An unexpected honour

I am immensely grateful to Lancaster University for awarding me an honorary doctorate DLitt in recognition of my fiction ‘on key topics including near-future environmental collapse and ectogenesis.’ 

Many thanks to Dr Oliver Langmead for his oration at the conferral ceremony. I’m delighted he referred to my interviewer-in-residence role for the Arthur C Clarke Award and Ada Lovelace Day, and also highlighted that climate and climate catastrophe has been at the heart of my fiction (including Alston Moor coming soon!) 

Photographed here with Deputy Vice-Chancellor Prof Rebecca Lingwood and Dr Oliver Langmead. 

What an incredible honour. Heartfelt thanks to everyone involved. It was a joy to share the day with all the graduating students, and a pleasure to meet my fellow honorary graduand, renowned editor Bill Swainson, trustee of Lancaster LitFest. 

It may take a few days before I settle back into my work-in-progress!