Honorary graduates recognised at winter ceremonies
Twelve honorary degrees and awards conferred during graduations at McEwan Hall.
The University is awarding honorary degrees to recipients in recognition of in achievements across a diverse range of fields including climate activism, paleontology, elite sport, veterinary medicine, food security, visual arts, family medicine and sociology, law and digital making.
Other honours including the Principal’s Medal and University Benefactors are also awarded as part of our winter graduation ceremonies.
Our Honorees
Founder of the Staffin Fossil Museum, Dugald Alexander Ross receives a Doctor of Science for his preservation of Skye’s Jurassic history and its celebration as the ‘Dinosaur Capital of the UK.’
Edinburgh-born Hew Locke, a British Guyanese sculptor whose recent work includes commissions for Tate Britain and Metropolitan Museum of Art is awarded a Doctor honoris causain.
Vanessa Nakate, a Climate justice activist and UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador who has worked with the Edinburgh Futures Institute, is awarded a Doctor of Science in Social Science.
Community Jameel and its Director George Richards is created a University Benefactor for the creation of The Jameel Observatory for Food Security Early Action, and its mission to tackle the growing threat to people in the world’s drylands posed by climate disasters.
Naeema Yaqoob Sajid, Director of Diversity+ and co-founder of the Scottish Ethnic Minorities Lawyers Association is awarded a Doctor of Laws for her championing of equality in the legal sector.
Professor Stuart J Reid, Principal of the Royal Veterinary College and a specialist in veterinary epidemiology, is awarded a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine & Surgery.
And last but by no means least, Michael Dye, a former employee and Technician in our School of Biological Sciences, is awarded a Bachelor of Science for his work and over 50 years of service at the University.
The Principal’s Medal
The Principal’s Medal is awarded annually to students and staff who have delivered exceptional service in supporting the University or our wider community.
Elite swimmer and University alumni Archie Goodburn, a British Champion who has competed in the Commonwealth Games, receives the Principal’s Medal for his services to sport.
Other medal recipients include the Edinburgh Innovations Student Enterprise team, who are committed to nurturing entrepreneurial talent and fostering solutions to tackle global challenges.
Professor Sarah Cunningham-Burley from the Usher Institute receives a medal for her pioneering collaborative work in medicine and sociology.
The University’s Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program Team receive a medal for its work supporting educational opportunities for young people across Africa, while Mark Kobine, a Specialist technician at Edinburgh College of Art, receives a medal for his work in Digital Making.
Winter Graduates
The University’s winter graduations take place between Wednesday 20 and Thursday 28 November 2024 in McEwan Hall, with students graduating from across the University’s schools and colleges.
All ceremonies are streamed live our graduations website. The live broadcast is available approximately ten minutes before each graduation ceremony begins.
Full details of all of our graduation ceremonies and their timings are published on our website.
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Lead Image Mihaela Bodlovic