TV historian to receive honorary degree

David Olusoga, from Gateshead, was awarded an OBE in 2019

TV historian David Olusoga is to receive an honorary degree this summer.

Newcastle University will make the social historian, from Gateshead, an Honorary Doctor of Civil Law.

Olusoga won a TV Bafta for his documentary Britain's Forgotten Slave Owners in 2016 and received the Bafta Special Award in 2023 for his impact on the TV industry and wider society. He was awarded an OBE in 2019.

Campaigner Huffty McHugh from Newcastle's West End Women and Girl's Centre would be honoured as well for her lifelong commitment to gender equality and social change, the university said.

She will also become an Honorary Doctor of Civil Law.

Other notable figures being honoured include Professor Richard Oreffo, founder of the Cowrie Scholarship Foundation which supports 100 financially disadvantaged Black British students.

Huffty McHugh will be made an Honorary Doctor of Civil Law

Leon Restaurants co-founder Henry Dimbleby will be made an Honorary Doctor of Science following his work advising the government on food policy and highlighting the challenges it faces.

Paul Walker, the former chief executive of Sage Group plc and Newcastle University's Chair of Council from August 2017 to July 2024, will also be honoured.

Prof Chris Day, vice-chancellor and president of Newcastle University, said it was "an honour to welcome such esteemed figures to our campus and to celebrate their outstanding contributions to society".