Chris Welch, principal lecturer in astronautics in the School of MAP Engineering at Kingston University, has been elected vice-chair of the affiliate campuses of the International Space University and will become chair next year. The Space University, of which Sir Arthur C. Clarke is chancellor, has 24 affiliate campuses from 14 countries and is dedicated to international cooperation on space development.
Astrid Lindgren, creator of children's book character Pippi Longstocking, has received an honorary doctorate from the faculty of medicine at Sweden's Linkoping University because "she has made many sick children happy and has improved their mental health through her books".
Christopher Thompson, professor in the department of French studies at Warwick University, has been elected chairman of the Comite du Film Ethnographique, Musee de L'Homme, Paris.
The University of Nottingham has named rooms on its new Jubilee Campus after Don Varley, former warden of Rutland Hall, and Ron Haylock, president of the university council and benefactor of the university's Golden Jubilee Development Campaign.
The University of Manchester has awarded honorary degrees to Daniel Brennan, chairman of the Bar Council (LLD); David Goldberg, senior rabbi of the Liberal Jewish Synagogue (DD); Marianne Neville-Rolfe, chief executive of the new East Manchester Regeneration Agency (LLD); and Jim Waller, former deputy chairman of council, (LLD).
Andy Durr, faculty officer of continuing adult education at the University of Brighton's faculty of arts and architecture, will become mayor of Brighton and Hove in May.