Wrexham Glyndwr University staff honoured by Welsh Academy

A Wrexham Glyndwr University academic and its Chair of the Board of Governors are among the new entrants to the Learned Society of Wales’ Fellowship.

Professor Peter Excell, Professor Emeritus of Communications in the Faculty of Arts, Science & Technology, and Maxine Penlington OBE join 41 other new Fellows, all of whom share a link with Wales, its universities or intellectual life and are drawn from all specialisms.

Both Fellows have spoken about how honoured they have been to join more than 40 others across Wales who will be admitted to the Society next month.

The Society’s President, Sir Emyr Jones Parry, said of the new intake: “I am delighted to see the election of 43 new Fellows, showing again the talent connected with Wales, which will reinforce the work of the Society, recognising excellence, promoting research and putting our expertise at the disposal of the nation.”

In addition the Society has admitted two new Honorary Fellows, Physicist Dame Jocelyn Bell Burnell – who is also an Honorary Fellow of Wrexham Glyndwr University -and historian Professor Margaret Macmillan.

Sir Emyr said: ‘The election of two such acclaimed Honorary Fellows brings further distinction to the LSW.’

The Fellows from Wrexham Glyndwr University have both spoken about how honoured they feel to be admitted to the Society’s fellowship.

Wrexham Glyndwr University Chair of Governors, Maxine Penlington OBE, said: “I am deeply honoured and enormously grateful to have been elected as a Fellow of the Learned Society of Wales.

“Although the award is made on the basis of my contribution to leadership in the field of higher education across my professional career, it means so much to me personally that my professional life has culminated in the opportunity to lead the Board of Governors at Wrexham Glyndwr University and to support the University's role in the provision of transformational educational opportunities to the people of my home region of North East Wales.

“To have had my contribution recognised in my native land, alongside that of my distinguished academic colleague, Professor Excell, means more than I can express in words."

And Professor Excell – whose Fellowship follows the recent award of a Higher Doctorate from Chester University in March - added: “Election as a Fellow is an immense honour, but, as with my recent award of a higher doctorate, I have to thank the wonderful teams that I have worked with over the years.

“My belief is that this honour will enhance the reputation of Wrexham Glyndwr University and of the teams I have worked with there.

“I also hope this award will encourage some other senior members of the university to apply for Fellowship."
Election to the Fellowship is public recognition of excellence and takes place following a rigorous examination of each nominee’s achievements in their relevant field.

The Society’s Fellowship now numbers 562. Their combined expertise allows the Society to strengthen its contribution to Welsh public life, through its contributions to government policy development, public lectures and seminars and its expanding Wales Studies programme.

The new Fellows will be formally admitted at the Society’s AGM which will be held, remotely this year due to the Covid-19 restrictions, on May 20.