Bangor Professor included in New Year Honours List

Professor Sandy Toogood, an Honorary Professor at Bangor University’s School of Education is to be awarded a British Empire Medal (BEM) for services to people with intellectual disabilities and was included in the New Year Honours List.

Professor Toogood, a former senior lecturer in Behavioural Analysis and is now honorary professor in the School of Education.

Professor Toogood commented:

“Receiving an award is a humbling experience for most and very often a stimulus for reflecting on the wonderful work being done by one’s friends and colleagues. Increasingly, people with severe or profound intellectual disabilities are finding new ways to contribute to society, which is more inclusive now than when I started in the field forty years ago. Education has been key to unlocking the potential in people with intellectual disabilities and in society as a whole. Much remains to be done, however, and I am delighted to receive this award on the way to a better future for us all.”

Sandy Toogood joined Bangor University after moving to Wales in 1989. He was appointed Honorary Senior Research Fellow while working in the NHS on developing clinical and behavioural support services. He gained a PhD in behavioural psychology in 1996 before later, as Senior Lecturer at the School of Psychology, helping to establish and teach the first BACB approved course sequence (MSc in ABA) in Europe. During the 1980s Sandy contributed substantially to the development of the now globally renowned system of Active Support (enhancing quality of life and independence through participation in activity) before becoming deputy leader of the pioneering Special Development Team (a prototypical model for PBS services). Sandy has been key figure in the development and dissemination Positive Behaviour Support in the UK and internationally and was made Honorary Professor within the College of Human Sciences in 2018. Sandy is currently working in Abbey School for Exceptional Children, a leading-edge school for children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) with research support from Bangor University and the University of Warwick spanning the next ten years.

Professor Carl Hughes, Head of School at the School of Education, Bangor University said:

“I could not think of a more deserving recipient of this award. Sandy has tirelessly worked for people with intellectually disabilities throughout his whole career. It is difficult to quantify the impact Sandy has had with his clinical and academic work and his teaching. He has been an inspiration to hundreds of students over the years, and it is an absolute pleasure to count him as a mentor and friend.”

Publication date: 31 December 2020