Six to receive an honorary degree at summer ceremonies

A BBC sports broadcaster, a champion for food security and the Chief Executive Officer of Glasgow Science Centre are among those to be honoured as part of Glasgow Caledonian University’s summer graduation ceremonies.

Six notable personalities will be recognised with honorary degrees for embodying the University’s Common Good mission in their field.

The summer graduation ceremonies will take place on Friday, June 30, and Saturday, July 1, at Glasgow’s Royal Concert Hall.

At the ceremonies, graduates will also hear messages from the University's leadership team, including the Vice-Chancellor and Principal Professor Stephen Decent.

Professor Decent said: “These will be the first graduation ceremonies I have presided over since joining Glasgow Caledonian in January. They are very special events at which the whole University community comes together as one to celebrate the considerable achievements of our talented students and distinguished individuals, who live our values and inspire us all.”

The University will award honorary degrees to the following:

Chief Executive Officer of Glasgow Science Centre Stephen Breslin is committed to generating public interest in the sciences and inspiring the innovative thinkers of the future. Stephen has worked in the science and engineering industries for more than 20 years. He is a former Chief Executive Officer of think tank and research laboratory, Futurelab Education, and a former Chief Executive Officer of The Kelvin Institute Ltd, where he helped Scottish universities commercialise their intellectual property in photonics, software, biotech and renewable energy. He will receive a Doctor of Science in recognition of his outstanding contribution to science and technology.

Entrepreneur and philanthropist Dr Poonam Gupta OBE is CEO of one of Scotland’s most successful export businesses, PG Paper. Poonam launched PG Paper from her home in Kilmacolm and, today, her portfolio of companies turns over more than £60million and operates in more than 60 countries. She will receive a Doctor of Business Administration in recognition of her contribution to business and charity, and her commitment to promoting equality and diversity.

A passionate advocate for equality and diversity, Eilidh Barbour is challenging stereotypes in the male-dominated sphere of sports broadcasting. A reporter and presenter for the BBC and Sky Sports, Eilidh leads Sky Sports Scottish Premier League, the BBC’s Final Score, Football Focus, Match of the Day 2, and FA Cup draws and highlights, as well as The Women’s Football Show. She is also the face of the BBC's golf coverage. She will receive a Doctor of Letters in recognition of her contribution to sports presenting and reporting, and her commitment to promoting equality and diversity.

Deputy Chair of the Poverty and Inequality Commission, Lindsay Graham OBE is a tireless champion of food security and children’s rights. Named among Public Sector Catering’s Top 20 Most Influential for 2022, Lindsay is a passionate advocate of Glasgow Caledonian University’s Scottish Poverty and Inequality Research Unit (SPIRU), which is working to combat deprivation. She will receive a Doctor of the University in recognition of her relentless pursuit of social justice and success in advancing the cause of promoting food security in Scotland and beyond.

Professors Senga and John Bond are pioneers of nursing, gerontology and health services research whose revolutionary thinking has helped shape research models at Glasgow Caledonian University. The couple has written a series of ground-breaking papers and texts. Their most celebrated, Sociology and Health Care: An introduction for nurses and other health care Professionals, was first published in 1986, with a second edition in 1994. They will receive a Doctor of Science in recognition of services to, and research in, the field of nursing.