Two of St Cross College’s most distinguished fellows, Dr Heather Hamill and Dr Eben Kirksey, have been awarded the Recognition of Distinction award and the title of full professors .
Each year, the Recognition of Distinction Scheme at the University of Oxford bestows the prestigious title of full professor. Those who succeed in specific positions receive title allowances and become eligible for merit pay evaluations. The scheme actively encourages applications from underrepresented groups, and it encompasses a wide range of academic roles. It also recognizes interdisciplinary or multi-divisional contributors, and individuals making significant academic contributions, even if not directly employed by the university, can apply, pending evaluation by the divisional committee.
Prof Heather Hamill's research centres on solving trust and reputation issues, particularly in low-trust environments like high-crime neighbourhoods and illegal organizations. Her work spans various contexts, from informal justice in Northern Ireland to how taxi drivers assess customer trustworthiness. Currently, she's focused on trust challenges due to sub-standard medicines in sub-Saharan Africa. Heather, a former British Academy Postdoctoral Research Fellow, has received research grants from prestigious organizations, including the Russell Sage Foundation, ESRC, Nuffield Foundation, and Wellcome Trust. She has authored notable books, including "Streetwise" and "The Hoods."
Prof Eben Kirksey, a prominent cultural anthropologist, is recognized for his work in multispecies ethnography, linking modern research on various life forms with environmental anthropology and sociology of science. His recent book, "The Mutant Project" (2020), explores the intersection of science and social justice, focusing on gene-editing research in China. Eben, formerly a British Marshall Scholar at Oxford, holds a PhD from the University of California, Santa Cruz, and has taught at prestigious institutions such as Princeton University and Deep Springs College. He played a pivotal role in establishing the Environmental Humanities program at UNSW Sydney in Australia and collaborates with colleagues at the Alfred Deakin Institute in Melbourne.
Heartiest congratulations Professors!
