Ncuti Gatwa among stars receiving honorary degrees from University of Glasgow
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The University of Glasgow is set to honour iconic musicians, a Doctor Who and a broadcaster.
The University of Glasgow will award honorary degrees to individuals including Doctor Who star Ncuti Gatwa, Belle and Sebastian frontman Sturart Murdoch and BBC North America Editor Sarah Smith in recognition of their outstanding contributions in the fields of arts, politics, science and humanities.
Also being honoured is the Advocate General for Scotland, Baroness Catherine Smith.
The special Commemoration Day ceremony will take place on Wednesday 17 June, which this year also marks the 575th anniversary of the University’s foundation in 1451.
Honorary degrees will also be conferred at the University’s summer and winter graduation ceremonies, with recipients including musicians Deacon Blue and Eddi Reader.
Professor Andy Schofield, Principal & Vice Chancellor, said: “As we celebrate the University of Glasgow’s 575th anniversary, this year’s Commemoration Day is particularly meaningful. It allows us to reflect on our remarkable history and the generations of people who have shaped the University, while looking ahead to the contributions we will make in the years to come.
“Honorary degrees give us the opportunity to recognise 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.”
Full list of recipients:
Doctor of Letters (DLitt)
Professor Guido Tabellini - Intesa Sanpaolo Chair in Political Economics at Bocconi University, Milan
Doctor of Science (DSc)
Dr Stuart Campbell, FRCPEd, FRCOG, FACOG - Emeritus Professor of Obstetrics and Gynaecology at King’s College, London
Doctor of Music (DMus)
Stuart Murdoch - Musician
Doctor of the University (DUniv)
Ncuti Gatwa - Actor
Jacqueline McLaren - Lord Provost of Glasgow
Baroness Catherine Smith - Barrister and Life Peer, House of Lords
Sarah Smith - BBC North America Editor
Summer 2026 Graduations – 23 June – 9 July
Doctor of Letters (DLitt)
Michael Clark, CBE - Choreographer and Dancer
Antonia Lloyd-Jones - Translator
Professor Michael Spence - Economist
Doctor of Science (DSc)
Professor Carole Mundell - Director of Science at the European Space Agency (ESA) - Head of the European Space Astronomy Centre (ESAC), Madrid
Professor Ntobeko Ntusi - Physician and Cardiologist
Doctor of Music (DMus)
Janet Eveline Beat - Musician
Deacon Blue - Musicians
Doctor of Engineering (DEng)
Dr. Mallik Tatipamula - Chief Technology Officer - Ericsson, Silicon Valley
Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVMS)
Dr. Melvyn James Pond, BVMS, MRCVS, DACVS - Veterinary Surgeon
Doctor of the University (DUniv)
Chris O’Shea - Chief Executive Officer Centrica
Dr Adam Posen, CBE - President of the Peterson Institute for International Economics
Winter 2026 Graduations
Doctor of Letters (DLitt)
David Pratt - Journalist, Photographer, Broadcaster, Painter
Doctor of Science (DSc)
Professor Joachim von Braun - Professor of Economics and Technical Change - Centre for Development Research (ZEF) at the University of Bonn
Doctor of Music (DMus)
Eddi Reader, MBE - Musician