Honorary Degrees Committee

Nominations

Nominations for honorary degrees can be submitted at any time of the year. If you wish to submit a nomination, in confidence, please read the Notes of Guidance.

A copy of the nomination form can be obtained by sending an email to honorarydegrees@gcu.ac.uk .

Terms of reference

  1. On behalf of Senate to receive, in confidence, nominations from the constituencies Senate, University Court, Schools, the Students’ Association and individual members of University Staff, for Honorary awards and to consider such nominations.
  2. To report annually to Senate those nominees who confirm their acceptance of an Honorary award of the University.
  3. To rescind an honorary award in line with the Graduations and Awards Regulations
  4. To advise Senate on the range and titles of Honorary awards.
  5. To establish and keep under review, criteria for the appointment of Honorary Doctorates and University Fellowships.
  6. To prepare and keep under review, guidance notes on the procedures to be adopted for the nomination of individuals for Honorary awards.
  7. To undertake such other related duties as Senate may from time to time determine.

Composition and membership

  • Chair (Principal and Vice-Chancellor or Nominee) - Professor Mairi Watson
  • Provost and Deputy Vice Chancellor - Vacancy
  • University Secretary and Vice Principal Governance - Jan Hulme
  • Chief Operating Officer and Deputy Vice Chancellor - Vacancy
  • PVC Research (Interim) - Professor John Connolly
  • PVC Education - Professor Louise Dixon
  • PVC Engagement - Caroline Bysh
  • Vice Principal People and Student Wellbeing - Fiona Campbell
  • Vice Principal Strategy and Planning - Claire Hulsen

Deans of school

  • Glasgow School for Business and Society - Professor Shirley Rate
  • School of Science and Engineering - Professor Jo Lumsden
  • School of Health and Life Sciences - Professor Anita Simmers

GCU London representation

  • Director of GCU London - Professor Peter Jones

Up to two lay governors appointed by and from the Court

  • Chair of Court - Yvette Hopkins
  • Vice Chair of Court - Meg Lustman

Students’ Association

  • President of the Students’ Association - Oluwatomisin Osinubi
  • Elected Student Member (term of office one year from June 2025) - TBC

Director of Advancement and Communications - Jillian Watt

Secretary from the Department of Governance

Meetings

The Honorary Degrees Committee will normally meet twice a year. The Honorary Degrees Committee will next meet on 4 March 2026.

For further information on honorary degrees, please email honorarydegrees@gcu.ac.uk