MBE awarded to Professor Jane Core

Professor Jane Core, former Director of Student and Library Services at Northumbria has been awarded an MBE in the Queen’s Birthday 2019 Honours List. 

Jane, who retired last year after almost 20-years with the University, has been appointed a Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) for her outstanding services to Higher Education. She joined Northumbria in 2001 and made a significant contribution to the transformation of student learning, helping to ensure the University became a sector leader in the provision of student and library services. She established Northumbria’s Library as the first in UK Higher Education to offer 24/7 access to library collections and accompanying support services.  In 2017 she oversaw the completion of the award-winning Student Central, a multi-million-pound investment transforming the main University library and centralising all student support services in one place at the heart of the campus.

Beyond Northumbria, Jane received national and international praise for her role as Chair of the Executive Board of SCONUL – the professional body for national and university libraries in the UK and Ireland. She was also instrumental in developing innovative change programmes within Higher Education, including services designed to detect and prevent plagiarism.  

Jane has been professionally involved in many national and international programmes and activities working closely with JISC, the sector body supporting Higher Education and research into digital resources and developing new technologies and ways of working.

Jane said she was humbled and honoured to receive the award.

“This honour reflects upon the significant and positive impact that professional support teams have in helping students to achieve their best at University. Northumbria's student and library services alongside Student Central itself will serve future students for many years, and I congratulate the colleagues who worked so hard to achieve that, and who continue to be recognised for excellence in professional support. I’m grateful to have worked with students and staff whose passion for providing the best possible access to education and support for student learning has been inspirational,” she said.

Vice-Chancellor Andrew Wathey, added: “I am delighted to see Professor Jane Core’s achievements recognised in this way. This is richly deserved and a fitting tribute to Jane’s service to Education and the world of Libraries.”

Jane will receive her award at an investiture ceremony in Buckingham Palace later this year.