Baroness O’Neill of Bengarve (PPP, 1959) has received the Orden Pour Le Merite, Germany’s highest Order of Merit.

Known colloquially as ‘Blue Max’, Pour le Merite is only ever held by 40 German and 40 non-German academics simultaneously. The award dates back to the Prussian Empire.

The award recognises her writings on political phisosophy and ethics as well as her public activities. The award website’s biographical information on Baroness O’Neill notes that she was formerly Principal of Newnham College, Cambridge, as well as chair of the Nuffield Foundation.

The award website also notes that she is now a non-Party member of the House of Lords and that she leads the Commission for Equality and Human Rights.

View The Order’s webpage about Baroness O’Neill.

Baroness O’Neill lectures and writes about justice and ethics, accountability and trust, justice and borders, as well as on the future of universities, the quality of legislation and communication ethics, including media ethics.

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