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Peter Berresford Ellis awarded Honorary Doctorate of Letters of the University of East London

Friday 22 December 2006

Peter Berresford Ellis, the celebrated novelist, historian, author, biographer and journalist, was awarded an Honorary Doctorate of Letters of the University of East London at a ceremony held at London’s Barbican Hall on 12 December.

Peter, a former UEL Celtic Studies student, joined hundreds of graduates from UEL’s School of Social Sciences, Media and Cultural Studies celebrating their academic success.

Accepting his award from UEL’s Chancellor Lord Rix, Peter Berresford Ellis told the assembled graduates: “I would like to express my gratitude both for the honour I’m receiving today and for the opportunity that UEL once gave me to correct a regret that I had. It was here that I was finally able to develop my interest in history and I will always have very fond memories of this institution.

“However successful you go on to become, I hope you will always remember this special day and your years at the University of East London. And remember: no matter how much you know, there's always so much more to learn.”

Peter Berresford Ellis has published over 80 books, including novels, biographies, short story collections, and historical mysteries and fantasies. He is best-known for the famous Sister Fidelma Mysteries, a series of historical thrillers set in 7th Century Ireland and written under the nom de plume of Peter Tremayne.

In 1989, Peter achieved first-class honours in his BA (Hons) degree in Celtic Studies at the Polytechnic of East London. He returned to the institution – which had by then won its charter as the University of East London – in 1993, to complete his MA in the same subject.

In his address to the assembled graduates, UEL’s Vice-Chancellor, Professor Michael Thorne, said: “Today is the culmination of a lot of hard work and personal sacrifice. Build on your success, seize new opportunities, and broaden your horizons.”

UEL’s School of Social Sciences, Media and Cultural Studies is rated among the top ten of all UK universities for research in media, communications and cultural studies. The school has twelve research centres, including the London East Research Institute, the Centre for Social Work Research, and the Refugee Research Centre, one of the leading centres of its kind in the UK.

The ceremony was the last of six UEL graduation events to be held between October and December this year. In total, around 3000 UEL students are graduating this year.

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For details and pictures contact Patrick Wilson: 020 8223 2061 or 07951 797 975

Notes to Editors

The University of East London (UEL) is a global learning community with over 28,000 students from over 120 countries world-wide. Our vision is to achieve recognition, both nationally and internationally, as a successful and inclusive regional university proud of its diversity, committed to new modes of learning which focus on students and enhance their employability, and renowned for our contribution to social, cultural and economic development, especially through our research and scholarship. We have a strong track-record in widening participation and working with industry.

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