The University of Stirling is proud and pleased to confer honorary degrees at our graduation ceremonies in Stirling, Inverness and Singapore. 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.
Photographs in Scotland were taken by Elaine Livingstone (from 2018); Ede & Ravenscroft (from 2013 to 2017) and by Tempest Photography (prior to 2013). Photographs from our campus in Singapore were taken by Serangoon Broadway.
Eve Muirhead
The degree of Doctor of the University was conferred on Friday 2 November 2018 in recognition of Eve
Mark Daly
The degree of Doctor of the University was conferred on Wednesday 27 June 2018 in recognition of Mark Daly's outstanding contribution to investigative journalism. Mark Daly is a Bafta and multi-award winning BBC journalist and contributor to the BBC’s Panorama programme. He is also a former graduate of the University of Stirling, with a degree in Film and Media studies.
Dame Anne McGuire
The award of Doctor of the University was conferred on Thursday 28 June 2018 to the Right Honourable Dame Anne McGuire, in recognition of her public service to the people of Stirling and to people with disabilities. She was an elected Member of Parliament for the city of Stirling for almost 18 years.
Patrick McGrath
The degree of Doctor of the University was conferred on Wednesday 27 June 2018 for Patrick McGrath's outstanding support of academic research, through the donation of his literary papers to the University of Stirling archives. Patrick McGrath is a writer of numerous short stories and a series of critically-acclaimed novels. He is a Fellow of the Royal Society of Literature.
Dr Anthony Phillips
The degree of Doctor of the University was conferred on Friday 24 November 2017 in recognition of Dr Anthony Phillips' creating the Macrobert Centre as its first director, and for his major contribution to classical music in administration and translation.
Dr James Robertson
The degree of Doctor of the University was conferred on Friday 24 November 2017 in recognition of Dr James Robertson's outstanding contribution to writing in Scotland; for his work to extend the use of the Scots language; and for his role in highlighting the importance of political activism and participation.
Dr Benedict Tan
The degree of Doctor of the University was conferred on Thursday 5 October 2017 in recognition of Dr Benedict Tan's outstanding contribution to sport in Singapore.
Emeritus Professor Angela Smith
The degree of Doctor of the University was conferred on Thursday 29 June 2017 in recognition of Professor Angela Smith's outstanding contribution to the University in conceiving, establishing and chairing - since its foundation - the Stirling University Retired Staff Association (SURSA).
Mr Abdulaziz Saud Al-Babtain
The degree of Doctor of the University was conferred on Thursday 29 June 2017 in recognition of Mr Abdulaziz Saud Al-Babtain's philanthropy, creative writing and poetry, and for his activism in driving an agenda for peace and humanitarianism.
Bernard Gallacher OBE
The degree of Doctor of the University was conferred on Wednesday 28 June 2017 in recognition of Bernard Gallacher's outstanding contribution to sport in respect of his achievements and accolades in professional golf.
Professor Steve Peters
The degree of Doctor of the University was conferred on Wednesday 28 June 2017 in recognition of Steve Peters' outstanding contribution to Psychology, Health Sciences and Sport.
Dr Alan Bissett
The degree of Doctor of the University was conferred on Friday 25 November 2016 in recognition of Alan Bissett's outstanding contribution to Scottish literary culture.
Emeritus Professor Andrew Whiten
The degree of Doctor of the University was conferred on Friday 25 November 2016 in recognition of Andrew Whiten’s outstanding contribution to our understanding of the evolution of social cognition in human and non-human primates; for his leadership in making Scotland foremost in the study of animal behaviour; and for establishing the Living Links to Human Evolution primate research centre in Edinburgh Zoo.
Dr Helen Bevan OBE
The degree of Doctor of the University was conferred on Wednesday 3 November 2016 in recognition of Helen Bevan’s outstanding contribution to quality improvement in healthcare.
Mrs Elaine Wyllie
The degree of Master of Arts was conferred on Thursday 30 June 2016 in recognition of Elaine Wyllie’s outstanding contribution to the community through implementation of the Daily Mile in St Ninian’s Primary School (Stirling) and the influence of this intervention throughout the UK and beyond.
Professor Zhengshuan Li
The degree of Doctor of the University was conferred on Thursday 30 June 2016 in recognition of Zhengshuan Li’s outstanding contribution to the promotion of Scottish Literature in China.
Dr Alan Simpson OBE
The degree of Doctor of the University was conferred on Wednesday 29 June 2016 in recognition of Alan Simpson’s outstanding contribution to the University and for services to Higher Education.
Dr Rita Colwell
The degree of Doctor of the University was conferred on Wednesday 29 June 2016 in recognition of Rita Colwell’s outstanding contribution to Science.
Professor Alexander McCall Smith
The degree of Doctor of the University was conferred on Friday 27 November 2015 in recognition of Alexander McCall Smith's outstanding contribution to literature.
Laura Dunlop QC
The degree of Doctor of the University was conferred on Friday 27 November 2015 in recognition of Laura Dunlop's outstanding contribution to the support of vulnerable people in Scotland through the practice of law, and as an outstanding model for our female students of what a woman can contribute and achieve in public life in Scotland.
Dato' Dr Jannie Chan Siew Lee
The degree of Doctor of the University was conferred on Thursday 15 October 2015 in recognition of Dato' Dr Jannie Chan Siew Lee's outstanding contribution to retail and to business.
Mr Kevin Clarke
The degree of Doctor of the University was conferred on Thursday 25 June 2015 in recognition of Kevin Clarke's outstanding contribution to the University of Stirling and to the Scottish and United Kingdom Higher Education sector.
Ms Sally Magnusson
The degree of Doctor of the University was conferred on Thursday 25 June 2015 in recognition of Sally Magnusson's' outstanding contribution to Scottish life and her support of the Dementia Services Development Centre of the University of Stirling.
Mr John Byrne
The degree of Doctor of the University was conferred on Wednesday 24 June 2015 in recognition of John Byrne's great distinction in the arts.
Sir John Elvidge
The degree of Doctor of the University was conferred on Wednesday 24 June 2015 in recognition of Sir John Elvidge's outstanding contribution to the modernisation of public services during a period of unprecedented constitutional change in Scotland.
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