Queens’ fresher Dara McAnulty said he was “delighted and honoured” to accept a British Empire Medal (BEM) for his work as a writer, naturalist and environmental activist in King Charles’ first New Year Honours list.

Announcing the news on Facebook, McAnulty wrote that he believes “the recognition encourages other young people that their voices are worthy and will be heard” and thanked those who have supported him: “I couldn’t continue my work without the encouragement and positivity I receive from so many — especially my brilliant family”.

The first-year student was already an acclaimed writer and activist before starting at Cambridge this October, becoming the youngest person ever to win a major literary prize in the UK when his debut Diary of a Young Naturalist was awarded the 2020 Wainwright prize.

Written in expressive poetic prose, McAnulty’s first book detailed his fourteenth year and his experience of nature as an autistic teenager facing the upheaval of moving from one side of Northern Ireland to the other. He’s written two other books since — A Wild Child’s Book of Birds and Wild Child: A Journey Through Nature — all whilst juggling A-levels, activism and applying to Cambridge.

In October, McAnulty told Varsity: “I’m really really excited to be starting Cambridge, to be in an environment where I can really [...] focus on studying”. He’s since called his first term “the most breathtakingly intense time period of [his] existence” but is having “the time of [his] life with a great group of new friends”.

Several Cambridge academics also received honours, including economists Sir Partha Dasgupta and Dr Graham Gudgin CBE. In science, Professor Krishna Chatterjee was awarded a CBE, and Elizabeth Blane an MBE.

Acting vice-chancellor Dr Anthony Freeling offered his “warmest congratulations” to those honoured, saying “it’s gratifying to see dedicated service acknowledged and rewarded in this way.”