King’s Birthday Honours for LJMU staff

LJMU academics have been honoured by the Monarchy for their work in policing and in sport.

Veteran policing expert Peter Williams from the Liverpool Centre for Advanced Policing Studies and athletics coach Dr Nicola Robinson, from Sport and Exercise Sciences, were recognised in King Charles’ Birthday Honours along with newly-appointed Adjunct Professor Serena Kennedy, also in LCAPS.

A reflection on the university

Peter, a former police inspector, who joined LJMU in 2014, is one of LJMU’s most recognisable experts as a regular media commentator on everything from terrorism to police funding to the Southport attack.

He is honoured for his huge contribution to the education of officers, with a 30-year track record in training recruits at the Open University, Teesside and LJMU pioneering distance learning, diplomas and degrees for undergraduate, postgraduate and workplace learning.

The senior lecturer, who now works part-time, said: “I’m personally pleased for my family and I’d like to thanks LCAPS colleague for my nomination and the centre’s leadership for giving me the leeway to work as I have. I hope this honour reflects on LCAPS and on the university.”

'Overwhelmed with gratitude'

In sport, Dr Nicola Robinson receives her MBE in recognition of services to Pentathlon from establishing and lead coaching in the North West Pentathlon Hub to Chairing the World Pentathlon Para Commission. Through inclusive activity and research, Nicola has helped bring the sport to more people in the UK and globally.

The former student and sport scholar competed her PhD in cardiovascular physiology in 2011 and has served as the English Institute of Sport’s lead physiologist for British Para-Swimming, where she accompanied the team to the London 2012 Olympic Games.

Dr Robinson said: "I am overwhelmed with gratitude. Modern pentathlon is an extraordinary sport with five disciplines, one athlete and a lifetime of challenge and adventure. I fell in love with it, and it has been my life's mission to share that joy as widely as possible.

“What excites me most is how sport can genuinely transform how people see themselves and each other. This honour is a celebration of every athlete who dared to try something new, every family who trusted us, and every colleague who shared the vision.”