Graduates, Activists, Arts And Accessibility Celebrated At University Of Brighton Graduation Ceremonies

The University of Brighton’s is celebrating the achievements of more than 3,000 students from 97 countries this week, as it hosts its 2025 Summer Graduation ceremonies.  

The week of celebrations began today at the Brighton Centre with this year’s graduates ranging in age from 19 to 76, reflecting the university’s commitment to opportunity, inclusivity and lifelong learning.

Alongside student achievements, leaders and changemakers will also be celebrated with four honorary degrees.  

Brighton has a long-standing commitment to widening participation and supporting students from underrepresented and non-traditional backgrounds, and this year’s graduation celebrates a student body rich in diversity, lived experience and ambition. 

As part of this week’s celebrations, the university also proudly recognises the achievements of students who have benefitted from scholarships made possible through the Student Potential Fund.  

This year’s scholarship recipients include Alana Frawley, awarded the Family Law Progression Scholarship; Eleanor Haine and Hannah Shafau, recipients of the Progression Scholarship in Journalism; and Miles M Reid and Jordane Gregoire, who were supported by the Black & Black Mixed Heritage Scholarship. Their accomplishments are a testament to the transformative impact of inclusive support and the strength of the university community in empowering students from all backgrounds to succeed. 

These scholarships – generously funded by alumni, staff, and friends of the university – reflect the University of Brighton’s ongoing commitment to accessible, equitable education. 

The university will also confer honorary degrees on four outstanding individuals whose work embodies the university’s values of inclusivity, creativity, and positive social change: 

• Ted Brown, LGBTQ+ and civil rights activist, will receive a Doctor of Letters in recognition of his decades of advocacy for LGBT and Black LGBT communities in the UK. 

  
  

• Philippa Aldrich, arts advocate and champion of emerging creatives, will be awarded a Doctor of Arts for her work supporting artists and leading inclusive, community-based arts projects across Sussex. 

  
  

• Steven Mifsud MBE, accessibility consultant and Brighton alumnus, will receive a Doctor of Arts for his pioneering work improving access to public spaces and services for disabled people worldwide. 

  
  

• Alan Larkin, legal innovator and educator, will be awarded a Doctor of Laws for his commitment to expanding access to legal services and resources through digital innovation. 

This year’s graduation is particularly significant as it marks Vice Chancellor Donna Whitehead’s first summer graduation at the helm of the university. 

Addressing graduates at the ceremony, Vice Chancellor Donna Whitehead said: 

"Graduation ceremonies are always a high point of the academic year, bringing together the whole University of Brighton community with your family and supporters to celebrate YOUR success. You should all be incredibly proud of how far you have come in your time with us at Brighton. 

“This university is proud of the diversity of nationalities and backgrounds that make up our institution – our differences unite us. Today marks a beginning not an end and we look to all of you to shape the future. You will all play an important role in making the world a better place.

"A more sustainable place. A more equitable place. Never underestimate the difference you can make as an individual.” 

The five-day award ceremonies can be followed on our livestream. 

Here is the order of the ceremonies: 

• Wednesday 30 July 

  
  

  10am – School of Education, Sport and Health Sciences (postgraduate courses), Teaching and Learning Hub 

  
  

  3.15pm – School of Education, Sport and Health Sciences (undergraduate courses) 

  
  

• Thursday 31 July 

  
  

  10.00am – School of Art and Media (Art subject areas), East Sussex College Group 

  
  

  3.15pm – School of Architecture, Technology and Engineering 

  
  

• Friday 1 August 

  
  

  10.00am – School of Humanities and Social Science (Social Science subject areas) 

  
  

  3.15pm – School of Humanities and Social Science (Humanities subject areas) & School of Art and Media (Media subject areas)