Sir David Attenborough CBE
David Attenborough was awarded an honorary degree by Keele in 1986 in recognition of his exceptional contributions to natural history, broadcasting, and public understanding of science - achievements that closely align with Keele’s values.
Decades later, in 2019, he returned to campus to open the university’s new £45 million Life Sciences teaching and research laboratories, which were named in his honour. His visit highlighted his ongoing commitment to environmental education and sustainability, reinforcing why he remains one of the most respected figures ever to receive a Keele honorary degree.
Glenda Jackson
Glenda Jackson was awarded an honorary degree by Keele in 1987, in recognition of her outstanding achievements in both the arts and public service.
An Academy Award–winning actor and later a dedicated Member of Parliament, her career reflects a rare combination of creative excellence and commitment to public life - values that strongly resonate with the University’s ethos.
Gordon Banks OBE
Gordon Banks OBE was awarded an honorary degree by Keele in 2006, in recognition of his outstanding contribution to football and his lasting impact on the national sporting landscape. As a key member of England’s 1966 World Cup winning team, he is widely regarded as one of the greatest goalkeepers of all time, with a career defined by excellence, resilience and professionalism.
Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother
Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother was awarded an honorary Doctor of Letters degree in 1965 by Keele in recognition of her lifelong service to the nation and her enduring contribution to public life. As a steadfast and reassuring figure, particularly during times of national challenge, she became widely admired for her sense of duty, resilience and commitment to the people of the United Kingdom.
I. Stephanie Boyce
I. Stephanie Boyce received an honorary Doctor of Laws degree in 2022 in recognition of her historical term as President of the Law Society of England and Wales – which represents more than 200,000 solicitors. She was the 177th president, but only the sixth female and the first person of colour to hold the title. During her presidency, Stephanie championed equality, diversity and inclusion in the law profession, and was appointed to the Treasury and the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy commission - an independent taskforce boosting socio-economic diversity at senior levels in financial and professional services.
Sir Stanley Matthews
Stanley Matthews was awarded an honorary degree by Keele in 1987, in recognition of his outstanding contribution to football and his enduring influence on the game. Widely regarded as one of the greatest players of his generation, he was celebrated for his skill, sportsmanship and longevity, becoming the first recipient of the Ballon d’Or and a global ambassador for English football.
Fatou Bensouda
Gambian-born Chief Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court, Fatou Bensouda, was awarded an honorary Doctor of Laws degree by Keele University in 2015. The honour recognised her outstanding contribution to international criminal law, her unwavering commitment to human rights, and her influential role in advancing the global agenda for peace and security.
Sir Robin Day
Robin Day was awarded an honorary degree by Keele in 1988, in recognition of his outstanding contribution to political journalism and broadcasting. Renowned for his incisive interviewing style and unwavering commitment to holding those in power to account, he played a pivotal role in shaping modern political discourse in the United Kingdom.
Toby Jones OBE
BAFTA award-winning actor Toby Jones OBE was awarded an honorary Doctor of the University in 2025, in recognition of his outstanding contribution to drama and acting, and a career that has established him as one of the UK’s most versatile performers. He is perhaps best known for portraying Neil ‘Nello’ Baldwin in the 2014 film Marvellous, which went on to win three BAFTAs the following year, including Best Single Drama, and received further accolades from the Royal Television Society, Broadcasting Press Guild and Monte Carlo TV Festival.
Professor Fumiko Yonezawa
Professor Fumiko Yonezawa was posthumously awarded an honorary Doctor of Science by Keele in 2024, recognising her pioneering contributions to theoretical physics and her lasting connection to the university as its first Japanese student. An internationally distinguished scientist, she became the first female President of the Physical Society of Japan and was renowned for her groundbreaking work on amorphous semiconductors and liquid metals, which earned global recognition including the L’Oréal-UNESCO Award for Women in Science.
Lyse Doucet OBE
Lyse Doucet OBE, the BBC’s Chief International Correspondent, was awarded a Doctor of Letters by Keele in 2024 in recognition of her distinguished and extensive achievements in journalism. With a career spanning more than four decades, she has reported from some of the world’s most significant conflict zones, including Afghanistan, Syria, and Ukraine, earning international acclaim for her insightful and courageous reporting. Her work has been recognised with numerous honours, including a Peabody Award, a Royal Television Society Award, and an Emmy as part of the BBC’s coverage of the Syrian conflict.
