UWS Alumni Blog

Honorary Graduates

TV Host and Graduate Awarded an Honorary Doctorate
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Featured, Honorary Graduates

TV Host and Graduate Awarded an Honorary Doctorate

Scottish television personality and broadcaster Jean Johansson has been awarded an Honorary Doctorate at University of the West of Scotland’s summer graduations.    Known for hosting hit Channel 4 show A Place in the Sun, Jean was celebrated on 10 July during a ceremony at Paisley Abbey for her remarkable career in television and radio, where she has become one of Scotland's most recognisable and respected broadcasters.  Jean is an alumna of the University, graduating in 2010 with a degree in broadcast journalism. Known for presenting a range of popular programmes, Jean has built a reputation for engaging storytelling, professionalism, and connecting with audiences across the UK. Beyond her broadcasting career, Jean has been a passionate advocate for diversity, incl...
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Eight influential figures to be honoured at summer graduations
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Honorary Graduates

Eight influential figures to be honoured at summer graduations

Eight prominent figures will be celebrated at University of the West of Scotland’s (UWS) summer graduations.  Paisley Abbey Jean Johansson, Laura Montgomery & Carol Anne Stewart, Fiona Campbell MBE, Paul Andrew, Manira Ahmad, Brian Cannon and Evelyn McDonald will be given Honorary Doctorates as part of the University’s graduation ceremonies, running from Tuesday 7 – Friday 10 July.  Evelyn McDonald, CEO of business funding enterprise, Scottish Edge. Tuesday 7 July 2pm. Brian Cannon, owner of graphic design company, Microdot, and creator of Oasis’ debut album cover for Definitely Maybe. Wednesday 8 July 10.30am Manira Ahmad, Chief Officer of Public Health Scotland. Wednesday 8 July 2pm. Paul Andrew, Vice-Principal of Public Affairs and Communication at Harvard Un...
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Honorary Doctors Awarded in the 2026 King’s Birthday Honours
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Honorary Graduates

Honorary Doctors Awarded in the 2026 King’s Birthday Honours

Congratulations to two members of the University community who were recognised in the King’s Birthday Honours published recently. Patrick Doyle and Willie Mackie were both awarded Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) as part of the King's Official Birthday celebrations. Honorary Awardee Patrick Doyle received his CBE for services to film. The composer received his Honorary Doctorate in 2018 and has received numerous accolades including two Academy Award nominations, two César nominations, an Ivor Novello for Henry V and a Scottish BAFTA lifetime achievement award. Dr Patrick Doyle CBE Read more: Award Winning Composer Receives Honorary Award from UWS The Chair of CentreStage in Ayrshire, Willie Mackie, received an Honorary Doctorate from the University in 2019....
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The Past, Present and Future of Preventing Stalking in Scotland
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Honorary Graduates

The Past, Present and Future of Preventing Stalking in Scotland

You are warmly invited to attend a public screening of the UWS-produced short documentary ‘Unsilenced’ on Thursday 11 June 2026 from 4.00pm at our Paisley Campus. ‘Unsilenced’ features the story of Dr Ann Moulds CBE, an Honorary Doctor of the University of the West of Scotland, and a survivor of stalking who campaigned successfully for stalking to be recognised as a crime, and who launched the first anti-stalking charity in the UK. Please note that the film contains themes of sexual violence, nudity and threat. The short documentary screening will be followed by an expert panel discussion facilitated by Dr Maria Sapouna, Senior Lecturer in Criminology & Criminal Justice at UWS, and will feature contributions from Dr Ann Moulds CBE; along with Detective Chi...
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UWS Hosts Women’s Football Panel Event
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Honorary Graduates

UWS Hosts Women’s Football Panel Event

The University has hosted an event that included expertise and opinion from across the women’s game to discuss how to build resilience in women’s football in Scotland, at a critical time as the game grows both nationally and globally. The event, which took place on Tuesday 21 April, at UWS Paisley campus, was hosted by UWS Principal & Vice-Chancellor Professor James Miller and included a fantastic panel featuring two UWS honorary graduates, Rose Reilly and Erin Cuthbert; Jane Dougall (BBC broadcaster and journalist); and Vivienne MacLaren (Chair of Scottish Women's Football). We've received a great response and feedback from guests - drawn from across the professional and amateur game - who joined colleagues from the University at the event held in Chancellor’s Hall. You c...
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Talking AI with Prof Mark Girolami Chief Scientist at the Turing Institute
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Alumni Stories, Honorary Graduates

Talking AI with Prof Mark Girolami Chief Scientist at the Turing Institute

A University of the West of Scotland (UWS) Honorary Doctorate Masterclass has given students, staff and the public an insight into the work of the Alan Turing Institute and the transformative impact of artificial intelligence (AI). Professor Mark Girolami, Chief Scientist at The Alan Turing Institute and UWS alumnus, delivered a masterclass at the University’s Paisley campus on Tuesday 9 December exploring the challenges related to the speed and unpredictability of AI developments. During the session, which attracted around 70 attendees, Mark spoke about his early career and taking an opportunity to undertake his PhD at University of Paisley (now UWS) after a ten-year career as a Chartered Engineer within IBM. He also spoke about his current work as Chief Scientist at The Alan Turing...
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Perfect Trio Honoured at UWS Winter Graduation
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Honorary Graduates, News

Perfect Trio Honoured at UWS Winter Graduation

A Scottish singing star, football legend and an inspiring parish minister have been recognised as part of University of the West of Scotland's (UWS) winter graduations. Singer and songwriter Eddi Reader MBE has been awarded an Honorary Doctorate from UWS for her contribution to music and the arts. The award was presented at the University’s Winter Graduation ceremony at Paisley Abbey on Tuesday 18 November, where she joined hundreds of graduating students celebrating their achievements. Born and raised in Glasgow until she was 16 and then spending her late teens in Irvine, Eddi Reader began performing at a young age, using music as a way to connect with others through busking and appearances in local folk clubs. Her career has spanned genres and decades. From early work with p...
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Bestselling Authors Inspire UWS Audience
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Honorary Graduates, News

Bestselling Authors Inspire UWS Audience

A University of the West of Scotland (UWS) Honorary Doctorate Masterclass has given students, staff and the public an insight into the world of historical fiction. Bestselling author Dr Marisa Haetzman delivered a masterclass at the University’s Paisley campus on Wednesday 15 October exploring her journey from medicine to literature. Dr Haetzman, who writes alongside her husband, crime author Chris Brookmyre, under the pseudonym Ambrose Parry, was awarded an Honorary Doctorate by UWS in 2024 in recognition of her contributions to literature and the arts. Writing as Ambrose Parry, the pair have sold hundreds of thousands of books worldwide, with their award-winning Raven and Fisher series which captures the world of 19th-century Edinburgh, ...
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Head of Oxfam Scotland’s Social Justice Work Celebrated at Dumfries Graduation
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Head of Oxfam Scotland’s Social Justice Work Celebrated at Dumfries Graduation

The Head of Oxfam Scotland has been recognised at the first of the University of the West of Scotland’s (UWS) winter graduations. Jamie Livingstone has been awarded an Honorary Doctorate at the University’s Dumfries graduation ceremony, which took place at the Crichton Memorial Church on Wednesday 22 October 2025. Jamie has been at the helm of Oxfam Scotland since 2013 and was celebrated for his work to reduce inequalities and to address the climate crisis, not just in Scotland, but across the globe. Born and brought up in Dunfermline, Jamie studied international relations and economics at the University of St Andrews. Before being appointed Head of Oxfam Scotland, he was the charity’s Campaigns and Communications Manager, following an almost decade-long career in journalism, incl...
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Charity leader recognised at UWS graduation
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Honorary Graduates, News

Charity leader recognised at UWS graduation

An influential figure in the third sector has been celebrated as part of University of the West of Scotland’s (UWS) summer graduations. Geoff Leask, previously the CEO of Young Enterprise Scotland, was recognised as part of a ceremony which took place at Paisley Abbey on Friday 11 July.  Geoff has more than 25 years of experience working in the third sector. As well as leading Young Enterprise Scotland, he also spent 12 years with the Prince’s Scottish Youth Business Trust (PSYBT). This included eight years of regional responsibility before joining the senior management team and going on to serve as Director.   https://youtu.be/DPaIyXShDnk?si=HfxyjtbTRG8WmeHr Geoff recently founded Clayhills Consultancy in August 2022 whose mission is to support charities and third ...
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