The Open University

Acclaimed playwright and screenwriter receives honorary doctorate from OU

27 November 2025

The playwright and screenwriter, James Graham, has received an honorary doctorate from The Open University (OU). Graham is known for writing plays like Dear England, a story taking us to the heart of Gareth Southgate’s England men’s football team, and for screenplays like Sherwood, a gripping crime drama tapping into his own experiences of growing […]

Honour for a swordplay expert who carved a career in films

27 May 2025

A multi-talented character in the UK’s creative and cultural industry has just been made an honorary graduate of The Open University, recognising his work in the arts. Andy Wilkinson, who lives in Harpenden, Herts, dreamt of a showbusiness career and used his skills at fencing and other weaponry to help him enter the profession, gain […]

Honour for bereaved Bedfordshire mother whose work has improved life for those living with sickle cell

19 May 2025

A bereaved mother from Leighton Buzzard, Bedfordshire, whose daughter died from sickle cell disease 25 years ago, has been awarded an honorary doctorate by The Open University for her work to raise awareness of the condition ever since. Cecilia Ayisi-Shoetan, formerly from Romford but now living in Leighton Buzzard, has campaigned to help improve the […]

Firefighter gains an honorary degree from The Open University

13 May 2025

Firefighter Ross Hockham has been awarded an Honorary Degree by The Open University in recognition of his infectious passion for the solar system, a love that has spawned a thriving education and outreach programme. The OU, based in Milton Keynes where Ross lives, is internationally renowned for its groundbreaking space-science research and has a team […]

Disability campaigner honoured for his work in education

8 April 2025

A campaigner for disabled people who has helped to transform their learning experience, not just at The Open University but beyond, has been recognised by the OU with an honorary doctorate. Derek Child was registered blind in his late twenties due to a childhood illness and realised that education would give him the skills to […]

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 […]

Distinguished author and Nobel Laureate is awarded honorary degree

15 October 2024

Distinguished Zanzibar-born author and Nobel Laureate Abdulrazak Gurnah, who has been celebrated on both sides of the Atlantic, has been awarded an Honorary Doctorate by The Open University. He won global recognition in 2021 for becoming the first African writer in 30 years to receive the Nobel Prize for literature. It resulted in many earlier […]

Photo of Emily Hollis in her graduation robes

Inspirational education leader awarded honorary Open University degree

18 April 2024

Emily Hollis MBE has been awarded an honorary degree from The Open University (OU) for devoting her career to promoting educational inclusion and raising standards for all. A distinguished educator, and passionate advocate for inclusion, Emily was presented with the honorary degree of Master of the University for her services to education and culture at […]

Bereaved mother’s honour for helping others

13 December 2023

Grief and trauma therapist Lucy Herd has been awarded an honorary doctorate from The Open University for devoting her life to ensuring grieving parents receive support from employers after the loss of a child. Jack’s Law, in honour of Lucy’s son who tragically died in 2010 just before he was two, has created a new […]

A tribute to OU Honorary Graduate Benjamin Zephaniah

8 December 2023

It is with deep sadness that The Open University pays tribute to Benjamin Zephaniah, a distinguished poet, writer, and Honorary Graduate of the OU who has died at the age of 65. Benjamin’s career spanned the realms of poetry, literature, radio, music, and television. In 2004, t he OU recognised his outstanding contributions to the […]

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