Northumbria University awards honorary degrees at Summer congregations

This week marked the start of summer graduation ceremonies at Northumbria University, Newcastle where eminent figures from across health and social care, journalism, and design were awarded honorary degrees.

Chair of the Royal College of Physicians, Professor David Croisdale-Appleby OBE, has received an honorary degree of Doctor of Science.

Professor David Croisdale-Appleby is a leading expert on health and social care, an academic and career polymath. He has led many public sector organisations in medicine, health and social care, social work, forensic science, and criminal and civil justice.

His independent review of social work education, commissioned by the Government, has shaped the development of the profession, and forms the basis of the current major reform programme in social work.

Professor Croisdale-Appleby’s relentless search for social justice has driven all that he does. Having devoted much of his life to representing the interests of the oppressed, vulnerable, disabled and disadvantaged people across the world, in 2009 he was awarded an OBE for his work for social justice.

Celebrated broadcaster and journalist, Moira Stuart CBE, has received an honorary degree of Doctor of Letters.

With a career in radio and television spanning five decades, Moira made radio history in 1978 as BBC Radio 4’s first black announcer and newsreader. Then in 1981, she became the first black woman to read the national news on British television. She has continued to shift barriers to achieve personal success, while opening doors and paving the way for others.

Moira has been awarded many accolades in recognition of her success, including a CBE for services to media in the 2021 New Year Honour’s list, having previously received an OBE for services to broadcasting in 2001.

Moira’s achievements have made her a role model for others and she continues to inspire our students and graduates to challenge the status quo.

International design expert, Tim Brown CBE, has received an honorary degree of Doctor of Civil Law

Tim is the executive chairman of global design company, IDEO, which advises leading brands such as Ford Motor Company, Sony and H&M. He is also an alumnus having graduated over 30 years ago with a BA in Design for Industry from the University’s forerunner, Newcastle Polytechnic, and remains a Northumbria ambassador through his work as an external examiner and Visiting Professor.

Tim first published his book, Change by Design, in 2009 which focuses on ‘design thinking’. Design thinking brings together what is desirable from a human perspective with what is technologically feasible and economically viable. By championing design thinking, IDEO has designed and prototyped products as varied as the life-saving defibrillator to the ground-breaking PRADA store in Manhattan.

In 2021 Tim was awarded a CBE for services to design in the New Year’s Honours list.

Congregations at Northumbria will continue throughout next week to celebrate the achievements of more than 6,000 graduates who will be joined by almost 15,000 guests.