Professor Weir, Powdrill Chair in English Language Acquisition at the University of Bedfordshire, receives the honour for his ‘services to English Language Assessment’.

“I regard the OBE as a fitting tribute to the research I have been able to carry out as a Research Professor, in close collaboration with colleagues in the Centre for Research in English Language Learning and Assessment (CRELLA), over the last ten years,” said Professor Weir.

“The cutting edge professional support and daily inspiration from this unequalled cadre of world leading experts in assessment in CRELLA has been a critical factor in my success.

“To all of these people I am eternally grateful.”

Director of CRELLA, Professor Weir has worked as chief examiner in English for an array of examination boards, including the Institute of Linguists and the Associated Examining Board.

He is the author of a wide range of educational publications, including over 20 books on language testing and language programme evaluation. He has taught short courses and carried out consultancies in language testing, evaluation and curriculum renewal in over 60 countries worldwide.

He is a member of the Editorial Board of Language Testing, and is co-editor for the Studies in Language Testing series published by Cambridge University Press.

In 2013 he was made a Fellow of the Academy of Social Sciences, UK and in 2014 he was awarded the Cambridge/ILTA distinguished achievement award for language testing.

Vice Chancellor Bill Rammell commented on Professor Weir’s award:

“I would like to personally congratulate Professor Weir on his OBE. He is a fantastic servant to this University and deserves acknowledgement for his heading up of CRELLA.

“Furthermore, the award is a true signifier of the high calibre work the University is carrying out in the area of English Language.

“Our research in the field is sector leading, recognised as such by last year’s outstanding Research Excellence Framework (REF) results.”

In the 2014 REF, the social and economic impact of CRELLA's research in language assessment was assessed as 100% 4* world leading, joint best in the country.

All of the Centre’s work was rated as internationally recognised or higher, with almost half (45%) world leading.