Queen Mary awards honorary degrees to outstanding individuals

Professor Dame Moira Whyte, Professor Sir Peter Mathieson, Professor David Crossman, Emily-Anne (Elf) Lyons, all Queen Mary alumni, alongside Cathy Baxter, Peter Thompson and Isabelle Jenkins received honorary awards as part of the University’s 2026 summer graduations.

These individuals were selected to receive honorary awards as they as individuals and the work they do aligns closely with Queen Mary’s vision, aims, ambitions and values.

Professor Dame Moira Whyte, Awarded Honorary Doctor of Sciences 

An alumna of St Bartholomew’s Hospital Medical College, Professor Dame Moira Whyte has made an enormous contribution to medical research, education and leadership. Her work in immunology has provided fundamental insights into the biology of the inflamed lung, with significant impact on respiratory medicine. In her internationally acclaimed career in clinical research, public health policy, and academic medicine, Moira continues to be an exceptional leader and educator.

She is the former Vice-Principal and Head of the College of Medicine and Veterinary Medicine at the University of Edinburgh and has worked with the Scottish Government as well as major research centres and funding bodies including the Medical Research Council and the UK Clinical Research Collaboration. Moira was made a Fellow of the Academy of Medical Sciences in 2005; a Fellow of the Royal Society of Edinburgh in 2018; awarded an OBE in 2014; and was made a Dame in 2024.

Speaking on receiving her award, Professor Dame Whyte said: “I was so delighted to receive this honorary degree. The medical school has been a centre of medical training and research for many centuries. I received an excellent basic science and incredible clinical training in the vast excellence of the institution." 

Professor Sir Peter Mathieson, Awarded Honorary Doctor of Sciences 

An alumnus of The London Hospital Medical College, Professor Sir Peter Mathieson is a distinguished clinician scientist and visionary academic leader, who throughout his career has championed academic excellence, interdisciplinary research, and global partnerships. 

The former President of the University of Hong Kong and former Dean of the Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry at the University of Bristol (both institutions where he maintains Honorary Professor status), Peter is the current Principal and Vice-Chancellor of the University of Edinburgh. He is a Fellow of the Royal College of Physicians (London and Edinburgh), the Academy of Medical Sciences, the Royal Society of Edinburgh and the Royal Society of Arts. In 2023, he was Knighted for his services to higher education.

On receiving his honorary degree, Professor Sir Mathieson said: “I am delighted and honoured to receive an honorary doctorate from Queen Mary University of London. I owe my career and many aspects of my personal life to the London Hospital Medical College and I am very happy to join this year’s graduands from its successor organisation”. 

Professor David Crossman, Awarded Honorary Doctor of Sciences 

After graduating from St Bartholomew’s Hospital Medical College, Professor David Crossman went on to lead a distinguished career as a clinician scientist and academic leader, whose pioneering advances in cardiovascular research have improved clinical outcomes for patients.

Alongside his research achievements, David has made immense contributions to clinical leadership. He has served as Dean of Medicine at the University of East Anglia and as Dean of the Faculty of Medicine at the University of St Andrews, where he is also an Emeritus Professor. He was seconded part-time as Chief Scientist for Health with the Scottish Government, a role in which he shaped national research strategy and guided responses to complex healthcare challenges, culminating in the award of a CBE for services to Public Health in Scotland in 2023. He is also an Honorary Fellow of the British Pharmacological Society. An advocate for nurturing of diverse talent within academia and medicine, David has also been instrumental in shaping widening participation initiatives to encourage students from underrepresented and disadvantaged backgrounds to pursue medical education.

Professor Crossman said: “I was delighted to be awarded an honorary DSc form Queen Mary. Clinical academic medicine with its aim of helping the sick and preventing disease runs strongly through Queen Mary's Faculty of Medicine. These aims and values have run with me throughout my own professional life and track back 44 years to my graduation from The Medical College of St Bartholomews. It is an exceptional privilege and I am hugely grateful. I wish everyone at Queen Mary well and every continuing success.”

Emily-Anne (Elf) Lyons, Awarded Honorary Doctor of Letters

Elf Lyons is an award-winning comedian, writer and performer known for her inventive, intelligent and original approach to comedy. She completed her MA in Theatre and Performance at Queen Mary and throughout her career, has earned critical acclaim for her solo shows at the Edinburgh Fringe and other international festivals.

Her work, characterised by creativity, wit and a distinctive blend of academic curiosity and theatrical flair also extends to the world of podcasting. Together with her father, Elf co-hosts Elfonomics, a show that explores and demystifies economic ideas through humour and conversation. By merging academic insight with performance, their show brings economics to new audiences, inspiring curiosity about how global systems shape everyday life. 

Speaking on her award, Elf said: “This is an incredibly special honour, which I hold tenderly in my hands. In truth, I cannot comprehend it. Out of all the many things I have achieved in my life as a performer, to be recognised with this honour by a university that had such a huge and significant impact on my creative career and on how I make work and respond to learning is truly wonderful. Thank you.” 

Cathy Baxter, Awarded Honorary Fellowship

In her role as Head of Early Careers at PwC, Cathy Baxter has been instrumental in the creation of Queen Mary’s Flying Start programme, an innovative model that integrates academic learning with real-world experience in PwC’s Audit and Assurance team.

This partnership, which bridges the gap between university education and professional development, provides students with a structured, supportive and career-focused pathway – students on the programme complete three paid placements at PwC during their degree, with the opportunity to transition into full-time roles upon successful completion. Cathy and her Early Careers team have created life-changing opportunities for these students by successfully offering over 500 placements through the Flying Start Programme, covering all ACA qualification exemptions and student membership fees, supporting students in accessing the PwC Foundation, introducing contextual offers to widen access for students from state schools, and much more.

On receiving her award, Cathy said: “Receiving this Honorary Fellowship from Queen Mary University of London is an extraordinary honour and a deeply meaningful moment for me. Queen Mary’s commitment to opportunity, inclusion and social mobility reflects the values that have guided my career. Through our partnership, I have seen first-hand how education can transform lives, open doors and help talented young people realise their potential. To be recognised by a university with such purpose and impact is truly humbling, and I am immensely grateful.” 

Peter Thompson, Awarded Honorary Fellowship

An experienced public sector CEO and current CEO of the HEFA, Peter Thompson was a valued external member of Queen Mary’s Council for eight years. He was a valued and committed member of Council during his eight-year tenure, who provided constructive challenge and practical contributions, rooted in a deep understanding of the University’s mission, values and vision.

In his additional role as Chair of the Audit and Risk Committee, which he held for four years, among many other things, Peter played a key role in the appointment of new external auditors for the University and worked with the Chief Financial Officer on integration during the early days of their appointment.

On receiving his award, Peter said: “Queen Mary University of London is a university that uniquely combines world class research with an openness to young people who come from families that haven’t been to university before. I have brought up my family in East London for the last twenty-five years and seen the transformative effect of a university education at first hand, as classmates and friends of my own children have gone to Queen Mary. I am delighted to accept this fellowship and greatly look forward to my continuing association with the University.” 

Isabelle Jenkins, Awarded Honorary Fellowship

Head of the Financial Services at PwC, Isabelle Jenkins was an important external member of Queen Mary’s Council for eight years. She also acted as Treasurer and Chair of the Finance and Investment Committee for four years and was a member of Remuneration Committee. In her role at PwC, Isabelle also facilitated introductions between Queen Mary and graduate recruitment teams at PwC, which were instrumental in establishing the University’s Flying Start accountancy programme. 

Speaking on her recognition, Isabelle said: “I am hugely honoured and delighted to be receiving a Fellowship from Queen Mary. I’ve been proud to support the University over the last eight years. The values and credentials of the organisation are important to me, and I’ve really valued and enjoyed the relationships I’ve built with people at Queen Mary. I am pleased to have been able to support the University in its continued success and strategy for the future, particularly around the development of life sciences capacity.” 

Read more: 

• Queen Mary recognises outstanding individuals at summer graduations
• Queen Mary recognises outstanding individuals at winter graduations