Graduands will receive their degrees in the University’s iconic McEwan Hall before family, friends and supporters, while honorary graduates will be recognised for their outstanding contributions to society.
Medicine milestone
This year’s graduation ceremonies will be a significant moment for the University’s Medical School, which is marking three centuries of medical education at Edinburgh.
To commemorate the anniversary, all graduating Medical School students will receive a tartan brooch and a specially commissioned anthology of emotive poems, created in collaboration with students from Edinburgh College of Art.
Honorary degrees
A total of 14 exceptional individuals will be awarded honorary degrees at this summer’s graduations in recognition for their exceptional contributions across a wide range of fields, including medicine, educational leadership, science, research and philanthropy.
Shetland archivist
Brian Smith, a Shetland historian and co-editor of Scotland’s longest-running literary magazine, The New Shetlander, will be awarded with title of Doctor honoris causa – an honorary doctorate – during the University’s first graduation ceremony on Wednesday 1 July.
Edinburgh graduate Smith is recognised for his role in establishing and maintaining Shetland’s archives, authoring extensive historical research and supporting University of Edinburgh students in their studies.
Education leader
Professor Luc Sels, President of Leiden University and Honorary Rector of KU Leuven will receive the degree of Doctor honoris causa on Thursday 2 July.
Professor Sels is recognised for his leadership in international higher education and his pivotal role in strengthening collaboration between the University of Edinburgh and institutions across Europe.
Crime writers
Authors Christopher John Brookmyre and Dr Marisa Haetzman, will receive the joint award of degree of Doctor honoris causa on Saturday 4 July.
Brookmyre and Haetzman are recognised for their contributions to literature and historical scholarship, particularly through their acclaimed historical crime novels under the pseudonym Ambrose Parry.
Health advocate
Dr Annabel Sowemimo will be awarded a degree of Doctor honoris causa in recognition of her impactful work advancing reproductive health equity, advocacy, and education.
An NHS Consultant in sexual and reproductive Health, Dr Sowemimo founded the charity the Reproductive Justice Initiative which aims to address health inequalities and racial disparities.
Renowned artist
On Tuesday 7 July, Edinburgh College of Art graduate and ceramic artist Jennifer Lee OBE will receive Doctor honoris causa in recognition of her achievements in the field of ceramics.
Lee’s creations are exhibited internationally and is represented in 50 major museum collections worldwide, including the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York and the British Museum and V&A Museum in London.
NASA spacewalker
NASA veteran Dr Kathy Sullivan will receive the title of doctor honoris causa on Thursday 9 July, in recognition of her substantial contributions as an astronaut and oceanographer.
With a long and distinguished career as a scientist and astronaut, Dr Sullivan was the first US woman to complete a spacewalk aboard Space Shuttle Challenger in 1984.
After leaving NASA in 1993, Dr Sullivan has held many high-profile roles in oceanography and geology.
In 2020, Dr Sullivan again entered the history books by becoming the first woman to reach the deepest known point in the ocean, and the only person to have both orbited the world and reached its greatest depth.
Robotics innovator
Professor David Lane CBE, Honorary Professor at the University of Edinburgh, will receive Doctor of Science on Saturday 11 July.
Professor Lane is a founding leader of the Edinburgh Centre for Robotics, a leading research partnership between the University of Edinburgh and Heriot-Watt University.
His award is in recognition of his extensive contributions to robotics and AI in academia and industry.
The full list of honorary graduates can be found on the University’s website.
Related links
Graduations | University of Edinburgh
Honorary Graduates and other awards | University of Edinburgh