University of Bristol Emeritus Professor David Gunnell has been awarded a CBE in the 2026 King’s Birthday Honours for his services to public health and suicide prevention.
Professor Gunnell was one of four University of Bristol researchers recognised in this year’s honours, alongside Professor John Sparrow, Emeritus Professor Andrew Mumford and Professor David Knowles. The awards celebrate their significant contributions across public health, ophthalmology, genomic medicine, engineering, academia and industry.
An epidemiologist and public health physician, Professor Gunnell’s research has focused on adult mental health, suicide prevention and the wider factors that influence mental wellbeing throughout people’s lives.
His work has helped shape suicide-reduction strategies both in the UK and internationally, and he has worked with leading organisations including Samaritans. He has also contributed to suicide prevention strategy groups for England and the World Health Organization.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, Professor Gunnell led the International COVID-19 Suicide Prevention Research Collaboration, which brought together researchers to understand how the pandemic and associated public health measures affected suicide risk.
Speaking about the honour, Professor Gunnell said: “I’m deeply honoured to receive this award. Research is a team effort and over the last 30 years I’ve been privileged to work with a wonderful group of research colleagues, support staff, mental and public health professionals, volunteers and people bereaved by suicide.
“This award in no small part reflects the honour it has been to work with them and I hope it helps raise awareness of the daily tragedy of suicide around the UK and worldwide and the importance of concerted societal efforts to prevent these deaths.”
Professor John Sparrow, Honorary Professor of Ophthalmic Health Services Research and Applied Epidemiology, received an MBE for services to ophthalmology. Emeritus Professor Andrew Mumford, Professor of Genomic Medicine, also received an MBE for services to genomic medicine. Professor David Knowles FREng, Professor of Nuclear Engineering, was awarded a CBE for services to academia and industry.
Professor Gunnell’s award recognises his long-standing commitment to improving suicide prevention research, policy and public health practice, and the impact of his work on communities in the UK and around the world.