Birkbeck student awarded MBE in Queen’s Birthday Honours
Anne-Marie Canning, who studies Public Policy and Management at Birkbeck, was recognised in the Honours for services to higher education.
Birkbeck student Anne-Marie Canning has been awarded an MBE for services to higher education in the Queen’s 2018 Birthday Honours. She is currently studying on Birkbeck’s MSc Public Policy and Management, while working full-time for King’s College London as Director of Social Mobility and Student Services. In this role, she leads on research into what works in social mobility and has responsibility for student success at King’s.
She is also the independent chair of the Bradford opportunity area, an initiative from the Department for Education focused on promoting social mobility in the 12 areas of the country where it is most challenged, and has served as a member of the Universities UK ministerial social mobility advisory group.
Anne-Marie said: “Widening participation is not just my job, it’s been the story of my life. I am over the moon that my work to help young people and mature learners access education and thrive at university has been recognised with this honour. There is still much to do and this MBE will help me continue making change. I can’t wait to go to the Palace with my family.”
Discussing her experiences at Birkbeck, she said: “I’ve been lucky to have some particularly brilliant teachers at Birkbeck. Firstly, Ben Worthy who made Friday night lectures something to look forward to. His teaching was superlative and I could feel the synapses crackling during his classes. Secondly, Sarah Childs who reignited my feminist sensibilities and brought a boombox to our seminars. Thirdly, my classmates. The classes at Birkbeck are full of interesting people from all walks and stages of life. They are brimming with real-world experiences and our debates are enriched by storytelling and sharing. Studying at Birkbeck has been the most intellectually rewarding experience of my life.”
Professor Sarah Childs said: "Many congratulations to Anne Marie on her award. Absolutely committed to social mobility, I had the pleasure of seeing her work at King's showcased at a Parliamentary reception only a month ago. Anne Marie is clearly highly deserving of this award. She is also an excellent Birkbeck student: keen to participate in class and always with insightful comments, probing questions, and the kind of contributions that make for highly enjoyable academic evenings. She is just the kind of student who makes Birkbeck such an excellent learning and teaching experience."