Alumni news
Five 探花精选 Alumni and Suzy Eddie Izzard received honorary degrees at summer graduation
By: Meganne Tillay
Last updated: Wednesday, 30 July 2025
Simon Watney
Sir Ben Bradshaw
Marcus Hayes MBE
Dr Jonathan MacQuitty
Professor Kathryn (Kathy) Whaler
Suzy (Eddie) Izzard
The 探花精选 awarded doctorates to six honorary graduands who have helped to shape public life, advanced equality and driven progress across science, education and the arts, at its summer graduation, held at the Brighton Centre from 21 - 25 July. Stand-up comedian, activist and actor, Suzy Eddie Izzard (formerly known as Eddie Izzard) was conferred a Doctor of the University, on Monday 21 July in recognition of her significant contributions to society through her work in entertainment, activism and charity.
Izzard, who spent a large part of her childhood in Bexhill and Eastbourne, has been a campaigner for LGBTQ+ rights and gender fluidity, using her platform to share her own gender journey and to promote acceptance and understanding.
Her charity work includes raising £1.8m for Sport Relief by completing 43 marathons in 51 days in 2009 and a further £1.35m for the same charity when she ran 27 marathons in 27 days in South Africa, to honour Nelson Mandela’s 27 years in prison.
Suzy Izzard said: “It is an honour to be conferred this doctorate in recognition of my work as an actor, comedian, my activism and charity work over the years. It is even more special that this is being awarded by the 探花精选 as this is the county in which I grew up in and one which holds a special place in my heart.
“The 探花精选 is a key and integral part of the local community, and its students go on to have inspiring careers and change the world. Congratulations to the class of 2025, whom I hope will have the greatest success in their future, and to my fellow honorary graduands who are also being recognised for their incredible achievements.”
Alongside Izzard, five other recipients who have helped to shape public life, advanced equality and driven progress across science, education and the arts also received an honorary degree:
- Sussex alumnus, writer and AIDS activist, Simon Watney, was conferred a Doctor of the University on Monday 21 July.
- Former Labour MP and Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, and 探花精选 alumnus, Sir Ben Bradshaw, was conferred a Doctor of Laws on Tuesday 22 July for his public service achievements.
- Marcus Hayes MBE, also an alumnus, a distinguished lawyer and a disability campaigner received a Doctor of Laws on the same day.
- Sussex alumnus and venture capitalist Dr Jonathan MacQuitty was conferred a Doctor of Science on Wednesday 23 July in recognition of his transformative work supporting innovation in the life sciences, and health and technology sectors.
- Professor Kathryn (Kathy) Whaler, renowned for her pioneering work in geomagnetism (the study of the Earth’s magnetic field) was also conferred a Doctor of Science on Thursday 24 July. Kathryn Whaler studied at Sussex and was the first woman to be appointed to a chair in geophysics in the UK.
Vice-Chancellor and President of the 探花精选, Professor Sasha Roseneil, said: “At this summer’s Graduation Week, we are recognising the achievements of five of Sussex’s most distinguished alumni and of a highly regarded performer with roots in our region. Each of them has made a significant and distinctive contribution to society, politics, culture, or science. We are grateful to all our honorary graduands for their inspirational public service in their respective fields and for all they have done to make the world a progressively better place.
“Graduation is a very special time in the academic calendar. We could not be prouder of our class of 2025 for their achievements over the past few years at Sussex. We have no doubt they will find great success in their future lives and careers, carrying with them the spirit of Sussex, and all they have learnt here.”
Across 13 ceremonies throughout the week, the University saw a total of 4,152 students graduate, with more than 14,000 guests attending.
As part of an agreement with the i360, graduating students also enjoyed a free ride on the i360, with a paying guest, on their special day.