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Honorary Degrees Awarded at the University of Bristol – Tuesday, 15 July

Professor Sir John Temple Ede and Ravenscroft

Right Honourable Lady Justice Victoria Sharp Ede and Ravenscroft

Press release issued: 15 July 2014

Bristol University is awarding honorary degrees to Professor Sir John Temple and the Right Honourable Lady Justice Victoria Sharp DBE, at degree ceremonies taking place today in the Wills Memorial Building.

Professor Sir John Temple will be recognised with a Doctor of Science for his continued work as a leader in the medical world and in medical education.

Sir John attended William Hulme’s Grammar School in Manchester, and went on to qualify from Liverpool University Medical School with an honours degree in 1965.

He has enjoyed a successful career as a surgeon, and has also involved himself in education and policy – implementing the Higher Specialist Training reforms and producing a Government review, the Temple Report, on doctors’ working hours. His work has had major influence on the NHS, as a surgeon and as a senior NHS Politian.

The tragic loss of his infant brother to a scalding injury inspired Sir John to play a part in the development of the Healing Foundation Centre for Children’s Burns Research at the University of Bristol.

Sir John was President of the Royal College of Surgeons in Edinburgh and was awarded a Knight Bachelor in the Queen’s Birthday honours in 2003.

Right Honourable Lady Justice Victoria Sharp returns to the University of Bristol to receive her Doctor of Laws, in recognition of her lifelong dedication to law and the British courts.

Dame Victoria always knew she wanted to be a lawyer and in 1975 she was awarded a place at Bristol University to study law.

After 20 successful years at the bar she became a Queen’s Counsel and a recorder. She appeared as Senior Counsel in a number of high profile and legally significant cases.

She is widely regarded as a high-flyer in the judicial profession and after four years on the High Court bench she was one of 10 High Court Judges to be promoted to the Court of Appeal.

An honorary degree is a major accolade, awarded in recognition of outstanding achievement and distinction in a field or activity consonant with the University’s mission.

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