By Hamish Johnston

Oldham’s answer to Carl Sagan, the particle physicist and TV presenter Brian Cox, will be made an Officer of the British Empire (OBE) by Britain’s Queen Elizabeth II.

Cox, who is professor of physics at Manchester University, shot to fame over the past few years as a presenter of television and radio programmes about science.

Cited for her “services to physics”, Cambridge physicist Athene Donald will become a Dame Commander of the British Empire (DBE). A polymer physicist, one of Donald’s lesser known achievements is getting Physics World editor Matin Durrani through his PhD.

Also named today in the Queen’s Birthday Honours list is IOP Publishing’s managing director Jerry Cowhig, who will be made Member of the British Empire (MBE).

Cowhig has been managing director of IOP Publishing for 15 years, presiding over a major expansion of the firm’s international activities.

Both Cox and Cowhig are honoured for their “services to science”.

You can see the full list of honours here.