Honorary Graduates
The University of Stirling is proud and pleased to confer honorary degrees at our graduation ceremonies.
Through the awarding of an Honorary Degree, the University recognises the contribution made by distinguished individuals in the worlds of academia, business, politics, public service and the arts.
Honorary Graduands 2022
Professor Sir Ian Boyd FRS
Professor Sir Ian Boyd FRS is a marine and polar scientist who was Chief Scientific Adviser to the UK Government on Food and the Environment.
Interview with Honorary Graduate Sir Ian Boyd
"I have three pieces of advice for graduates."
Catriona Matthew OBE
Edinburgh-born golfer Catriona Matthew OBE joined the University of Stirling’s international sports scholarship programme in 1987 – becoming the first female to do so – and turned professional in 1995, having graduated in accountancy in 1992.
Interview with Honorary Graduate Catriona Matthew
Catriona Matthew talks about the links between golf and University of Stirling, and the highlights from her career.
Honorary Graduates 2019
Shelley Kerr MBE
Shelley Kerr talks about a university close to her heart, remembers her first day taking charge of a mens' team and gives advice to graduates starting their career.
Alan Shearer CBE
Alan Shearer talks about his links with the University and its research into football heading risks, and has some useful advice for graduates.
James Jopling
James Jopling has worked and volunteered for charities for almost 25 years – tirelessly striving for a fairer society and positive mental wellbeing for all.
Hamish Hamilton
A double-BAFTA award winning director, Hamish Hamilton has produced and directed many of the biggest live shows on the planet – including the Oscars, MTV Video Music Awards, and the Super Bowl Halftime Show.
Alison Brittain CBE
CEO of Whitbread plc, Alison Brittain CBE is one of the UK’s pre-eminent business leaders and influencers. She is one of just five female chief executives to be listed on the FTSE 100.
Lilian Thuram
Lilian Thuram – who played for Barcelona, Juventus, Parma and Monaco during his illustrious club career – is the most-capped French footballer, with 142 appearances for the national team between 1994 and 2008.
Pete Cheema OBE
Pete Cheema OBE has vast knowledge and experience of the retailing sector, having owned and managed a number of award-winning stores over the years.
Professor John Dawson
As the leading scholar in the field of retail geography, Professor John Dawson worked as Professor of Distributive Studies at the University of Stirling – where he founded the Institute of Retail Studies – and later as the first Professor of Marketing at the University of Edinburgh, where he remained for two decades.
Sam Heughan
Award-winning, Scots actor Sam Heughan has appeared in a host of television and film productions and is best-known for his role as Jamie Fraser in hit series Outlander.
Our Honorary Graduate archive
Our extensive archive of Honorary Graduates goes back to 1968.