Singer-songwriter and record producer, PinkPantheress is among eight impactful individuals who will receive an honorary degree from Kent in July.
PinkPantheress, who grew up in Canterbury, Kent before starting university in London, kickstarted her music career in 2021 via SoundCloud and TikTok. Internationally known for her Top 40 singles ‘Just for Me’, ‘Pain’ and ‘Boy’s a Liar’, she won BBC’s Sound of 2022 poll and Best Female Act at the MOBO awards in the same year, has been nominated for three Brit Awards amongst other major awards, and was named Producer of the Year by Billboard Women in Music in 2024. Her second album ‘Fancy That’ was released in May 2025 and has been critically acclaimed.
In recognition of her contribution to, and achievements in music in the digital age PinkPantheress will be made Doctor of Music on Tuesday 22 July at Canterbury Cathedral during one of Kent’s graduation ceremonies. Her honorary degree ceremony will follow a career highlight of performing at Glastonbury in June, before she will headline two sold out shows at the O2 Academy in Brixton in September.
The other honorary graduands are:
- Angela Cohen MBE (Monday 21 July, Canterbury) who will be made Doctor of Arts in recognition of her support for Holocaust survivors and for advancing Holocaust education and research.
- Prashant Baluja (Monday 21 July, Canterbury) who will be made Doctor of the University in recognition of his leadership and contribution to the Kent in India Alumni Association and wider engagement and partnership for the University in the region. Prashant is a Kent alumnus and successful retail and IT businessman.
- Sir Michael Morpurgo MBE (Tuesday 22 July, Canterbury) who will be made Doctor of Letters in recognition for his distinguished contribution to literature and work to support young people from inner city areas to gain experience of farms. Michael is a book author, poet, playwright, and librettist, renowned for his best-selling children’s novels such as War Horse.
- Andrea Arnold (Tuesday 22 July, Canterbury) who will be made Doctor of Arts in recognition of her award-winning work and contribution to film.
- Iain Dale (Wednesday 23 July, Canterbury) who will be made Doctor of the University for his services to political broadcasting and championing more civility and courtesy in the conduct of our political life. Iain is a British broadcaster, author and political commentator who presents the Evening Show on LBC Radio. Iain has twice been Radio Presenter of the Year and is a regular pundit on Good Morning Britain, Politics Live and Newsnight.
- Giles Clark (Wednesday 23 July, Canterbury) who will be made Doctor of Science in recognition of his contribution to conservation awareness and work in the Kent region at the Big Cat Sanctuary. Giles is Ambassador and former Director and of The Big Cat Sanctuary and a TV presenter.
- John Platt (Friday 25th July, Canterbury) who will be made Doctor of the University in recognition of his sustained and dedicated commitment to the University and support of the academic achievements of Kent students. John is a retired Group Captain of the RAF and one of the first 500 students to enrol at Kent in October 1965.
Kent’s graduation ceremonies this year take place at Rochester Cathedral on 14 July and Canterbury Cathedral from 21-25 July.