King's Birthday Honours 2026

Emeritus Professor Carol Brayne is made a Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire for services to medicine, medical research and public health. 

Carol held the professorship in public health medicine from 2001 to 2024 and is Senior Visiting Fellow in the Department of Psychiatry. She has been a pioneer of the study of dementia in older people.

“I feel very honoured by this award, especially its recognition of public health. I thank all those with whom I have worked over the decades, including my teams and their leaders, public health colleagues locally, regionally and nationally, my collaborators and those who I have had the privilege to train. I would also thank our study participants, their families and all those who have supported our research programmes making them so valuable for understanding health in ageing societies. And, above all, my family,” she said.

Also being made a Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire is Emeritus Professor Sheila Bird for services to statistics. 

Sheila worked for the MRC Biostatistics Unit (BSU) for more than 35 years, becoming a Programme Leader in 1996. She remains a Visiting Scholar. She has made a significant contribution to the understanding of medical statistics.  

“Of course, I am thrilled to be appointed a Dame. Most importantly, dual recognitions are accorded: to the importance of statistical science in evaluating public health policies. And to hard-to-reach populations, whose health really matters. Research, such as by record-linkage, can make discoveries. When acted upon, these discoveries may lead to notable improvements and make a real difference: even in the ‘forgotten epidemic’ of opioid-related deaths.”

Professor David Abrahams is awarded a CBE for services to Mathematical Sciences. David is Professor of Applied Mathematics and a Fellow of Corpus Christi College. He was Director of the Isaac Newton Institute of Mathematical Sciences from 2016 to 2021. He specialises in the mathematical modelling and analysis of waves in physics and engineering. 

“I have been honoured throughout my career in the mathematical sciences to work with amazing people. Together we have tried to help the UK remain at the forefront of the discipline and to ensure that our endeavours have real impact to society. I am grateful for those who have seen fit to nominate me for this award, which implicitly recognises the huge efforts of all my collaborators.”

Receiving an OBE for services to education is Professor Susan Sentance. Sue is a Research Professor in the Department of Computer Science and Technology and Director of the Raspberry Pi Computing Education Research Centre. The Centre is a joint initiative between the University of Cambridge and the Raspberry Pi Foundation and aims to increase our understanding of computer science. 

"I am deeply honoured to accept this recognition, which reflects the work of many people across education who support young people learning about computing and technology. I am grateful to have worked with so many talented and passionate colleagues in schools and the research community—including the team at the Raspberry Pi Computing Education Research Centre—who share a commitment to broadening participation in computing education. More than ever, educators, policymakers, and researchers must work together to ensure that all children, everywhere, have access to a high-quality computing education."

Dr Arun Gupta receives an MBE for services to medical education. Dr Gupta, a member of St Catharine's College, is Director of the Cambridge Digital Health and Surgical Training Centre. His research focuses on the effects of injury on brain tissue oxygenation and metabolism, for which he was awarded the Macintosh Professorship by the Royal College of Anaesthetists.

“It’s been a real privilege to work alongside clinical and non-clinical colleagues to help develop the Neurosciences Critical Care Unit at CUH in the early 2000’s, and more recently the new Cambridge Digital Health and Surgical Training Centre. I am humbled to receive this honour for services to NeuroCritical Care and Medical Education, and accept this on behalf of the many amazing  people I have been fortunate to work with.”

Congratulations to them all.