The Open University

Charity retail changemaker awarded prestigious honour by The Open University

15 November 2024

Dedicating a career spanning more than 30 years to charity retail, Maria Chenoweth has been awarded The Open University’s prestigious degree of Honorary Doctor, in recognition of her lifelong work championing the social and environmental benefits of second-hand fashion. From leaving school without any formal qualifications to becoming a transformative force in the charity retail […]

Comedic novelist’s award in recognition of his life’s work

4 June 2024

Celebrated novelist and academic Howard Jacobson has been awarded an honorary degree for his life’s work and contribution to British literature – reinventing the comic novel for the modern age. The Manchester-born academic was made a Doctor of The Open University at one of its degree ceremonies – this one in the city’s Bridgewater Hall […]

Acclaimed music journalist receives honorary doctorate from The Open University

8 November 2023

Former member of early Nineties pop band Saint Etienne and acclaimed music journalist Bob Stanley has been awarded an honorary doctorate by The Open University. The author and producer received the honour at the OU’s degree ceremony in Manchester’s Bridgewater Hall for his work enriching British cultural and artistic life for the past 30 years […]

The Open University spotlights three diversity and inclusion honorary graduates

18 October 2023

Three individuals who have devoted their lives to diversity and inclusion were given honorary doctorates by The Open University recently for their work. Since 1973 the OU has awarded more than 1,100 honorary degrees to people who have given back to their communities and beyond. This time it was the turn of Jennifer Dyer, Asif […]

Leading science-fiction writer receives Honorary Doctorate from the OU

12 May 2023

One of Britain’s leading science-fiction writers Dr Stephen Baxter has been awarded an Honorary Doctorate by The Open University. The Liverpool-born writer has captivated generations of science-fiction fans and has worked with esteemed writers such as Arthur C. Clarke, Alastair Reynolds and OU honorary graduate Terry Pratchett. He originally read mathematics at Cambridge University and […]

Outstanding individuals receive honorary awards from the OU

27 April 2023

The Open University has issued accolades to a group of high-flying individuals who have made significant contributions in their field of expertise or the communities around them. It was at the OU’s London degree ceremony that four people climbed the Barbican Centre’s stage to receive their honorary awards. They included: Daniel Tammet, who is an […]

OU in Ireland Director John D'Arcy & Ronan Keating

Ronan Keating given honorary degree from The Open University for charity work

17 May 2022

Ronan Keating has received an honorary degree from The Open University in recognition of his philanthropic contributions to charities over the past 25 years, particularly to improve cancer care. The Dublin-born musician, songwriter and presenter of BBC One’s The One Show, stepped up to receive the accolade for his charitable work, which he began following […]

Rt Hon Gordon Brown in his robes to receive an honorary graduation

Gordon Brown receives Honorary Doctorate from The Open University

20 September 2019

Former Prime Minister, Dr Gordon Brown, has been recognised for his services to global education by The Open University (OU) at a ceremony in London. He was presented with his honorary doctorate by OU’s Chancellor Baroness Lane-Fox. Gordon Brown was awarded the Doctor of the University for his exceptional contribution to widening access to educational […]

Honorary degrees celebrate contributions to culture, education, veterinary science and linguistics

22 March 2019

Today’s Open University degree ceremony at The Barbican, London, kicked off the spring graduation season in the OU’s 50th anniversary year. Alongside hundreds of Open University students receiving their awards, Sharon Corr, Baroness Jean Coussins and Professor Noel Fitzpatrick were conferred with honorary degrees. Sharon Corr – exceptional contribution to education and culture Singer, songwriter and […]

From first black graduate of The Open University to honorary doctorate

25 September 2018

“Education took me out of poverty,” says Elaine Sihera, the first black graduate of The Open University who has now been awarded an Honorary Doctorate of the university at a degree ceremony in London. HUGE milestone in my life this morning…being conferred a doctor of the Open University. Very difficult to describe in words. Congrats […]

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