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Honorary degrees 2025

Inspirational Tynesiders to be honoured by Newcastle University

Published on: 8 July 2025

Historian David Olusoga and leading women and girls campaigner Huffty McHugh, are among those who will be awarded honorary degrees by Newcastle University this summer.

Lifelong commitment

David Olusoga, who grew up in Gateshead, is Professor of Public History at the University of Manchester and is probably the most currently well-known UK social historian, filmmaker and commentator, focusing particularly on issues of race, ethnicity, culture and integration. He will be made a Doctor of Civil Law on Monday 14 July.

Huffty McHugh has dedicated her life to the West End of Newcastle. Under her leadership, West End Women and Girls Centre has championed gender equality and driven lasting social change in the community since 1981. She will be conferred the degree of Doctor of Civil Law on Tuesday 15 July for her lifelong commitment to women and girls.  

A headshot of the historian Professor David Olusoga
Professor David Olusoga by Karen Robinson

Notable figures

Other notable figures being honoured are Professor Richard Oreffo, founder of the Cowrie Scholarship Foundation, which supports 100 financially disadvantaged Black British students. Newcastle University was the first institution to actively engage with the new foundation. He will be made an Honorary Doctor of Science on Thursday 10 July.

Leon Restaurants co-founder Henry Dimbleby will be made an Honorary Doctor of Science on Wednesday 16 July. Henry, who has advised the Government on food policy, has raised awareness of the importance of the UK food sector and highlighted the challenges it faces.

On Friday 18 July, Paul Walker, the former chief executive of Sage Group plc and Newcastle University’s Chair of Council from August 2017 to July 2024, will be made a Doctor of Civil Law.  

Currently the chairman of the Perform Group plc, Paul has enjoyed a long-standing relationship with Newcastle University. He served as a lay member of the University’s Council since 2011 and has been the chair of the Science City Partnership between the University and Newcastle City Council, since its inception in 2004.

Professor Chris Day, Vice-Chancellor and President of Newcastle University said: “What an honour to welcome such esteemed figures to our campus and to celebrate their outstanding  contributions to society. It is my great pleasure to welcome them to the Newcastle University community.”

 

A portrait of women and girls campaigner Huffty McHugh
Huffty McHugh
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