OU academic recognised in King’s Birthday Honours

Posted on 15 June 2026 • Science, maths, computing and technology, University news

Professor Rachel Hilliam, Head of the School of Mathematics and Statistics at The Open University, has been awarded an OBE in the King’s Birthday Honours for her services to Data Sciences.

Rachel joined The Open University in 2011 and has held a number of senior roles, including Director of Teaching for Mathematics and Statistics and academic lead for the Mathematics and Statistics student support team.

She has made a significant contribution to the development of professional standards across statistics and data science, both nationally and through international collaboration, and has played a prominent role within the Royal Statistical Society (RSS).

Rachel spearheaded the development of data science standards and the professionalisation of the data science discipline. The Alliance for Data Science Professionals (AfDSP) was established in 2020 to address the multidisciplinary nature of data science, with Rachel appointed as its inaugural Chair in 2021.

Rachel coordinated the setting up of the AfDSP framework which sets out ethical principles and moral approaches relating to the use of data. She advocated for the framework to require that all who gain certification have a clear understanding of transparency and fairness in data usage and algorithm development.

Her wider contributions include delivering the 2020-26 Teaching Statistics Trust Lecture series, a founding member of the RSS Section for Teaching Statistics in Higher Education and co-creating Teaching and Learning Mathematics Online (TALMO), an international initiative supporting mathematics teaching and learning, which continues as an active seminar series. In recognition of her contributions, she was awarded the RSS Chambers Medal in 2024.

Speaking about receiving an OBE,  Professor Hilliam said:

“I was both thrilled and overwhelmed to be awarded this honour. I am incredibly fortunate to work not just with exceptionally talented colleagues at the OU, but also nationally.

“It was a privilege to work with so many amazing people across multiple professional and learned societies, industry and education to create and establish the Alliance for Data Science Professionals, and associated Data Science standards. This award is the result of a huge collaborative effort, and I want to thank everyone involved.”

Professor Mike Fernando, Executive Dean for the Faculty of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics, says:

“I am delighted to see Rachel recognised in the King’s Birthday Honours. She has made an outstanding contribution to the professionalisation of data science, championing ethical, transparent and responsible practice. This honour is richly deserved and reflects her significant impact across the sector.”

Sarah Cumbers, CEO of the Royal Statistical Society, added:

“On behalf of the Royal Statistical Society, I warmly congratulate Rachel Hilliam on this well deserved honour. Rachel’s leadership has been instrumental in shaping the UK’s first professional standards for data science, bringing together voices from across disciplines to build a framework that is ethical, rigorous and globally influential.

“Her tireless voluntary work through the Alliance for Data Science Professionals has strengthened integrity across professions and set a benchmark that will benefit society for years to come. We are immensely proud of her contribution and delighted to see it recognised at this level.”