Glittering prizes

The University of North London has conferred honorary degrees on: Jane Lane , formerly of the education department in the Commission for Racial Equality; footballer Ian Wright ; Lord Clinton-Davies , consultant on European affairs and law; George Alagiah , world affairs correspondent for the BBC; film-maker Ken Loach ; Sir Michael Rutter , head of child and adolescent psychiatry at the University of London; and Aubrey Rose , vice-chairman of the Commission for Racial Equality.

Mary McAleese , president of Ireland, has received an honorary degree from Manchester Metropolitan University .

The International Society of Electrochemistry has awarded its Frumkin memorial medal to Roger Parsons of the University of Southampton.

The University of Stirling has conferred honorary degrees on: Marjorie Russell , a former accommodation officer at the university; Lord Penrose ; and sportsman William Clark .

The University of Bristol has awarded honorary degrees to: Sir William Taylor , former principal of the universities of London, Hull and Huddersfield; and Mervyn Alexander , bishop of Clifton and former chaplain to Roman Catholic students at the university.