Nominations are now open for honorary doctorate candidates for 2026 – who do you think deserves to receive the University of Reading’s highest honour?
Honorary awards are conferred on distinguished academics, writers, local and national campaigners, broadcasters and more, in recognition of the contributions they have made in their fields and to public life.
Whether it’s somebody you know personally, or somebody whose work you admire and think is a great fit for Reading, you can nominate them for recognition.
Ideally, your nominee will have some connection with the University or the local area, and embody one or more of the four principles that underpin our University Strategy: Community, Excellence, Sustainability and Engagement. We are particularly interested in candidates who would enjoy the prospect of being an active member of our University community.
Recent awards
At our most recent Graduation in December 2024, we awarded doctorates to two distinguished leaders: Steve McManus, a local NHS leader who became chief executive of the Royal Berkshire NHS Foundation Trust in 2017, 30 years after first qualifying as a nurse. And Professor Penny Endersby CBE, who serves as chief executive of the Met Office and President of the European Centre for Medium-range Weather Forecasting; two organisations with strong links to the University.
Past honorary doctorates recipients have included local designer and former Reading lecturer Martin Andrews, European Commissioner for Health and Food Safety Stella Kyriakides, and founder of The Nasio Trust charity Nancy Mudenyo Hunt. Our Chancellor, Paul Lindley OBE, was awarded an honorary doctorate in 2013, and continued to foster a partnership with the University, including launching the just IMAGINE if… research grant in 2019. He was installed as Chancellor in 2022.
How to nominate
Please fill in the online form by Friday 7 March 2025. You’ll need to provide some details about your nominee and contact information if you have it. You should also explain why you think your nominee deserves the award.
Give as much information as you can, but don’t worry if you’re not sure of every detail. Your submission will go to the Honorary Degrees Sub-Committee, who will review all the information and make the final decision.
University staff, students and alumni can all submit nominations. Please note that self-nominations and nominations for current members of University staff will not be accepted.
