University news

The University of Glasgow is awarding honorary degrees to recipients from across Europe in recognition of their achievements in the fields of politics, arts, science, and humanities on this year’s Commemoration Day.

The awards will be presented at a special ceremony on 15 June which marks the foundation of the University in 1451.

Among the recipients will be two former leading political figures - Mario Monti, Italian Prime Minister from 2011 to 2013, and Mary Robinson, the first woman President of Ireland between 1990 and 1997. Others recognised on Commemoration Day include President of the National Academy of Science and Engineering in Germany and ex-Director General of the European Space Agency, Johann-Dietrich Wörner, and columnist with of The Irish Times Fintan O’Toole.

Honorary degrees will also be awarded to a host of recipients during the University’s summer and winter graduation ceremonies – from a world leading novelist to a Nobel Prize winner.

During the summer graduation ceremonies author of the Outlander series of novels, Diana Gabaldon, will become a Doctor of Letters along with Jackie Wylie, Artistic Director and Chief Executive of the National Theatre of Scotland.

The 2021 Nobel Prize for Chemistry winner and University of Glasgow graduate Professor Sir David MacMillan will become Doctor of Science (DSc), along with Professor Dorairaj Prabhakaran, Vice President of Public Health Foundation of India.

Professor Anton Muscatelli, Principal & Vice-Chancellor, University of Glasgow, said: “It is an honour to recognise the work of such distinguished people from across the world at this year’s Commemoration Day, individuals who have a made a genuine difference to so many people’s lives across the globe, the UK and here in Scotland.

“Awarding honorary degrees is a way for the University to recognise the achievements of people who have made a positive impact and are world changers in their chosen fields. We look forward to celebrating their successes and welcoming them to our UofG community.”

 

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The full list of honorary degrees 2022 are:

Honorary Degrees Commemoration Day 2022 – 15 June 2022

DOCTOR OF LAWS (LLD)

• Professor Dr Sonja SNACKEN - Professor Emeritus of Criminology, Penology and Sociology of Law, Vrije University Brussel

DOCTOR OF LETTERS (DLitt)

• Professor Dr hab Zdzisław MACH - Jagiellonian University, Poland
• Fintan O’TOOLE - Columnist, The Irish Times

DOCTOR OF SCIENCE (DSc)

• Professor Gunnar VON HEIJNE - University of Stockholm
• Professor Martin LOHSE - Chairman, ISAR Bioscience and ex- Scientific Director of the Max Delbruck Center for Molecular Medicine

DOCTOR OF ENGINEERING (DEng)

• Johann-Dietrich WÖRNER - President, National Academy of Science and Engineering, Germany and ex- Director General, European Space Agency

DOCTOR OF THE UNIVERSITY (DUniv)

• Mario MONTI - Former Italian Prime Minister
• Mary ROBINSON - Former President of Ireland and former UN High Commissioner for Human Right
• Dr Finian TAN – Chairman, Vickers Venture Partners

Honorary Degrees Summer 2022

DOCTOR OF LAWS (LLD)

• Dana DENIS-SMITH - Founder and CEO, Obelisk Support 

DOCTOR OF LETTERS (DLitt)

• Dr Diana GABALDON – Author
• Professor Sir Geoff (Godfrey) PALMER - Human Rights Activist
• Jackie WYLIE - Artistic Director and Chief Executive, National Theatre of Scotland

DOCTOR OF SCIENCE (DSC)

• Dr Aart DE GEUS -Chair and Co-CEO of Synopsis
• Professor Deborah LAWLOR - Professor of Epidemiology, University of Bristol
• Professor Sir David MACMILLAN - Merck Center for Catalysis at Princeton University and Recipient of the Nobel Prize for Chemistry 2021
• Professor Dorairaj PRABHAKARAN- Vice President (Research and Policy), Public Health Foundation of India

DOCTOR OF THE UNIVERSITY (DUniv)

• Professor Kofi ANYIDOHO - Professor of English, University of Ghana
• Etienne d’ABOVILLE - Chief Executive of Glasgow Centre For Inclusive Living (GCIL)
• Councillor Graham CAMPBELL - Human Rights Activist
• Sir Douglas Jardine FLINT – Businessman
• Corinne HUTTON - Founder of Finding Your Feet Charity and Motivational Speaker

Honorary Degrees Expected to be awarded in winter 2022

DOCTOR OF LETTERS (DLitt)

• Dr Elisabeth Kendall - Senior Research Fellow in Arabic & Islamic Studies, Pembroke College, University of Oxford
• Professor Anand Menon - Professor of European Politics and Foreign Affairs, Kings College London

DOCTOR OF THE UNIVERSITY (DUniv)

• Dr Ligia Teixeira - Chief Executive, Centre for Homelessness Impact

First published: 10 June 2022