Kent staff celebrate honours success

Gary Hughes

We are delighted to report global recognition for several Kent staff as we head into the New Year. Psychologist Professor Dominic Abrams and Kent Business School graduate YolanDa Brown have been included in the New Year Honours 2023, while Rosemary Hunter, Professor of Law and Socio-Legal Studies and Head of Kent Law School, has been appointed Honorary King’s Counsel (KC), as approved by King Charles III during December 2022.

Professor Abrams received an OBE (Order of the British Empire) for services to the social sciences, while YolanDa Brown received an OBE for services to music, music education and broadcasting.

Professor Abrams is one of the UK’s leading social scientists. A chartered psychologist, he holds fellowships of the Academy of the Social Sciences, the American Psychological Society, Society for Experimental Social Psychology, Society for Personality and Social Psychology and European Association of Social Psychology, and has distinguished contribution awards and fellowships from the British Psychological Society and the Society for Psychological Study of Social Issues, of which he was also president. His research in social and developmental psychology focuses particularly on social identity and social inclusion/exclusion. He recently led a Kent team on a Canterbury-based project to reduce vehicle engine idling and in turn improve air quality, especially when there is increased traffic volume at railway level crossings.

YolanDa Brown graduated with first class honours in Undergraduate Master’s in European Management Science from Kent Business School in 2004. Since then she has gone on to build a celebrated career as a saxophonist, composer, bandleader, educator and presenter. She is a double MOBO Awards winner and has contributed to the UK government’s National Plan for Music Education 2022.

Professor Hunter is one of only nine law professionals to have received the Honorary King’s Counsel –  given to those who have made a major contribution to the law of England and Wales, outside practice in the courts. Professor Hunter’s award was bestowed as a result of her scholarly achievements in the study of the Family Justice System, together with her work in the important field of domestic abuse which has directly affected legislative developments.

She said: ‘I am thrilled to receive this award. I owe sincere thanks to those who made and supported my nomination, and all those who have collaborated in, supported and encouraged my work on family justice and domestic abuse over the years.’

Professor Hunter will formally receive her title from the Lord Chancellor during a ceremony at Westminster Hall on 27 March.

Prof Dominic Abrams

YolanDa Brown                                                                                                                      

Rosemary Hunter