Matt Baker among pioneering leaders to receive honorary degrees from Durham University
by Emily Gray · ChronicleLiveTelevision presenter Matt Baker will join leaders in their respected fields of Science, Law and Education receiving honorary degrees from Durham University in January 2025.
County Durham-born Matt best known for presenting the popular BBC television shows Blue Peter, Countryfile and The One Show will be made an honorary Doctor of Science during Durham University’s Winter Congregation ceremonies at Durham Cathedral, taking place on January 9 and 10.
The University is also awarding honorary degrees to astrophysicist Professor George Efstathiou, Sir Jonathan Jones KCB KC (Hon) and former college principal Suzanne Duncan.
Born in Easington, County Durham, Matt attended Durham Sixth Form Centre before later moving to Edinburgh to undertake training as an actor at Queen Margaret University School of Drama.
He became a familiar face on children's show Blue Peter from 1999 before taking up roles BBC One's Countryfile in 2009 and The One Show in 2011. Matt most recently has delighted fans with his latest television success hit show Travels With Mum and Dad exploring the North East.
Matt said: "To have an association with one of the finest universities in the world is a wonderful honour. My County Durham teachers will be so proud and my old school friends will never believe I’m Dr Baker. Thank you to the Durham people, places and schools that made me who I am.”
Meanwhile, Professor Efstathiou, a Durham alumnus, received a PhD in 1979 from Durham University and has since become a household name in astrophysics.
He was an original proponent of the 'Cold Dark Matter' theory on the origin of galaxies which went on to become the Standard Model of cosmology and has won numerous awards and is a Fellow of the Royal Society.
Based at the University of Cambridge, he often collaborates with Durham colleagues and has close links with the University’s Institute for Computational Cosmology.
Professor Efstathiou said: "I started my PhD in Durham in 1976 and immediately fell in love with the town, the people, the magnificent cathedral and the University. I joined a new Cosmology group led by Richard Ellis which was small, very enthusiastic and unhindered by orthodox thinking.
"This is where I learned how to do research. Durham played a critical role in my life and I am especially honoured to receive this recognition, which I much appreciate."
Fellow Durham alumni Sir Jonathan Jones KCB KC (Hon) will be made a Doctor of Civil Law at January’s ceremony, having enjoyed a distinguished legal career as the permanent secretary of the Government Legal Department - the most senior legal official in the UK government.
He was appointed honorary King’s Counsel in 2019 and made a Knight Commander of the Order of the Bath (KCB) for public service in 2020.
Sir Jonathan, who graduated from Durham University in 1984. said: “I am delighted and proud to receive an honorary doctorate in civil law from Durham University. It’s a huge privilege to be honoured by such a distinguished institution.
"I have very fond memories of my time as an undergraduate at Durham and have been glad to renew my relationship with the Law School and St Chad’s in recent years. I look forward to that continuing.”
Suzanne Duncan, former principal and chief executive officer of East Durham College, will be awarded her honorary degree posthumously. With her family’s blessing, Suzanne will be made a Doctor of Letters.
Suzanne, who led East Durham College for 12 years, sadly died in September after a short illness. As well as overseeing multi-million-pound investments in the college, Suzanne was was a great champion for the further education sector and the North East, and was instrumental in developing the Durham Learning Alliance.
The Alliance involves Durham University and four County Durham colleges working together to expand education opportunities in North East England. She retired from East Durham College in 2024, and sadly died just a few weeks later. Suzanne had been notified earlier in the year that she was to be made an honorary graduate.
Steve Duncan, Suzanne’s husband, said: "When Suzanne received notification of the award she cried, she was honoured. She felt that it was her greatest career achievement and the best recognition of her work and sacrifices she made.
"As a family we are immensely proud of Suzanne’s achievements, and the legacy she has left behind. She sacrificed so much over the years to provide better opportunities for others through education. We only wish she could be here to accept her award herself."
Professor Karen O’Brien, Vice-Chancellor of Durham University, added: "Our honorary graduates are leaders in their fields and exemplify our ethos of inspiring the extraordinary. Our graduating students can look to these figures for inspiration as they leave the University to forge their own careers across many different fields.
“On a personal level, I’m pleased that we’re able to honour the contribution that Suzanne Duncan has made to education here in North East England. Suzanne helped thousands of young people achieve their ambitions throughout her career and was passionate about forming the Durham Learning Alliance which will continue that legacy.”
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