IRG3 collaborator Nick Pidgeon learned this week that he had been awarded an MBE, which stands for Member of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire. It is one of five designations – the pinnacle being knighthood – in the order of chivalry established by King George V in 1917 and now codified as “the honours system” in the United Kingdom. Awardees are selected for “achievements in public life and commitment to serving and helping Britain,” according to the UK government website. The MBE specifically “is awarded for a significant achievement or outstanding service to the community.” Nominees are vetted by a government committee, then approved by both the Prime Minister and the Queen. In other words, MBE is an impressive mark of distinction.

Pidgeon was chosen for “his services to climate change awareness and energy security policy” according to a press release issued by Cardiff University, his home institution. The entire release is reproduced below:

Professor Nick Pidgeon from the School of Psychology has been awarded an MBE in the Queen’s Birthday honours for his services to climate change awareness and energy security policy.

As director of the Understanding Risk Research Group, together with his colleagues, Professor Pidgeon investigates public attitudes towards and engagement with environmental and technological risk issues; including those of climate change, climate engineering, nanotechnologies, and energy systems.

Speaking of the award, he said: "I am delighted to receive this honour, but would also like to thank my many colleagues in the Understanding Risk Research Group at the Cardiff School of Psychology. The award reflects the internationally recognised research that is conducted by them, and the collective efforts of the Understanding Risk group to engage that research with national environmental policy issues.

"Climate change and energy are two of the most important policy challenges facing British society today, and engaging the public has a vital place in moving the debate on these issues forward."

Vice Chancellor Professor Colin Riordan congratulated Professor Pidgeon on his accolade:

"I am extremely pleased for Nick, who has worked tirelessly to ensure that the dangers of climate change remain firmly embedded in the public’s consciousness and at the centre of political debate. Climate change is certainly one of the century’s biggest destabilising forces, and it is greatly encouraging to know that there are world-leading academics here at Cardiff devoted to addressing these issues."

Since coming to Cardiff in 2006, Professor Pidgeon has chaired the cross-party Parliamentary Inquiry on the scope for political consensus on climate change. The inquiry recommended the establishment of the UK’s Climate Change Committee. Professor Pidgeon also regularly advises both the UK and Welsh Governments.

As well as being part of the research team at the Sustainable Places Research Institute, he is the Human Dimensions Theme Leader for C3W; the Climate Change Consortium of Wales.