Professor Jim Al-Khalili awarded honorary doctorate at the University’s winter graduation

  • Tuesday, January 23, 2018

Over 700 students from the University of Roehampton graduated this week, with diverse degrees in a range of subjects from all ten Departments at the University.

Image - Professor Jim Al-Khalili awarded honorary doctorate at the University’s winter graduation

Graduates received their degrees in one of two ceremonies, presided by University Chancellor Professor Dame Jacqueline Wilson and Pro Chancellor Sir David Bell, at London's Royal Festival Hall.

During these ceremonies, the University also presented an honorary doctorate to Professor Jim Al-Khalili, MBE – a renowned science broadcaster and a professor of physics at the University of Surrey.

Professor Al-Khalili, is the presenter of ‘The Life Scientific’ on Radio 4, which he has led since 2011. The programme highlights the best leading scientists and gives an inspiring and revealing insight into modern science and its progression.

For his contributions towards popularising science, Professor Al-Khalili was recognised by the Royal Society and awarded the prestigious Michael Faraday Prize in 2007. This was followed by an OBE for his work in communicating science in 2008. He is also a member of the British Science Association and Senior Media Fellow of the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC).

During his career, Professor Al-Khalili has also presented a variety of high profile TV programmes such as Lost Horizons. The Big Bang on BBC4 2008, Brave New World on Channel 4 in 2011 and Horizon in 2011 and 2012. His BBC4 programme Chemistry: A Volatile History was nominated for a BAFTA in 2010. His popular science books have been translated into 20 languages and published world-wide. Professor Al-Khalili also supports the ‘Science is Vital’ campaign, which aims to put pressure on the government to protect funding for scientific research in the UK.

Professor Al-Khalili addressed the audience and said:  

“Days like today, are indeed wonderful occasions for everyone, certainly for University staff, the families of the students, and most important of course, the graduands themselves who have spent many hours in the last few years working hard, and are now ready to head off into the wider world to put their knowledge to work. Today is certainly a day to cherish and remember. On behalf of all of the graduands, I would like to thank the University of Roehampton for this honour.”