Doctor Who star Ncuti Gatwa to receive honorary doctorate
Doctor Who Star Ncuti Gatwa to Receive Honorary Doctorate
The University of Glasgow will honor several individuals with honorary degrees in the coming months, including Ncuti Gatwa, the actor who portrayed the Doctor in the long-running sci-fi series, and Stuart Murdoch, the lead singer of Belle & Sebastian. The ceremony will take place in June, coinciding with the institution’s 575th anniversary. The first honorary degrees will be awarded during a special Commemoration Day event on Wednesday, 17 June.
Additional Recipients Recognized
Alongside Gatwa and Murdoch, BBC journalist Sarah Smith and her younger sister, Baroness Catherine Smith—the Advocate General for Scotland—will also be honored. Sarah Smith, who serves as the BBC’s North America editor, and Baroness Catherine, a graduate of Glasgow’s history department, will receive the title of Doctor of the University. Other notable honorees include Glasgow’s Lord Provost, Jacqueline McLaren, and musicians Deacon Blue and Eddi Reader.
Academic Honors and Impact
Professor Guido Tabellini, who holds the Chair in Political Economics at Bocconi University, will be awarded a Doctor of Letters. Dr. Stuart Campbell, an emeritus professor of obstetrics and gynaecology at King’s College London, will earn a Doctor of Science. The university emphasized that these individuals have made “a profound and enduring influence across their fields and beyond,” aligning with its tradition of celebrating societal contributions.
“Honorary degrees give us the opportunity to recognize individuals whose achievements have had a profound and positive impact within their professions and wider society. Their work embodies values that continue to inspire our community. I am delighted to welcome our honorary graduates into the University of Glasgow community at such a significant milestone, and to celebrate them alongside our graduating students.”
Prof Andy Schofield, the university’s principal and vice chancellor, highlighted the event’s importance as a moment to “reflect on our remarkable history.” The summer and winter graduation ceremonies will also include honorary degrees, further showcasing the institution’s commitment to acknowledging exceptional talent and service.
