Glittering prizes

Astronomer Patrick Moore is to receive a special millennial award from the Council of the Royal Astronomical Society in recognition of his unique contribution to astronomy.

Sam Beer, Eaton professor of government at Harvard Univer-sity, has been awarded the first Sir Isaiah Berlin Prize for lifetime commitment to political studies.

Peter Hutton, head of anaesthesia and intensive care at the University of Birmingham, has been elected president of the Royal College of Anaesthetists.

Clive Field, librarian and director of information services at Birmingham, has been elected chair of the board of directors of the Consortium of University Research Libraries.

Imperial College has awarded honorary degrees to: Peter Doherty, Nobel prize winner for physiology of medicine (DSc); Susan Lyons, managing director of defence (Europe), Rolls-Royce Military Aero Engines (DSc); and Lord Turnberg, former professor of medicine, University of Manchester, (DSc). It will award an honorary degree next year to Sir Paul Nurse, director-general and head of cell cycle laboratory, Imperial Cancer Research Fund (DSc).

The University of Newcastle has awarded honorary degrees to: Terry Farrell, architect and principal of Terry Farrell & Partners (DCL); Ann Pettifor, co-founder and director of the International Jubilee 2000 coalition (DCL); Adetokunbo Lucas, professor of international health, Harvard University (DSc); and John Parnaby, director of Scottish Power plc and Jarvis plc (DEng).