Oxford University awards honorary degrees at its annual Encaenia ceremony

The individuals who received honorary degrees today are:

Rt. Hon. Dame Jacinda Ardern GNZM, 40th Prime Minister of New Zealand (2017-2023).

‘I have got to know and work with Oxford through the Blavatnik School of Government and the World Leaders Circle, as they’ve supported my work on empathetic leadership. It’s really humbling to be part of today’s ceremony - not just because of the amazing people I’ve stood alongside today, but because just a few months ago I sat in the same space and watched as Oxford awarded a posthumous MPhil to Mākereti Papakura which was so incredibly special.’

Professor Daron Acemoğlu, economist, joint recipient of the 2024 Nobel Prize in Economic Sciences, Institute Professor at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and Faculty Co-Director of the Stone Center on Inequality and Shaping the Future of Work.  

‘I am deeply honoured to be recognized by Oxford University in this manner and have been very much looking forward to the honorary degree ceremony today.’

Carlos Acosta, CBE, internationally acclaimed dancer, choreographer and Artistic Director, and a former Principal Dancer of The Royal Ballet.

‘I am deeply humbled to receive this honorary degree from the University of Oxford. Dance is a universal language of storytelling, human connection and expression and to have my dedication to this artform recognised by such an historic institution is truly profound. I am immensely grateful to the University of Oxford for celebrating the vital role that dance and the arts play in enriching our global culture.’

Adjoa Andoh, MBE, British actress and director whose career spans stage, screen and radio.

‘Post Covid I have twice had the pleasure of working across Oxford University’s cohort, as the Cameron Mackintosh Visiting Professor of Contemporary Theatre - once solo and once jointly with Sir Gregory Doran - and have the honour of being a Professor Emeritus at St Catherine's College following that tenure.

‘My stepfather was a history undergraduate at Magdalen College with CS Lewis as his tutor, and through him I developed a great love of this place. So, I am incredibly moved and humbled to have the opportunity of further deepening my relationship with the University as I join this stunning group of Honorands on Wednesday as we receive our Honorary Doctorates from the University of Oxford. In a fracturing world, institutions such as this engaged in wide-ranging thought, discovery and communion are precious and to be cherished.’ 

Professor Henry Louis Gates Jr, Alphonse Fletcher University Professor and Director of the Hutchins Center for African and African American Research at Harvard University, Emmy Award-winning filmmaker and literary scholar.

‘Since I was a child, Oxford has occupied an almost mythical place in my imagination. It represented to me a grand tradition of excellence in teaching and learning. To be awarded an Oxford degree all these years later is deeply gratifying, especially as a Cantabrigian! As the old saying has it, “The Lord might be late, but He’s always on time.” I am thrilled to become a small part of the University’s storied tradition, and I look forward to celebrating with my new fellow Oxonians.’

Professor Katalin Karikó, biochemist, joint recipient of the 2023 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine, holder of academic posts at the University of Szeged and the University of Pennsylvania, and former Senior Vice-President of BioNTech SE.  

‘It is such a humbling experience for me to receive an honorary doctorate degree from University of Oxford together with the most accomplished and inspirational honourees.’

Billie Jean King, former world No. 1 tennis player and winner of 39 Grand Slam titles, founder of the Women’s Tennis Association and the Women’s Sports Foundation.

‘It is an honour and a privilege to receive this degree from Oxford University and to join the other honorands in the historic Encaenia celebration. Education, at any age, is a powerful tool and we must always keep learning and learning how to learn.’

Professor Shuji Nakamura, FREng, engineer, joint recipient of the 2014 Nobel Prize in Physics, Professor of Materials and of Electrical and Computer Engineering at the University of California and Co-Director of the Solid State Lighting and Energy Electronics Center.  

‘It is a great honour to be recognised by Oxford. My work has been one continuous pursuit, harnessing light, from the blue LED, LED lighting to the lasers we are now developing to make fusion energy practical. But what matters most to me is what comes next: a generation of scientists and engineers willing to take on the hardest challenges, including clean and abundant energy. If my work helps convince even a few of them that the problems that seem impossible are the ones most worth solving, that will be the real reward.’ 

Dame Emma Walmsley, DBE, former Chief Executive GSK and Board Director Microsoft.

‘It is a tremendous honour to receive this recognition from Oxford University – a wonderful institution that continues to inspire generations of scientists and innovators to tackle some of the world’s most pressing healthcare challenges, and a loved home that gave me a lifetime of opportunity, friendship and purpose.’