Race equality

Dr Shola Mos-Shogbamimu was made an Honorary Doctor of Civil Law at a ceremony on Monday 4 December.

She has made a major contribution to race equality, combatting discrimination and promoting diversity and inclusion at both a national and international level. She founded the Women in Leadership publication as a platform to drive positive change on topical issues that impact women, and published her book This Is Why I Resist: Don’t Define My Black Identity in 2021.

“There are not enough words to describe what this award means,” said Dr Mos-Shogbamimu. “In giving me this award, Newcastle University is giving me the courage to carry on doing what needs to be done in the fight for racial justice and social justice and it means a lot to me.

“To be in the same place that Dr Martin Luther King received the same award blows my mind.”

Kay Hartley

On Friday 8 December, Kay Hartley, an international scholar in mortarium studies will be made an Honorary Doctor of Letters.

Described as ‘the oracle on Romano-British mortaria’ (Roman pottery), her research has advanced the study of the Northern Roman walls with which Newcastle University is closely associated. She has championed female inclusivity within archaeology and continues to contribute to academic scholarship.