Recognition in New Year’s Honours for leading York academics

Recognition in New Year's Honours for leading York academics

Posted on 30 December 2025

Three University of York academics have been recognised in the King's New Year honours.

Professor Avtar Matharu, a leading researcher in the Department of Chemistry, has been awarded an MBE in recognition of his services to equality, diversity, and inclusion across the University and wider community.

Community cohesion

Dee Dyas, Emeritus Professor of the History of Christianity in the Department of History, has been awarded an OBE for services to theology and heritage.

And Professor Brian Ferguson from the Department of Health Sciences has been honoured with an MBE for services to public health research and his work with the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR).

Professor Matharu is an ardent advocate for human rights and all faiths, with his vision for community cohesion and commitment to interfaith work, both locally and nationally.

His commitment to peace, dialogue, and community cohesion is driven by a gentle yet decisive leadership style that successfully connects different faiths and addresses racial inequalities.

Under his guidance, Professor Matharu elevated the York Interfaith Group, galvanising people from all faith groups to work together with the City of York Council, York and North Yorkshire Combined Authority, and North Yorkshire Police to tackle critical issues like hate crime and discrimination-a collective achievement previously considered insurmountable.

During moments of significant community tension, such as the Israel/Gaza conflict, Professor Matharu proactively brought together local faith leaders to promote dialogue and reduce local friction.

Within the University of York, Professor Matharu is an exemplary role model for inclusion. He serves on the Chemistry departmental Equality and Diversity Group, which secured the highest award in the Athena Swan Charter in 2018 for advancing gender equality in higher education.

Flagship projects

Professor Dyas served for almost 25 years as Director of the Centre for the Study of Christianity & Culture, which she founded in 1999.

She also established the Centre for Pilgrimage Studies. Her research and publications include the history of pilgrimage through the centuries and the influence of Christianity on art, architecture, literature, music, law, community, and social care.

Professor Dyas, a Fellow of the Royal Historical Society, has spent many years advising those managing historic churches and cathedrals on strategies and resources to enhance visitor engagement and enjoyment for people from all backgrounds.

She was Principal Investigator on a large three-year Arts and Humanities Research Council funded project on Pilgrimage and England's Cathedrals, Past and Presentwhich examined the history and potential of these flagships of the church heritage sector which attract millions of visitors each year.

She was also Principal Investigator on the multidisciplinary 'Covid-19, Churches and Communities' research project (2020-22) which explored the impact of the Covid-related closure of church buildings, and the tens of thousands of support services they host, on the wellbeing of individuals and communities.

Extraordinary expertise

Professor Brian Ferguson from the Department of Health Sciences has been honoured with an MBE for services to public health research and his work with the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR).

Professor Ferguson has worked across academia, the NHS and Civil Service in a 40 year career in the health field.

In 2020 Professor Ferguson was appointed as the new NIHR Public Health Research Programme Directorand undertook this role until July 2025.

He is currently Public Health Strategic Advisor to NIHR, whose mission is to improve the health and wealth of the nation through research.

Professor Ferguson was previously Deputy Director in the Centre for Health Economics at the University of York, the founding Professor of Health Economics in the University of Leeds, and since 2013 has also been Chief Economist and Deputy Director of Strategy at Public Health England.

Vice-Chancellor Professor Charlie Jeffery paid tribute to all three recipients. He said: "These honours reflect the extraordinary expertise and compassion at York, with our academics really making a difference to people's lives and the world around us.

"Avtar is a tireless bridge-builder across faiths, while Dee's world-leading research broadens our understanding of the modern resurgence of UK pilgrimage. Brian's 40-year legacy has helped shape public health policy. It is a privilege to call them colleagues, and as a community we celebrate their well-deserved success."

Professor Matharu, said: "It is an honour to receive this award, but the real reward is seeing communities strengthen through dialogue and mutual respect. Building bridges requires consistent effort and presence, especially when addressing complex issues like discrimination and inequality.

"I would like to thank all my colleagues, previous and current, and family. I am privileged to work with them. This honour is as much theirs. I look forward to continuing this vital work, focusing on what unites us to create a more inclusive future for all."

Exceptional colleagues

Professor Dyas added: 'I am thrilled that this honour recognises the value of history, heritage, and the Humanities more widely, in an increasingly complex and uncertain world.

"Without an understanding of where we have come from, we are ill-equipped to manage the challenges of the present or plan for the future.

"I have been privileged to work with exceptional colleagues at the University of York, as well as scholars across the world and leading practitioners in bodies such as Historic England, the Church of England Church Buildings Division, and the Association of English Cathedrals."

Professor Ferguson said: "I'm delighted to receive this honour and feel that the University of York has played a huge part in my career. The university will always be my academic home and an institution of which I've always been proud to be part."

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