Better support

By sharing her personal experience of the menopause in her documentaries, Davina has helped break down the stigma surrounding it and used her platform to campaign for better support for women. Her book Menopausing was named Book of the Year at the British Book Awards in 2023.

Davina is not the only person in her family to receive a degree from Newcastle University during this summer’s congregations - her daughter graduated earlier this week.

“It really has been a great honour to get this degree,” said Davina. “I feel a bit of a fraud, having seen how much work my daughter has put into her four year degree and I swan in and get one.

“But I am particularly chuffed that it is given to me for my work around women’s health. I will continue to raise awareness and campaign for education and more research for as long as I am breathing. I have rather fallen in love with Newcastle. Thank you so much."

Professor Chris Day, Vice-Chancellor and President of Newcastle University, said: “Davina has been instrumental in highlighting the issues faced by women going through the menopause. "Her campaigning has led to increased awareness of these issues and sparked real change, including here in our Newcastle University community.  We are delighted to recognise the hard work and achievements of both a mother and daughter in the same week.”