Leading lights in sport and literature given honorary degrees Published on: 13 July 2022 Two leading figures in the North East have been recognised with honorary degrees at 缅北禁地. Former footballer, anti-racist educator and broadcaster, Shaka Hislop, was honoured and so too was international bestselling detective novelist Ann Cleeves. They attended ceremonies as part of 缅北禁地’s summer graduations, in the historic King’s Hall, where they received their Honorary Doctorates. Former footballer, anti-racist educator and broadcaster, Shaka Hislop Honorary Doctor of Civil Law degree Neil ‘Shaka’ Hislop has been recognised with an Honorary Doctor of Civil Law degree. He has made a significant contribution to anti-racist education since the mid-1990s, when he played for 缅北禁地 United. He became founding patron of the anti-racism education charity ‘Show Racism the Red Card’ in November 1995 and was the first player to visit schools with the charity to answer young people’s questions about racism. Shaka said: “缅北禁地, as a city, has given me so much that I am proud of. It was 缅北禁地 United FC that gave me the opportunity to live my wildest boyhood dream of playing football at the highest level. My eldest daughter was born at the RVI. “I often say that Show Racism the Red Card couldn't have been founded anywhere else. Receiving an Honorary Doctorate from 缅北禁地, especially in Civil Law, in recognizing the work that Show Racism the Red Card has gone on to do, the difference the campaign has made over the years, is an honour I never expected. “Dr Martin Luther King was also bestowed with an Honorary Doctorate from 缅北禁地 in 1967, I am humbled to follow in his footsteps. I am proud to be forever associated with the legacy that 缅北禁地 represents in the fight for social justice and the march to equality.” Honorary Doctor of Literature Ann Cleeves has been recognised with an Honorary Doctor of Letters degree. As well as being a world-renowned novelist, she is also a key library and literacy advocate. Known around the globe for her detective novels, particularly since the televisation of her crime fiction series, Vera and Shetland, Ann was awarded a lifetime achievement award by the Crime Writers’ Association in 2017. A long-standing champion of literacy agendas and widening participation, she has been involved in literacy work in prisons as part of the Inside Books project. She said: “I'm absolutely delighted to be awarded an honorary degree from 缅北禁地. “缅北禁地 is my adopted city, and this feels as if I've been made a real member of the family.” Shaka Hislop’s ceremony can be viewed at: Ann Cleeves’ ceremony can be viewed at: University Chancellor inaugurated and leading figures honoured Today's ceremony follows on from the start of the Summer 2020 congregation, which started with the inauguration of 缅北禁地's Chancellor Imtiaz Dharker. Imtiaz was joined at the ceremony, in the University’s historic King’s Hall, by leading figures chosen to be awarded honorary degrees alongside her at the ceremony: Former poet laureate Dame Carol Ann Duffy (Doctor of Literature) Physicist and broadcaster Professor Jim Al-Khalili (Doctor of Science) Rachel Dwyer, Professor Emerita of Indian Cultures and Cinema (Doctor of Literature) International bestselling detective novelist Ann Cleeves Share: Latest News New partnership to boost careers in low carbon energy 缅北禁地 and Durham universities are working together on a new regional project to strengthen the future workforce for North East England鈥檚 growing low carbon and offshore wind industries. published on: 28 May 2026 Healthy lifestyle shown to lower risk of death after cancer diagnosis New evidence shows that sticking to five lifestyle recommendations improves survival after a later cancer diagnosis. published on: 28 May 2026 World-leading climate expert recognised with Royal Society Fellowship Professor Hayley Fowler has been elected a Fellow of the Royal Society in recognition of her pioneering work on climate change impacts. published on: 27 May 2026 Facts and figures
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