Mr Paddy Gray, 47, senior lecturer in the School of the Built Environment, has been awarded a Distinguished Community Fellowship by the University of Ulster.

A native of Armagh, Paddy has built a distinguished career in the field of housing management and policy, becoming a respected researcher, author and advisor on local policy issues. The Distinguished Community Fellowship award recognises Paddy's outstanding contribution to the entire Northern Ireland community.

Educated at Ulster Polytechnic, the New University of Ulster and the University of Ulster, Paddy began his career as President of the Students' Union before working in the Housing Executive at District, Regional and Central levels. Paddy joined the University of Ulster in 1987 as a lecturer in Housing Studies, becoming a senior lecturer in 1994.

A Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Housing he is a contributor to numerous publications in the field, most recently  'A Review of the Private Rented Sector in Northern Ireland'.  Until recently he was Chairman of Open Door Housing association, and is currently chairman of the Londonderry Citizen's Advice Bureau, the largest Bureau in Northern Ireland. Paddy has been actively involved in the Chartered Institute of Housing both locally and nationally. He is a member of two international working groups looking at housing and urban settlements.

Paddy has one son and lives in Derry.

Winter Graduations 2004

For further information, please contact:

Press Office, Department of Communication and Development
Tel: 028 9036 6178
Email: pressoffice@ulster.ac.uk