Every year as part of our Graduation season, we award a small number of honorary degrees, in recognition of an individual’s intellectual, creative, or academic achievement.
Receiving an honorary degree from the University this year are:
Christine McGrath, Fellow
Christine, a senior leader in the NHS who began her career as a nurse, is the inaugural Managing Director of Wessex Health Partners, the region’s Academic Health Science Centre. She has worked at the University Hospital Southampton for almost 20 years, dedicating that time to strengthening the hospital’s partnership with the university.
Dr Ewan Kirk, Doctor of Science
Ewan is the founder of Cantab Capital Partners, a science-driven investment management firm, and for over 30 years has led ventures to commercialise, apply and leverage research in both business and philanthropy. He is also a Southampton alumnus, with his PhD in General Relativity.
Gill Rider, Doctor of Science
After leaving the University of Southampton with a PhD in Botany, Gill has spent most of her career in operational and executive management roles at Accenture LLP. She also spent five years as Director General in the Cabinet Office as Head of the Civil Service Capability Group, and was made a CBE in 2011. Today, she is president of the Marine Biological Association.
Juliet Fraser, Doctor of Music
Soprano singer Juliet is a founder member of the EXAUDI vocal ensemble and is recognised as one of the foremost interpreters of contemporary music. She is an active commissioner of new repertoire and has worked closely with composers including Laurence Crane, Pascale Criton, Michael Finnissy, Cassandra Miller and Rebecca Saunders. This year, Juliet is launching VOICEBOX, a training programme for singers wanting to specialise in contemporary performance.
Justine Greening, Doctor of Law
Since graduating from Southampton in 1990 with a first class honours degree in Business Economics and Accounting, Justine has become a household name as an MP, tackling some of the biggest projects and challenges facing society. As Secretary of State for Transport, she oversaw transport arrangements for the 2012 London Olympic Games. As Secretary of State for Education, she launched the Social Mobility Action Plan, and wrote the Early Career Framework for teachers. And, as Minister for Women and Equalities, she launched the Gender Pay Gap tool.
Dr Margaret Leinen, Doctor of Science
Margaret is the Director of Scripps Institution of Oceanography and Vice-Chancellor for Marine Science at the University of California in San Diego. Her research includes studying ocean carbon cycling and the role of the oceans in Earth’s climate. Margaret is also currently co-chair for the Decade Advisory Board for the UN Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development.
Professor Rogier Sanders, Doctor of Science
Rogier is Professor of Virology at the University of Amsterdam and also holds an affiliate faculty position at Weill Medical College at Cornell University, New York City. In 2011, he received the Dutch Prize for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, and he shared the top position in a top 10 list of the ‘hottest authors in HIV/AIDS research 2013-2015’, compiled by Thomson Reuters.
Dr Stephen Duckworth, Doctor of Science
Paralysed from the neck down from a rugby accident when he was a student, Stephen has dedicated his career to disability campaigning, medicine, entrepreneurship and academia. He has campaigned for anti-discrimination legislation, sat on the University’s court and council, and mentored students. He ran a consultancy business called Disability Matters, and has picked up an OBE for services to disabled people.
