Honorary degrees awarded as Kent celebrates 50th

Press Office
Graduation at Canterbury Cathedral by University of Kent

Artist Humphrey Ocean is among those to receive honorary degrees from the University in ceremonies during July at Canterbury and Rochester cathedrals.

Others receiving honorary degrees include businessman Paul Dyer, Chair of the International Legal Assistance Consortium Elizabeth Howe, health education director Abdollah Tavabie, social policy researcher Jan Pahl, women’s studies pioneer Mary Evans and technology executive Anthony West.

Artist Humphrey Ocean was born in Sussex and attended art schools in Tunbridge Wells, Brighton and Canterbury. In 2004 he was elected a Royal Academician.  He will receive a Doctor of Arts degree, in recognition of his distinguished career in fine art, at Rochester Cathedral on Tuesday 7 July .

Businessman Paul Dyer was born in Reading and studies politics and government at the University of Kent. He trained in insurance and in 1997 he was co-founder of Towergate Partnership. He will receive a Doctor of the University degree, for his contribution to business and charity, at Canterbury Cathedral on Tuesday 14 July.

Chair of the International Legal Assistance Consortium Elizabeth Howe was born and educated in Wales. She began working as a public prosecutor in 1980 and was Chief Crown Prosecutor for Kent from 1999-2014. She will receive a Doctor of Laws degree, in recognition of her contribution to Law, at Canterbury Cathedral on Tuesday 14 July.

Health education director Professor Abdollah Tavabie was born in Iran, where he studied medicine. He then moved to the UK for his postgraduate education. He is currently Interim Dean Director for Health Education Kent, Surrey and Sussex and a Visiting Professor at the University of Kent. He will receive a Doctor of Science degree, in recognition of his services to medicine and education, at Rochester Cathedral, on Tuesday 7 July.

Social Policy expert Professor Jan Pahl worked for over 20 years as a social researcher at the University of Kent and has published seven books and more than 50 articles. She is currently Professor Emeritus of Social Policy at the University’s School of Social Policy, Sociology and Social Research. She will receive a Doctor of Letters degree, in recognition of her contribution to social policy, at Canterbury Cathedral on Thursday 16 July.

Women’s studies pioneer Professor Mary Evans was first appointed to the University of Kent in 1971 and has spent most of this time writing and researching the ways in which gender informs the social world. She is currently Emeritus Professor within the School of Social Policy, Sociology and Social Research. She will receive a Doctor of Letters degree, in recognition of her contribution to pioneering work in women’s studies, at Canterbury Cathedral on Thursday 16 July.

Communications and technology executive Dr Anthony West graduated from the University of Kent in computers and cybernetics. He worked at Sun Microsystems from 1983 to 2005 and from 2010 to 2013 at Cisco. He is currently Chief Executive Office of ectalent Inc. He will receive a Doctor of Science degree, in recognition of his contribution to communications and technology, at Canterbury Cathedral on Monday 13 July.

Also due to receive honorary degrees are:

Challenging Behaviour Foundation Chief Executive Vivien Cooper OBE (Doctor of the University, in recognition of her contribution to services for people with severe learning difficulties, Canterbury Cathedral, Monday 13 July )

Barrister and academic Professor Bob Hepple (Doctor of Laws, in recognition of his contribution to law and equality, Canterbury Cathedral, Tuesday 14 July )

Mytime Active charity Chief Executive Marg Mayne (Doctor of the University, in recognition of her contribution to business and charity, Canterbury Cathedral, Tuesday 14 July )

Risk management consultant John Covell (Doctor of the University, in recognition of his contribution to the University, Canterbury Cathedral, Wednesday 15 July )

Academic Professor Patrick Wright (Doctor of Letters, in recognition of his contribution to writing and broadcasting, Canterbury Cathedral, Thursday 16 July )

Historian Megan Vaughan (Doctor of Letters, in recognition of her contribution to the study of world history, Canterbury Cathedral, Friday 17 July )