Bernard Binks
A professor of physical chemistry at the University of Hull has won a prestigious European prize for his work with nanoparticles. Bernard Binks, who was awarded the ECIS-Rhodia Prize by the European Colloid and Interface Society, began his academic life at Hull as a student, studying for an undergraduate degree in chemistry and continuing to a doctorate. He then spent a year in France at the Ecole Normale Superieure as a postdoctoral assistant before returning to Hull to take up the role of lecturer in chemistry in 1991. He was appointed reader in physical chemistry in 1998 and was made a professor in 2003. Professor Binks, who is also leader of the Surfactant and Colloid Group at Hull, has been working on the creation of "dry water": the mixing of water with nanoparticles, such as silica, and air to create a powder that reverts to its liquid form when it comes into contact with skin. He paid tribute to the team at Hull, which he said deserved recognition for his achievement, but added that he was also proud on a personal level. "I was at the first ECIS conference in 1987, so in many ways my story has come full circle," he said. "I never imagined that I'd be getting recognition like this when I started out on my career."
Gary Reid
An experienced US broadcaster has been honoured by the Michigan Association of Broadcasters (MAB) with a Lifetime Achievement Award. Gary Reid holds a variety of roles at Michigan State University, including distinguished senior academic specialist in the department of telecommunication, information studies and media; associate director of the Quello Center for Telecommunication Management and Law; and general manager of Impact 89FM, Michigan State's student radio station. He has taught at the institution since 1977. Between 2003 and 2010, Mr Reid produced weekly radio and internet addresses for the Michigan governor's office. In 2007, he was inducted into the MAB Hall of Fame, and he has also received accolades from the Academy of Television Arts and Sciences, the National Association of Independent Record Distributors and American Women in Radio and Television. Mr Reid said he was "literally a little bit in shock" when he found out about the award, attributing his success to his students. "I've been so blessed, and so honoured, by having such marvellous students over the years who have gone on to successful careers in the broadcasting industry," he said. "They are more responsible for this award than I am."
Clarence D. Armbrister
For Clarence D. Armbrister, the new senior vice-president and chief of staff at Johns Hopkins University, a career is not about personal glory but "getting the job done". Dr Armbrister studied for his undergraduate degree in political science and economics at the University of Pennsylvania and went on to gain a professional doctorate in law from the University of Michigan. He worked in the law industry as a public-finance expert before being appointed treasurer of the City of Philadelphia, a role he carried out between 1994 and 1996. He went on to further public service as the managing director of the School District of Philadelphia between 1996 and 1999. He worked in industry between 1999 and 2003 before joining the higher education sector: he was executive vice-president and chief operating officer at Temple University from 2003 to 2007. Dr Armbrister then returned to politics, serving as chief of staff to Michael A. Nutter, the mayor of Philadelphia, but said that a return to higher education had always been on the cards. "I had always thought of returning after my public-sector work," he said. On the topic of what he might bring to his new role, he said: "I like to think that I'm collegial. I'm a team player, interested in trying to get things done and achieve overall objectives. It's not about glory: it's about trying to get the job done."
David Gill
A scholar who was entranced by his subject as a child has received an Outstanding Public Service Award from the Archaeological Institute of America for raising awareness of the threats posed by the international antiquities trade. David Gill, reader in Mediterranean archaeology at Swansea University, was praised by the institute for bringing the issue to the public's attention via his blog, Looting Matters, which he founded in collaboration with Christopher Chippindale, curator of the Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology at the University of Cambridge. Dr Gill said his love of archaeology could be traced to childhood walks around a Roman town. "I got the archaeology bug and took it from there," he said. He studied for his first degree at Newcastle University and received his doctorate from Lincoln College, Oxford. After spending a year at the British School at Rome, Dr Gill returned to the UK to take up the Sir James Knott Fellowship at Newcastle. He then became a museum assistant in research at the Fitzwilliam Museum, University of Cambridge, before joining Swansea in 1992.
OTHER CHANGES
Ieuan Ellis, dean of the Faculty of Health and Social Sciences at Leeds Metropolitan University, has been elected chair of the Council of Deans of Health.
The University of Salford has appointed Allan Walker head of its School of Art and Design. Professor Walker is currently deputy director of the Glasgow School of Art.
The Higher Education Funding Council for England has appointed Martin Day, vice-principal of the ifs School of Finance, to its Teaching, Quality and the Student Experience Strategic Committee. Mr Day becomes the first member of a private higher education provider to be appointed to one of Hefce's strategic advisory committees.
The University for the Creative Arts has announced the appointment of Simon Ofield-Kerr as vice-chancellor. Dr Ofield-Kerr is currently dean of the Faculty of Art, Design and Architecture at Kingston University.
Michelle Lowe has joined the University of Southampton as assistant dean (enterprise) in the Faculty of Business and Law. Professor Lowe has moved from the University of Surrey, where she was professor of management. She is also deputy director of the Economic and Social Research Council's Retail Industry Business Engagement Network.
Sally Haw has joined the University of Stirling as professor of public and population health. Prior to her appointment, Professor Haw was senior scientific adviser to the Scottish Collaboration for Public Health Research and Policy.
Steve Fuller has been appointed to the Auguste Comte chair in social epistemology at the University of Warwick. Professor Fuller has been a professor of sociology at the institution since 1999.