Honorary Awards

During graduation ceremonies the University may confer honorary degrees (‘honoris causa’) on persons who:

  • have made major contribution to the work of the University either by personal service or by other means; and/or
  • have made a major contribution to activities more widely associated with education, business, industry, public service, sport, STEM, culture or the arts; and/or
  • will enhance the status of the University and demonstrate an outstanding contribution in their chosen field; and/or
  • will be a role model to UWS graduates and has the potential to act as an ambassador for the University.

Honorary Award Archive

You can find information on previous Honorary Awards here:

 

Nominations

Nominations for honorary awards are considered by the University’s Honorary Awards Committee against the award criteria. The following honorary awards are available:

  • Doctor of Science (DSc)
  • Doctor of Letters (DLitt)
  • Doctor of Technology (DTech)
  • Doctor of Engineering (DEng)
  • Doctor of Laws (LLD)
  • Doctor of the University (DUniv)

Marisa Haetzman

The Honorary Degree of Doctor of Letters was conferred on 5th July 2024 at Paisley Abbey in recognition of Marisa Haetzman's significant contribution from medicine to literature.

Dr Audrey Cameron OBE

The Honorary Degree of Doctor of Science was conferred on 5th July 2024 at Paisley Abbey in recognition of Audrey Cameron'a significant services to Chemical Sciences and also nurturing emerging deaf scientists.

Aileen Ponton

The Honorary Degree of Doctor of the University was conferred on 12th November 2024 at Paisley Abbey in recognition of Aileen Ponton's significant achievements in business, in supporting education and as a UWS Alumnus.

John Loughton BEM

The Honorary Degree of Doctor of the University was conferred on 12th November 2024 at Paisley Abbey in recognition of John Loughton's significant contribution as a leader in community and youth education worldwide.

Alex Gray

The Honorary Degree of Doctor of Letters was conferred on 14th November 2024 at Paisley Abbey in recognition of Alex Gray's significant contribution and achievements as a Scottish author.

Professor Mark Girolami FREng FRSE

The Honorary Degree of Doctor of Science was conferred on 14th November 2024 at Paisley Abbey in recognition of Professor Mark Girolami's significant contribution and achievements in the fields of Data Science and Artificial Intelligence and as an UWS Alumnus.

Angela Noon OBE

The Honorary Degree of Doctor of the University was conferred on 15th November 2024 at Paisley Abbey in recognition of PAngela Noon's significant contribution and achievements in business, in supporting education and as a UWS Alumnus.

Clive Myrie

The Honorary Degree of Doctor of the University was conferred on 15th November 2024 at Paisley Abbey in recognition of Clive Myrie's significant contribution and achievements within broadcasting, promoting the transformational power of education and championing equality and diversity.

Professor Colin Riordan CBE

The Honorary Degree of Doctor of the University was conferred on 10th July 2025 at Paisley Abbey in recognition of Professor Colin Riordan's significant contribution and achievements in the field of Education globally and to th

Geoff Leask

The Honorary Degree of Doctor of the University was conferred on 11th July 2025 at Paisley Abbey in recognition of Geoff Leask's significant contribution and achievements in the realms of enterprise, education and entrepreneurship.

Andrew Malcolm MBE

The Honorary Degree of Doctor of the University was conferred on 15th November 2023 at Paisley Abbey in recognition of his significant accomplishments as a local businessman and with his charity work.

Ann Moulds

The Honorary Degree of Doctor of the University was conferred on 16th November 2023 at Paisley Abbey in recognition of her significant work as a campaigner, activist and an ambassador towards stalking specific crimes and support for victims.

Lewis Pugh OIG

The Honorary Degree of Doctor of the University was conferred on 6th July 2023 at Paisley Abbey in recognition of Lewis Pugh’s significant accomplishments as an endurance swimmer and ocean advocate.

Anna Magnusson

The Honorary Degree of Doctor of Letters was conferred on 14th November 2023 at Paisley Abbey in recognition of her significant accomplishments in broadcasting, journalism and as an author.

Dorothy Byrne

The Honorary Degree of Doctor of the University was conferred on 17th November 2022 at Paisley Abbey in recognition of Dorothy Byrne’s significant contribution to journalism and television.

Erin Cuthbert

The Honorary Degree of Doctor of the University was conferred on 4th July 2023 at Paisley Abbey in recognition of Erin Cuthbert’s significant contribution to women’s football.

Dr Waiyin Hatton

The Honorary Degree of Doctor of the University was conferred on 6th July 2022 at Paisley Abbey in recognition of Dr Hatton’s significant accomplishments to lifelong learning, people development, social sciences, nursing and sport.

Professor Sheila Rowan CBE

The Honorary Degree of Doctor of the University was conferred on 16th November 2022 at Paisley Abbey in recognition of Professor Rowan’s significant contribution to science as a globally respected physicist.

Dr Sally Kuenssberg CBE

The Honorary Degree of Doctor of the University was conferred on 8th July 2022 at Paisley Abbey in recognition of Dr Sally Kuenssberg’s significant contribution and commitment to public service and social justice.

John McGlynn

The Honorary Degree of Doctor of the University was conferred on 5th July 2022 at Paisley Abbey in recognition of John McGlynn‘s significant accomplishments as an entrepreneur and investments his home town of Paisley.

Last updated: 10/10/2025