Sue Hartley named in Queen’s Birthday Honours

Professor Sue Hartley, Director of the York Environmental Sustainability Institute (YESI), has been awarded an OBE (Order of the British Empire) for her services to Ecological Research and Public Engagement.

Professor Hartley leads YESI’s research, which uses interdisciplinary partnerships to generate sustainable solutions to global environmental challenges. She is also the University’s Research Champion for Environmental Sustainability and Resilience, a trustee of Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew and a board member of Natural England (the UK Government’s statutory adviser for the natural environment in England).

Global environmental challenges

Professor Hartley’s research group in the Department of Biology works to understand the interactions between the many organisms that attack our crops, the defences these plants can use to protect themselves, and how a better understanding of those processes can improve both the sustainability of agriculture and agri-environmental policy.

Professor Hartley said: "I am absolutely thrilled and delighted to receive this honour and to be recognised for my contribution to ecology in this way. I've always been passionate about the importance of ecological research, particularly given the global environmental challenges we are all facing at the moment.

“I'm very proud and grateful, and I’d like to thank the many wonderful colleagues who have supported my career for their contribution to this achievement."

Inspirational

Professor Deborah Smith, Pro-Vice-Chancellor for Research at the University of York, said: “Professor Sue Hartley is an inspirational colleague who leads by example – her natural enthusiasm for the living world and concern for its future protection are key drivers in her engagement with colleagues both within and outside University. 

“Sue is a persuasive and passionate advocate for science in its many forms, engaging our students and enhancing public understanding of complex issues with considerable aplomb.

“I am delighted to congratulate Sue on the award of this Honour: she is a Champion in every sense of the word and fully deserving of this timely recognition for her many contributions.”