Professor Spiegelhalter’s background is in medical statistics, particularly the use of Bayesian methods in clinical trials, health technology assessment and drug safety.
In his post, he leads a small team that attempts to improve the way in which the quantitative aspects of risk and uncertainty are discussed in society.
He also works closely with the Millennium Mathematics Project in trying to bring risk and uncertainty into education.
He is a fellow of Churchill College, Cambridge, a Fellow of the Royal Society and has a string of honorary fellowships and doctorates.
Speaking on the announcement Sir David said: "Work on statistics doesn't usually get much attention, and so it's a bit of a surprise to get such a great honour for doing things with numbers. And of course I am indebted to all the people that I've collaborated with in Cambridge and elsewhere."
Professor Jeremy Sanders is appointed a CBE for services to Scientific Research. Professor Sanders is the University’s Pro-Vice-Chancellor for Institutional Affairs, responsible for policy and strategy in the areas of human resources, environment, relationships with the local community and public engagement.
A Fellow of Selwyn College, he was previously Head of the Department of Chemistry and Head of the School of Physical Sciences. He also led the University's 800th Anniversary celebrations in 2009.
Professor Sanders' research into fundamental aspects of molecular behaviour has been recognised by the Royal Society, which elected him as a Fellow in 1995 and awarded him the Davy Medal in 2009.
On hearing the news he said: "As Pro-Vice-Chancellor for Institutional Affairs, I am responsible for the University's 10,000 staff, for its Environment and Energy policy, for the North West Cambridge development and for the University's relationships with the local community and councils. In the latter context I've been very involved in the City Deal negotiations with Whitehall. It is a great privilege to serve the University and the Cambridge community in this role, and it is also a great privilege to have been able to pursue my own research career. It is a huge pleasure that my small contribution, most of which should be credited to my research group and administrative colleagues, has been recognised in this way."
Dr Helen Mason, Reader in Solar Physics in the Department of Applied Mathematics and Theoretical Physics, is appointed OBE for services to Higher Education and to Women in Science, Engineering and Technology.
As a solar physicist and Senior Tutor at St Edmunds College, Dr Mason has led and contributed towards many successful science communication groups, participated in many outreach projects and given science presentations to audiences at summer music festivals including Glastonbury.
In 2010 she was named by the Royal Astronomical Society as a Woman of Outstanding Achievement in recognition of her inspirational work in communication within Science, Engineering and Technology (SET).
She is internationally recognised as a researcher in atomic astrophysics and currently leads the Sun | Trek project which investigates the Sun and its effects on the Earth.
“It is a great honour, and a humbling experience to be recognised for the work I have done not only for the University of Cambridge, DAMTP and St Edmunds, but also with UK teachers and schools.”
Professor Barry Rider is appointed OBE for services to the Prevention of Economic Crime.
A Fellow Commoner at Jesus College and sometime Fellow, Tutor, Director of Studies and Dean there, Professor Rider is a Professorial Fellow in the Centre for Development Studies.
His main areas of research are the role of the law in promoting integrity and in particular the identification and management of legal and regulatory risk associated with the inter-play of different legal systems and the civil and criminal law.
He has written and contributed to numerous books on such issues as insider dealing, market abuse, money laundering and governance. He is also a respected corporate and financial lawyer.
Ray Jobling is appointed MBE for services to Pharmacy Education and Regulation.
An Emeritus Fellow and former Senior Tutor at St John’s College, Ray Jobling is a Lay Member of the General Pharmaceutical Council.
His teaching has always economic and social issues and public policy concerns as its principal focus. In particular he is interested in the Sociology of health, illness and medical care. Most of his work has been on the impact of chronic illness and its treatment on patients.
Ray has held successive non-executive appointments in the governance framework of the NHS in Cambridgeshire. For eight years he was Chairman of Cambridge Community Health Council.
He had responsibility for the development of the University’s Disability Resource Centre and chaired the Committee on University Health Services.
Dr Pete Wothers is appointed MBE for services to Chemistry.
Dr Wothers is a Teaching Fellow in the Department of Chemistry and a Fellow and Director of Studies in Chemistry at St Catharine’s College. Aside from lecturing to Natural Science undergraduates at Cambridge, he is involved with a number of projects bridging the transition between sixth-form and university.
He was instrumental in developing the syllabus for the Chemistry Pre-University qualification and acted as the Senior Examiner for the final years of the Chemistry STEP before it was replaced first by the Advanced Extension Awards, and then the A*.
For over ten years Peter has been involved with the Chemistry Olympiad, organised by the Royal Society of Chemistry, setting challenging papers for year 13 students.
He organised the 41st International Chemistry Olympiad in Cambridge in 2009. Peter is heavily involved in promoting chemistry to young students and members of the public and has fronted the lectures at the department for the Cambridge Science Festival for over 15 years.
He was awarded the 2011 President's Award by the Royal Society of Chemistry for his out-reach activities. He has a keen interest in the history of chemistry and has amassed a significant collection of early works on the subject.
Professor David Spiegelhalter, The Winton Professor for the Public Understanding of Risk in the Department of Applied Mathematics and Theoretical Physics, is appointed a Knight Bachelor for services to Statistics.
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