Journalist, Glenn Campbell who is political editor with the BBC, has been awarded an honorary doctorate from Edinburgh Napier, even though he did not graduate there.
Glenn regularly broadcasts from both Westminster and Holyrood. He has covered all the important political stories including the 2014 Scottish Independence Referendum and many election campaigns.
On Friday the Islay native was formally made a Doctor of the University to recognise both his journalism career and also his fundraising for brain cancer research.
It is three years since he was diagnosed with brain cancer after having a seizure. He has shared his own health journey with a documentary to highlight the treatment and surgery while raising awareness that funding is a major requirement. He established the fundraising charity, Brain Power.
Glenn Campbell said: “It feels really special to be honoured with a degree from Edinburgh Napier University, especially because it’s something that I’ve never really expected.
“It does mean a lot to me because this is actually the first degree I’ve ever been awarded. I did go to university, but I didn’t stay around long enough to graduate, mainly because I couldn’t see how a degree in geography was going to help me find a career in journalism.
“So I did it my own way and started my career through polite persistence, by knocking on doors, sometimes for a second and third time, until eventually one creaked open and I got my chance.
“Everyone else who’s graduating today has put in several years of academic study to get their honours. I think that it’s really important to make sure that this day is really about their achievements rather than anything I’ve done.
“I have absolutely had a blast in journalism. It’s been a fantastic career. It still is.”
Presenting Glenn with his honorary doctorate, Miranda Hurst, Lecturer in Journalism at Edinburgh Napier University, said: “Glenn has performed this multifaceted role with dedication and panache, at a time when credible and robust reporting is very much under threat.
“Journalism is at its best when it champions the underserved, gives a voice to the weak and holds the powerful to account.
“Glenn has also shown that being a trusted and well kent face can be a powerful driver for change.”
