* Cornelius Katona, professor of psychiatry of the elderly at the Royal Free and University College Medical School, has been named dean of the University of Kent's Institute of Medicine and Health Sciences. He is also dean of the Royal College of Psychiatrists.
* The University of the West of England has confirmed the following professorial appointments in the faculty of the built environment: Martin Boddy, formerly at the University of Bristol, is associate dean with responsibility for research and consultancy; Glenn Lyons, formerly at the University of Southampton, is professor of transport; Ming Sun, from Salford University, will lead construction innovation research; and Marilyn Taylor, formerly at the University of Brighton, is professor of urban governance and regeneration.
* Sheffield Hallam University lecturer Archie Markham is in the running for the T. S. Eliot Prize with his latest poetry collection, A Rough Climate.
* The Royal Northern College of Music has elected as honorary fellows: Mark Elder, music director of the Halle Orchestra and Olivier award winner; James Gourlay, head of the School of Wind and Percussion; Colin Matthews, member of the council of the Society for the Promotion of New Music and associate composer with the Halle Orchestra; John Turner, performer, writer, editor, publisher and composer. The college has made the following honorary members: Philip Edwards, lighting manager at the RNCM Opera Theatre; and Paul Lee, senior partner and chairman of the board of Addleshaw Booth & Co, chairman of the Royal Exchange Theatre Company and chairman of the board of governors of Chetham's School of Music.