Stephen Hawking, Lucasian professor of mathematics at the University of Cambridge, has received the Albert Medal from the Royal Society of Arts. The medal, instituted in 1863 as a memorial to Prince Albert, former president of the society, awards "distinguished merit in promoting arts, manufactures and commerce".
Keith Robbins, vice-chancellor at the University of Wales, Lampeter and senior vice-chancellor of the Federal University of Wales, has been made doctor of letters by the University of the West of England.
The first 24 members admitted to the new Institute for Learning and Teaching were: Chris Atkin, University of Nottingham; Tony Croft, Loughborough University; Peter Hillis, University of Strathclyde; Ian Hughes, University of Leeds; John Kirkham, University of Salford; Ian Minty, Lews Castle College (University of the Highlands and Islands); Phil Race, University of Durham/freelance consultant; Anthony Rosie, Sheffield Hallam University; Amanda Chetwynd, Lancaster University; Bill Crowther, University of Manchester; Helen Galas, University of Westminster; John Howarth, University of Hull; David Newman, De Montfort University; Richard Norman, University of Kent; Julian Park, University of Reading; Fiona Skinner, Inverness College (UHI); Graham Smith, University of Wales Institute, Cardiff; Catherine Sneddon, Moray College (UHI); Kenneth Spencer, University of Hull; Elizabeth Stuart, King Alfred's College Winchester; Jenny Tizard, UHI; Donald Truman, University of Edinburgh; Simon van Heyningen, University of Edinburgh; Linda Wheeler, Moray College (UHI).
Southampton Institute has awarded honorary degrees to: Chang Yung-fa, chairman of the international conglomerate Evergreen Group (DBA); Brian Allen, director of studies at the Paul Mellon Centre for Studies in British Art (DLitt); and Michael Grey, maritime journalist and writer (MA). It has also made a posthumous award to Michael Andrews, Southampton Institute's chairman of governors and mayor of Southampton at the time of his death (MA).