Nominate an inspirational honorary doctorate candidate

Nominations are now open for honorary doctorate candidates, and colleagues, students and the alumni community can now tell us who they’d like to see receive the University of Reading’s highest honour.

Whether it’s somebody you know personally, or somebody whose work you admire and think is a great fit for Reading, you can nominate them for recognition.

Ideally, your nominee will have some connection with the University or the local area, and embody one or more of the four principles that underpin our University Strategy: Community, Excellence, Sustainability and Engagement. We are particularly interested in candidates who would enjoy the prospect of being an active member of our University community. 

Honorary awards are conferred on distinguished academics, writers, campaigners, broadcasters and more, in recognition of the contributions they have made in their fields and to public life.

At our most recent Graduation in December 2023, we awarded doctorates to BBC Radio 3 presenter Fiona Talkington, local designer and former Reading lecturer Martin Andrews, and European Commissioner for Health and Food Safety Stella Kyriakides, following nominations from University colleagues and alumni. 

Reading hosts UK Graduation ceremonies each summer and winter, with Henley Business School graduations also taking place in September.

Part of a Reading community

Past honorary doctorates have maintained a special link as part of our University community. 

Our Chancellor, Paul Lindley OBE was awarded an honorary doctorate in 2013, and continued to foster a partnership with the University, including launching the just IMAGINE if… research grant in 2019. He was installed as Chancellor in 2022.

Nancy Mudenyo Hunt, founder of the Nasio Trust charity helping people in western Kenya get out of poverty, received an honorary award in 2022. She went on to host the University’s inaugural Celebration of Volunteering the following year, recognising the contributions of others and cementing her link with the University.

How to nominate

Please fill in the online form by 8 March 2024. You’ll need to provide some details about your nominee, and contact information if you have it. You should also explain why you think your nominee deserves the award.

Give as much information as you can, but don’t worry if you’re not sure of every detail. Your submission will go to the Honorary Degrees Sub-Committee, who will make the final decision.

Please note that self-nominations and nominations for current members of University staff will not be accepted.