Honorary degree awarded to Professor Dame Nancy Rothwell

An honorary degree from Manchester Met has been presented to Professor Dame Nancy Rothwell, President and Vice-Chancellor of The University of Manchester, in recognition of her services to higher education and the region.

Dame Nancy received the award at the graduation ceremony in the Bridgewater Hall, telling the audience she was ‘tremendously honoured’, praising the graduates for their hard work and speaking about the many opportunities that lay ahead for them.

She was presented with the honorary Doctorate in Education (DEd) from Manchester Met Vice-Chancellor Professor Malcolm Press CBE in recognition of her contributions to the higher education sector, her commitment to Greater Manchester, and her impact on the city region.

Both universities are celebrating their 200^th anniversary and can trace their roots back to the Manchester Mechanics Institution.

She told the ceremony: “I’m tremendously honoured to receive this award. This is a particularly important award to me because Manchester Metropolitan is a good neighbour and close partner, collaborator, and friend of The University of Manchester.

“Together, we share a very important history which this year is marked by our 200-year celebrations.

“Manchester Met is an esteemed university that continues to go from strength to strength. We’ve done many things together and I’m sure we will continue to do so in the future.”

Vice-Chancellor Professor Press, presenting the honorary degree, said: “I’m delighted to honour Dame Nancy with this award. Dame Nancy is an academic leader of distinction and strong champion of the North and of Greater Manchester.

“She is a leader, inspiration and role model. I can think of no more fitting way of recognising her achievements in our bicentenary year than the award of an honorary doctorate.

“Throughout my career Nancy has been there as an inspiration, colleague and friend to look up to. Not just to me but for Manchester Metropolitan University through our close relationship and history with our neighbours The University of Manchester.

“Dame Nancy’s legacy will be felt in many years to come.”

Dame Nancy is a research scientist in the field of neuroscience, contributing towards major advances in the understanding and treatment of brain damage in stroke and head injury. She will retire this summer after 14 years leading the University of Manchester (UoM).

She has boosted the research profile and reputation of the UoM and is a passionate advocate for education, and for women in STEM. Preston-born Dame Nancy has, throughout her career, been a champion of the North and Manchester especially.

She is a Deputy Lieutenant for Greater Manchester, Chair of the Oxford Road Corridor Board, and a member of the Greater Manchester Local Enterprise Partnership Board and the Northern Powerhouse Partnership Board.

Dame Nancy has held a range of national roles, currently including Chair of the Russell Group and co-Chair of the Science Advisory Council. She was elected Fellow of the Royal Society in June 2004 and made Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire in June 2005 in recognition of her services to science.