Honorary awards
A number of honorary awards, one of higher education’s most significant accolades, are conferred at our graduation ceremonies each year.
Edge Hill’s honorary awards celebrate individuals who have roots in, or connections to, the region and have achieved at least one of the following:
- Made an exceptional and outstanding contribution to the development of the University over a prolonged period.
- Gained recognition for national or international excellence in an academic area relevant to the University.
- Made a significant contribution to the national cultural, academic, educational, professional or economic arena.
Vice-Chancellor Professor Michael Young said: “Graduation is the most important week in our academic calendar, a time to celebrate our students’ talent and determination.
“We are proud to be joined by such inspiring individuals whose values and achievements align closely with Edge Hill’s own mission. We hope their stories will encourage this year’s graduates to pursue their goals with courage and purpose.”
2025 honorary award nominees
This year’s honorary doctors have been chosen in line with the University’s mission and values – to inspire minds and shape a better future – and each one is a role model and source of inspiration for graduating students.
Claire has been a driving force behind Liverpool’s cultural resurgence, overseeing landmark events such as Liverpool’s European Capital of Culture programme and the city’s successful hosting of Eurovision 2023. She is Director of Culture and Major Events for Liverpool City Council and a national advisor on cultural policy. Her work demonstrates the power of creativity to transform places and communities.
Read more about Claire’s ceremony
Amy is a distinguished British para taekwondo athlete who has won multiple World and European titles; she was the first Briton to represent the sport at the Paralympic Games. As a trailblazer for inclusion and representation in martial arts, she has inspired countless others to follow in her footsteps.
Read more about Amy’s ceremony
Professor Sweeney is one of the most influential figures in UK higher education policy. As founding Executive Chair of Research England and architect of the Research Excellence Framework’s ‘impact’ agenda, he has shaped how universities demonstrate the real-world benefits of their research.
John was the longest-serving Vice-Chancellor of a UK higher education sector when he retired from Edge Hill earlier this year, having served as leader for more than 30 years. He is credited with transforming Edge Hill from a teacher training college into one of the UK’s leading universities. During his tenure, the institution won numerous awards including Modern University of the Year, The Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide, 2022.
From a standout debut on The X Factor to a successful international music career, Rebecca Ferguson has also emerged as a prominent voice for artists’ rights and industry reform. An advocate for survivors of abuse and discrimination, her campaigning work has led to discussions in Parliament about regulation and safety in the music industry.
Liverpool-born Chelcee Grimes is a successful singer-songwriter who has penned hits for Kylie Minogue, Dua Lipa and Little Mix. Also a former professional footballer for clubs including Everton and Fulham, Chelcee has become a prominent media personality and advocate for LGBTQ+ representation in sport and music. Her career reflects creativity, resilience and a commitment to breaking down barriers; all characteristics mirrored in Edge Hill’s vision.
Previous nominees
Below you can find some of the most recent recipients of our honorary awards, as well as a full list of honorary graduates throughout our history.
Chris Kirkland
- Honorary Doctor of Philosophy
- Recognised for his contributions to sport and mental health advocacy
Chris Kirkland is an English football coach and former professional goalkeeper. As a player, he made 321 league and cup appearances in an 18-year professional career from 1998 to 2016 and won one cap for the English national team in 2006.
He has been open and honest about his battle with a long-term addiction to painkillers and struggles with poor mental health. He helped to set up the “Make Talk Your Goal” campaign, helping young boys to be more open about their own struggles.
Clive Myrie
- Honorary Doctor of the Arts
- Recognised for his work his work bringing major news of recent history to the television screen.
Clive Myrie worked for 30 years as a BBC journalist. He has reported from close to 100 countries, covering some of the most important stories of our time including every US Presidential election since 1996.
He’s won among other accolades the Royal Television Society Award for TV Journalist of the Year and Presenter of the Year, a Peabody Award for his reporting of the Rohingya/Myanmar crisis, the David Bloom Award for coverage of Mexico’s deadly drug gangs, and he’s been nominated for two BAFTA Awards and two Emmys. A fan of classical music, he is now a regular presenter of the BBC Proms. As host of Mastermind, Clive continues to promote the value of knowledge to audiences across the UK.
Dr Zoe Williams
- Honorary Doctor of Science
- Recognised for her work promoting healthy lifestyles and for inspiring the next generation of health professionals.
Dr Zoe Williams is one of the country’s best-known GPs and resident doctor on ITV’s This Morning.
The practicing GP and media medic boasts accolades such as being named on the Pulse Power 50 List as one of the country’s most influential GP’s. Outside of the surgery, Zoe is a National Adviser for Public Health England and is a clinical adviser to the Royal College of General Practitioners. She is also a director and founding member of the British Society of Lifestyle Medicine.
Nisha Katona MBE
- Honorary Doctor of Business Administration
- Recognised for her success as a restauranteur, food writer and broadcaster.
Nisha Katona opened her first Mowgli Street Food restaurant in 2014, serving contemporary Indian cuisine, and she now has 10 restaurants across the country, with her eleventh due to open in Bristol before the end of the year.
In 2018 Mowgli was listed in The Sunday Times Fast Track 100 Businesses, and the following year Nisha was appointed by the Cabinet Office as Ambassador for Diversity in Public Appointments and recognised with an MBE for services to the food industry.
Another central pillar of the business is Nisha’s dedication to charitable giving through The Mowgli Trust.
Professor Phil Scraton
“Whatever you choose to do, never ever be told you’re not worthy, never ever by told you’re not good enough or your chosen path isn’t for the likes of you.”
Professor Phil Scraton
- Honorary Doctor of Philosophy
- Recognised for his contribution to the campaign for justice for the victims and survivors of the Hillsborough Disaster.
For nearly three decades, Professor Phil Scraton, a founder member of the charity INQUEST, has worked alongside bereaved families and survivors of the 1989 Hillsborough Disaster. His initial research critiqued the Taylor inquiry, media coverage and police insensitivity, while his later work exposed the systematic review and alteration of police statements.
Phil headed the research of the Hillsborough Independent Panel and was the primary author of its 2012 report which led to the original inquest verdicts being quashed and new inquests established.
