Doctor Who star Ncuti Gatwa to receive honorary doctorate
Doctor Who Star Ncuti Gatwa to Be Honored with Honorary Doctorate
The University of Glasgow is set to award honorary degrees to several notable figures, including Ncuti Gatwa, the star of the long-running sci-fi series Doctor Who, and Stuart Murdoch, the lead singer of Belle and Sebastian. The ceremony, scheduled for June, will also recognize BBC journalist Sarah Smith and her younger sister, Baroness Catherine Smith, who serves as the Advocate General for Scotland.
Other Recipients and Ceremony Details
In addition to Gatwa and Murdoch, the university will confer honorary degrees on musicians Deacon Blue and Eddi Reader. A special event on June 17 will commemorate the 575th anniversary of the institution’s founding in 1451. This ceremony will highlight the university’s rich history while celebrating the achievements of its new honorary graduates.
“Honorary degrees offer us a way to honor individuals whose accomplishments have shaped their fields and inspired society,” said Prof Andy Schofield, the university’s principal and vice chancellor. “Their work reflects values that continue to resonate within our community. It’s a privilege to welcome them into the Glasgow family during this historic milestone and to share the occasion with our graduating students.”
Notable Honorees and Their Contributions
Ncuti Gatwa, who portrayed the Doctor in the show for two seasons, will receive the title of Doctor of the University. Sarah Smith, the BBC’s North America editor, will also be honored with the same distinction. Baroness Catherine Smith, a graduate of Glasgow’s history department and appointed to her current role in 2024, will join her sibling in receiving the award. Meanwhile, Jacqueline McLaren, Glasgow’s Lord Provost, will be granted a Doctor of the University as well.
Stuart Murdoch, whose band Belle & Sebastian has been active since the 1990s, will be awarded a Doctor of Music. Other accolades include a Doctor of Letters for Prof Guido Tabellini, a political economics chair at Bocconi University, and a Doctor of Science for Dr Stuart Campbell, an emeritus professor at King’s College London.
