This week seven esteemed figures from across culture, social justice, health, science and research will receive honorary degrees from the University of Liverpool.
Recipients include Liverpool-born acclaimed poet and performer Levi Tafari and Colin and Wendy Parry, founders of the Tim Parry Johnathan Ball Peace Foundation in 2000 following the death of their son Tim in the Warrington IRA bomb of 1993. They join a range of others regarded as leaders in their fields.
The honorary degrees are conferred during a week of ceremonies at the Liverpool Philharmonic Hall, in which 7,500 people will graduate.
University of Liverpool Vice-Chancellor Professor Tim Jones said: “I am delighted to celebrate and welcome our honorary graduates into the University of Liverpool community—individuals whose remarkable achievements and meaningful connections to the University serve as a source of inspiration for us all.
“As students and their families gather to honour years of hard work and commitment, our honorary graduates not only receive formal recognition for their contributions but also share their journeys, offering wisdom, encouragement, and invaluable insights. These stories help guide our graduands as they prepare to take their next steps, reminding them of the many paths to success and the impact they, too, can make in the world.”
University of Liverpool 2025 honorary degree recipients are:
Poet and performer, Levi Tafari. Born and raised in Liverpool by his Jamaican parents, Levi embraced his dual heritage through performance poetry rooted in Rastafari, gaining recognition as a Citizen of Honour in 2023 and headlining the Liverpool Literary Festival in 2024.
Following the tragic loss of their son Tim in the 1993 Warrington IRA bombing, Colin and Wendy Parry founded the Tim Parry Johnathan Ball Peace Foundation in 2000 to support young people, victims of terrorism, and communities in conflict.
Steve Morgan businessman, investor, and philanthropist is the founder of Redrow plc and the Steve Morgan Foundation, which supports disadvantaged groups across North Wales, Merseyside, and Cheshire.
Alumna, Ruth Hussey’s medical career started in Liverpool where she trained as a GP before moving to public health. She was a senior lecturer and developed the University’s Masters in Public Health programme before becoming Liverpool’s Director of Public Health.
Richard Henderson is Nobel Laureate, molecular biologist and biophysicist and pioneer in the field of electron microscopy of biological molecules
Investment banking and commodities expert Huw Jenkins, graduated from the University with a BA Sociology and Psychology in1980. He has also founded a PhD scholarship in social entrepreneurship.
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- Wendy & Colin Parry
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- Richard Henderson
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- Huw Jenkins
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- Levi Tafari
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- Steve Morgan
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- Ruth Hussey