Keele University Honorary Degrees 2016
Broadcaster, author and parliamentarian, Melvyn Bragg is one of six people who will be awarded Honorary Degrees by Keele University next week.
He will be awarded the Doctor of the University degree on FRIDAY, 15TH JULY 2016 at 10.15 am, in recognition of his outstanding contribution to the popularisation of literature and the arts in the UK through his distinguished, life-long work as an award-winning author and broadcaster.
His broadcasting career began at the BBC in 1961 and soon afterwards he published his first novel. He worked on the arts programme Monitor with Huw Wheldon in the mid-1960s; during this time he began writing novels, set mostly in his native Cumbria. He collaborated with Ken Russell and wrote the 1970 film about Tchaikovsky, The Music Lovers.
In 1977 Melvyn Bragg started LWT’s long-running Arts programme, the multiple award-winning South Bank Show, making about 750 editions as well as other documentaries. The programme was de-commissioned in 2010, when he took the programme across to Sky Arts. As well as The South Bank Show, Sky Arts now does 30 editions a year of The South Bank Show Originals.
In the meantime Melvyn Bragg has expanded his range, presenting arts and science programmes and marshalling discussion shows on BBC Radio (on In Our Time), and writing non-fiction books including The Adventure of English and The Impact of The King James Bible as well as On Giants’ Shoulders, a series about the history of science. Over the past 50 years he has continued to write novels. He is an Honorary Fellow of the Royal Society and of The British Academy, and was given a Peerage in 1998.
Other Honorary Degree recipients are:
Professor Nick Foskett, MA, PhD, PGCE, FRGS, FRSA (former Vice-Chancellor of Keele University) - Doctor of Letters: THURSDAY 14TH JULY 2016 at 15.00 pm - In recognition of his outstanding contribution to the advancement of Keele University through his commitment to internationalisation, the student experience, environmental sustainability and the impact of Keele’s world-leading research.
Dr Malcolm Clarke, BA, PhD, FRSA, MIC - Doctor of the University: FRIDAY, 15TH JULY 2016 at 13.45 pm - In recognition of his distinguished career in public service, his outstanding contribution as a life-long advocate of Keele University, his support for our students and his services to the national football supporters movement.
Steve Cutts, BA, PGCE, EMBA - Doctor of the University: FRIDAY, 15TH JULY 2016 at 11.30 am - In recognition of his distinguished career in public service in the UK, Europe, the Commonwealth and the United Nations and his outstanding contribution to Keele University as an advocate of alumni engagement through the Keele in the USA alumni network.
Daniel Flynn - Master of the University: WEDNESDAY 13TH JULY 2016 at 11.30 am - In recognition of his support for marginalised young people in Staffordshire, as a champion for the social well-being of children and their families, his contribution to Social Sciences at Keele University and his leadership in establishing YMCA North Staffordshire as a significant organisation in the delivery of the strategic vision for our city.
Professor Anne Power CBE - Doctor of Letters: THURSDAY 14TH JULY 2016 at 13.45 pm - In recognition of her outstanding contribution to social policy on a national level as an advocate of social mobility through sustainable urban regeneration and community development.