The University of Birmingham has awarded honorary degrees to mark the 50th anniversary of its Shakespeare Institute in Stratford-upon-Avon. It awarded them to: John Brown, professor of theatre, University of Michigan, US; Reginald Foakes, emeritus professor of English, University of California, Los Angeles; Ernst Honigmann, emeritus professor of English literature, University of Newcastle; and actors Kenneth Branagh and Harriet Walter .
John Crofton, former professor of respiratory diseases and tuberculosis at the University of Edinburgh, has received the Galen Medal of the Society of Apothecaries of London.
Martin Evans, head of biosciences, University of Cardiff, is to be awarded the 2001 Albert Lasker award for basic medical research.
Frederik Glasser, professor of chemistry, University of Aberdeen, has been awarded the Kroll Medal from the Institute of Materials for his work on materials chemistry.
James Hough, professor of astrophysics, University of Hertfordshire, has been elected a fellow of the American Physical Society.
Wallace Pitcher, emeritus professor of geology, University of Liverpool, has been elected socio honorario of the Geological Society of Peru.
The University of Wolverhampton is to award the following honorary degrees: Mark O'Shea, for his contribution to herpetology; Ian Pollock, for his contribution to illustration; Joanna Quinn, for her contribution to the arts and animation; John Leighfield, for his contribution to computing and information technology; Clive Stafford Smith, for his contribution to criminal justice and human rights; John Marshall, for his contribution to academic history and research; Don Howe, for a lifetime contribution to association football; Cyrille Regis, for his contribution to association football and to the regional community; Lord King of West Bromwich, for his contribution to the community and lifelong learning in Sandwell; Gurbux Singh, for lifelong commitment and contribution to race equality; Yu Zhongwen, for his achievements in vocational higher education in China; Adam Caruso and Peter St John, for contributions to the architectural and cultural profile of the West Midlands; John Francis, for service in the Royal Air Force and establishing the museum's reputation; Joyce Wilson, for lifelong commitment to the university; Mel Chevannes, for contribution to nursing education and research; and Elizabeth Fradd, for contribution to nursing and health improvement.