Each year to mark the monarch’s birthday, extraordinary people from all walks of life across the UK are rewarded for their service and achievements in public life, receiving orders of chivalry or official honours.
Five members of the University community have been recognised in the King’s Birthday Honours List 2025.
Infectious diseases
Rowland Kao, Professor of Veterinary Epidemiology and Data Science at the Roslin Institute, part of the Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies, is being made a Commander of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (OBE) for his services to science and technology, specifically his work in mathematics and infectious disease dynamics.
Professor Kao’s career spans three decades in infectious disease research.
His focus is on understanding the movement and spread of infectious diseases among and between populations of wildlife, livestock and people. He has applied this to the understanding of key diseases including tuberculosis and Covid-19.
Professor Rowland Kao
I am honoured to be chosen for this award, and am especially pleased to see this recognition for animal science research. This underscores the importance of research in infectious animal diseases, and recognises its contribution to public health, through the wider efforts of many researchers and collaborators.”
I am continually thankful for the hard work, skills, and creativity that colleagues and collaborators bring to everything I do, and am indebted to them for making it a pleasure.
Nobel winner
Gabri Hegerl, Professor of Climate System Science, is being made a Commander of the Order of the British Empire for her services to climate science.
Prof Hegerl's research focuses on the causes of climate change and the causes and consequences of extreme events.
She has also been involved in International Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) reports and work with the world climate research programme on setting priorities for climate research.
In 2007 her work for the IPCC was jointly recognised by the 2007 Nobel Peace Prize, which the Panel shared with Al Gore.
Professor Gabi Hegerl
Outdoor education
Professor Peter Higgins, Chair in Outdoor Environmental & Sustainability Education at Moray House School of Education and Sport, is being made an Officer of the Order of the British Empire for services to the environment and outdoor education.
Prof Higgins is a member of a number of national and international panels and advisory groups on outdoor and environmental education and education for sustainable development.
He has acted in advisory capacity to the UK and Scottish Governments on outdoor, environmental and sustainability education, access to the countryside, land reform and related environmental issues.
Mentoring women
Ursula Martin, Professor Emerita of the School of Informatics, has been appointed Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire (DBE) for services to Science and Education.
Professor Martin is a steadfast advocate and mentor for women in computer science and mathematics, leading initiatives in the UK and US.
Her research, initially in algebra, logic and the use of computers to create mathematical proofs, broadened to encompass wider social and cultural approaches to understanding the circulation and impact of computer science and mathematics.
She has also worked at the Universities of Cambridge, St Andrews and Illinois, and at Queen Mary University of London. She is a Fellow of both the Royal Academy of Engineering and the Royal Society of Edinburgh.
Professor Ursula Martin
I am delighted and humbled to receive this honour. I truly appreciate my good fortune in working with colleagues from so many disciplines within and beyond the UK, in organisations ranging from high-tech companies to libraries and museums.
Equine welfare
Professor Natalie Waran has been made an Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE).
This prestigious award recognises Professor Waran’s services to equine welfare, research, and education across multiple organisations worldwide.
This includes her work at the Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies as inaugural Director of the Jeanne Marchig International Centre for Animal Welfare Education, and more recently as an Honorary Professor.
Professor Waran is a globally recognised leader in animal welfare science who has been instrumental in developing evidence-based educational programmes that enhance the understanding and assessment of animals' quality of life.
Professor Natalie Waran
I am deeply honoured to receive this OBE, which I see as recognition of not just of my own work, but also the collaborative efforts of countless colleagues, students and organisations who have worked hard to develop our understanding of horse welfare needs and promote a good life for horses.
I'm genuinely grateful to my University of Edinburgh colleagues for their collaborative support over many years, in advancing animal welfare research and education.
Photo credits: Rowland Kao - University of Edinburgh ; Gabi Hegerl - The Royal Society under Creative Commons; Ursula Martin - University of Oxford;
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