Explore the recipients of Durham University's Honorary Degrees and Awards for 2024.
Biography: Richard Ovenden is the 25th Bodley’s Librarian - the senior executive position at the Bodleian Libraries, and he also serves as Head of Gardens, Libraries and Museums at the University of Oxford.
After graduating from Durham, his career has taken in the Durham University Library, the House of Lords Library, the National Library of Scotland and the University of Edinburgh. Richard has published widely on the history of collecting and photography, on the library, archive, and information world, and the history of deliberate destruction of knowledge. His book ‘Burning the Books’ was shortlisted for the 2021 Wolfson History Prize.
Richard was awarded the OBE in 2019 for services to libraries and archives. Richard was made an International Honorary Member of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences in 2023.
Richard was awarded a Doctor of Letters on 27 June.
Biography: Dr Dalee Sambo Dorough is a human rights advocate specialising in international relations, Alaska Native rights, and the rights of Indigenous Peoples.
Dalee was part of the Alaska Tribal sovereignty movement for decades and the negotiations leading to the 2007 adoption of the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples. She has served on the UN Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues [2011 to 2016] and the UN Expert Mechanism on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples [2023-2026].
She was honoured with a Reebok Human Rights Award in 1988; the Bill Edmunds Award in 1989; and the International Arctic Science Committee Medal in 2022. She was one of the ten ‘Women of the Century’ selected as Alaska’s most influential women.
Dalee was awarded a Doctor of Civil Law on 28 June.
Biography: Hunter Davies is a renowned author, journalist and broadcaster. Formerly editor of the Sunday Times magazine, he has authored more than 100 published books, from novels and children's books to football, travel and biographies, including the only authorised biography of The Beatles.
Hunter attained his bachelor’s degree and a diploma in teaching from Durham University. During his time as a student at Durham, he was editor of the student newspaper, Palatinate, and Senior Man of University College.
Hunter is an avid football fan and his autobiography ‘The Beatles, Football and Me’ was published in 2007. His memoir, The Co-op's Got Bananas, gives a warm recollection of his time as a Durham University student.
Hunter was awarded a Doctor of Letters on 1 July.
Biography: Margaret Bradshaw is a tireless advocate for the conservation of unique plant life, a world-expert botanist and an enthusiastic teacher.
Born in 1926, Margaret worked as a teacher before she began studying and mapping the rare Lady’s Mantle plant species in Teesdale and Weardale, County Durham, achieving a PhD from Durham University in 1959. Since then, she has constantly advocated for conservation of the unique flora of Teesdale and her first book, Teesdale's Special Flora: Places, Plants and People, was published in 2023.
Her early works, and those of her PhD students, remain the foundation for change measurement in Teesdale to the present-day.
Margaret was awarded a Doctor of Science on 2 July.
Biography: Anne-Marie Imafidon MBE is co-founder of Stemettes, an award-winning social initiative which has helped tens of thousands of girls, young women and non-binary young people realise their potential in Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths.
Anne-Marie was just 20 when she received a Master’s degree in Mathematics and Computer Science from the University of Oxford. Her passion for learning and inspiring others has also seen her become an author, podcaster and, temporarily, the Arithmetician on Channel 4’s Countdown.
She holds several education roles, including sitting on Durham University’s Computer Science Advisory Board. Durham’s alumni-funded Anne-Marie Imafidon Scholarships for Women in Technology are named in her honour.
Anne-Marie was awarded a Doctor of Science on 3 July.
Biography: James Timpson has been Chief Executive of Timpson Group since 2002, helping the business grow to over 2,100 retail stores.
A Durham University graduate, he has continued the company’s culture of trust and kindness where everyone at Timpson is equal. James is passionate about the employment of formerly imprisoned people and established the Timpson Foundation to support the recruitment of marginalised groups within society. He has been Chair of the Prison Reform Trust since 2016.
James received an OBE in 2011 for the training and employment of disadvantaged people. Timpson Group is now one of the UK’s largest employers of ex-offenders.
James was awarded a Doctor of Science on 3 July.
Biography: Dame Sarah Connolly is a mezzo-soprano known internationally for her baroque, classical and Wagnerian roles. She is a renowned concert and recital singer.
She was born in County Durham and studied piano and singing at the Royal College of Music, of which she is now a Fellow.
In 2011 she was honoured by the Incorporated Society of Musicians and presented with the Distinguished Musician Award. She is the recipient of the Royal Philharmonic Society’s 2012 Singer Award where she is also an Honorary Member.
She was appointed a CBE in 2010 and a DBE in 2017 for services to music.
Biography: Ambassador Desra Percaya, PhD, currently serves as the Indonesian Ambassador to the UK, with accreditation to Ireland and the International Maritime Organization (IMO).
In his role in shaping Indonesia's foreign policy, he has been a leading figure in the nation's initiatives for international peace, security, human rights, law, conflict resolution, legal affairs, and economic development.
From 2009 to 2020, he held significant positions, including Director General for Asia Pacific Affairs, Indonesia's Ambassador to the United Nations in New York, and Deputy Permanent Representative to the UN in Geneva.
Ambassador Percaya pursued his education at various universities in Indonesia, Switzerland, and the UK, specifically at the University of Birmingham and Durham University.
In 2014, he was conferred an honorary doctorate in Diplomacy by the University of Birmingham.
Biography: Alison Gowman has forged a successful career in both the law and politics.
After graduating from Durham University in 1977, Alison worked for global law firm DLA Piper, becoming their first female partner.
She is an Alderman for Dowgate Ward and served as Sheriff of the City of London. She is a leading proponent on environmental issues and a founder of the City's climate action strategy.
Alison has made a significant contribution to sustainability and green finance and is passionate about philanthropy and diversity in business. She also brings her considerable experience to organisations including the Museum of London and St Paul's Cathedral, where she is a Lay Canon.
Biography: The Lord Darroch of Kew KCMG (Kim Darroch) is a former diplomat, serving as UK Ambassador to the United States between 2016 and 2019. He also served as National Security Adviser and UK Permanent Representative to the European Union.
Lord Darroch is a Knight Commander of the Order of St Michael and St George (KCMG). He was created Baron Darroch of Kew and St Mawes in 2019 and is a member of the House of Lords.
He graduated from Durham with a degree in Zoology in 1975 and maintains a strong connection with the University.
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