An award-winning broadcaster and writer has been awarded an Honorary Doctorate from University of the West of Scotland at its winter graduations this week.

Anna Magnusson, who has worked in radio for more than 30 years, was recognised as part of a ceremony taking place at Paisley Abbey today (Tuesday 14 November).

Anna was first a researcher and then a producer for BBC Radio Scotland, producing programmes across a range of genres and networks.

She was also the Senior Producer of the Religion and Ethics department at BBC Radio Scotland until 2009.

As a freelance writer and award-winning broadcaster, she continues to tell stories on local and national radio, both in Scotland and the UK.

She is also the author of four books of non-fiction, including a biography of Vicky Jack, the oldest British woman to summit Mount Everest.

Anna has also written the history of the Quarriers charity – formerly Quarriers Homes in Bridge of Weir.

Stephanie Pitticas, Vice-Principal (Internationalisation) at UWS, in delivering Anna’s citation outlined her impressive career to date and in particular the importance of the art of storytelling.  

It’s a great honour for me to receive this degree from UWS. I’ve had a long-standing link with Renfrewshire through writing the history of the Quarriers charity. As a radio producer and presenter with over 30 years’ experience, I’m delighted to be part of a University which trains future broadcast journalists.

Anna Magnusson

Professor James Miller FRSE, Principal and Vice-Chancellor of UWS, said: “Graduation is the pinnacle of the University calendar. It gives us the opportunity to both reflect on the amazing achievements of our students and to celebrate this most important of milestones with their friends and families, as well as the whole UWS community who have supported them throughout their time at university.

“We are delighted to award Anna with an Honorary Doctorate, for her inspirational dedication to the world of broadcast journalism, writing and production as well as her creative writing and the art of story telling. I am sure, like me, there are many students from across UWS who are deeply inspired by Anna’s success throughout her career.”