ‘services to entertainment’, following three decades of appearances and performances spanning stand-up comedy to award-winning radio shows.
Frank Skinner MBE said on receiving the award: “I think it’s brilliant. I deal mainly in laughs and applause and they disappear into the air quite quickly. So getting a proper medal that you can hold on to and polish regularly feels (it) has given my career a sense of permanence that I like.”
John Crabtree OBE, Lord Lieutenant of the West Midlands and also holder of an honorary doctorate award from BCU, was knighted in the New Year Honours for ‘services to sport and community in the West Midlands’, after chairing the organising committee of the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games.
The New Year Honours List for 2023 is described as recognising ‘the achievements and service of extraordinary people across the UK’.