Reading Professor recognised in the New Year Honours

Wednesday, 05 January 2011

Professor Michael Fulford CBE

Professor Michael Fulford, Professor of Archaeology and Director of the Silchester Town Life Project, received a CBE in the New Year Honours announced on 31 December 2010.

Professor Fulford has been recognised for services to scholarship. He chairs the University's Committee for the Museum of English Rural Life, the Committee for Museums, Archives and Collections, and the Forum for Rural Research. His principal research interests are in Roman archaeology, particularly in the fields of urbanism, economy, material culture, technology and trade.

He was elected Fellow of the British Academy in 1994 and is currently Treasurer and Vice-President, having previously served as Chair of the Committee for Academy-Sponsored Schools and Institutes.

Professor Fulford was promoted Professor of Archaeology at the University of Reading in 1988, following previous appointments as Reader (1985) and Lecturer (1974). He has served as Dean of the former Faculty of Letters and Social Sciences (1994-7) and Pro-Vice-Chancellor for Teaching and Learning (1998-2004).

Professor Bill Finlayson, Visiting Professor in Archaeology, was awarded an OBE for services to international relations. Bill is also the Director of the British Council for Research in the Levant, Amman, Jordan.

Sir Simon Lawrance Gass, current British Ambassador to Iran and a University of Reading Law graduate (LLB, 1977) was appointed Knight Commander of the Order of St Michael and St George (KCMG).

Professor Tim Wilson, former Vice-Chancellor of the University of Hertfordshire (as of 31 December 2010) was also awarded a knighthood. Professor Wilson graduated from the University of Reading with a BSc in Mathematics and Computer Science in 1970.

University of Reading alumnus, Stephen Blackmore, Regius Keeper, Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh, has been awarded a CBE, for services to plant conservation.