Samuel West and Victoria Brignell awarded honorary degrees at SAS graduation ceremony

The celebratory event took place amidst an auspicious context for the School, following a landmark 30th anniversary, and the National Humanities Lecture two days prior, as delivered by esteemed public historian, Professor David Olusoga.  

The ceremony featured speeches from postgraduate students Zachary Larsen and Monja Stahlberger.  

Zachary, who was awarded a Masters in History of the Book, spoke of the unique facilities and manuscript collections at Senate House Library, and the highlight of his studies being his dissertation on illegal Catholic Bibles that were smuggled into Protestant England after the Reformation.  

Monja, who graduated as a Doctor of Philosophy in German Studies/Exile Studies, spoke of her research into diaries written by Kindertransport refugees, and the deep insights she gained into the complex experiences of young people forced to flee their homes and families.  

BAFTA-nominated actor Samuel West was awarded an honorary degree in recognition of his contributions to the stage and screen, as well as his advocacy for the dramatic and literary arts. Samuel West thanked the School and applauded the hard work and dedication of the graduates and, in a stirring response, spoke of the need to address inequality and unequal access to education.  

BBC radio producer and disability champion Victoria Brignell was awarded an honorary degree in recognition of her long-running promotion of factual programming, such as for the celebrated In Our Time programme, as well as her campaigning on behalf of disabled people and the removal of barriers to education, healthcare, and economic opportunities.  

"At the heart of literature, the humanities, and In Our Time is the concept of telling stories,” Victoria Brignell said. “Storytelling is important because it enables us to connect with people. It’s through storytelling that we learn about others, we learn about the world, and ultimately, learn more about ourselves.” 

In a moving speech, Victoria Brignell spoke of sacrifice, courage, and a willingness to put the interests of others before oneself, recalling the heroic and tragic example of Edward, a man in the Merchant Navy, sacrificing his own life to be by his brother’s side following a U-boat attack during the Second World War. Victoria Brignell went on to speak of urgent need to address the social care crisis in the country, and for us to display the qualities of empathy and selflessness shown in Edward’s story.  

The ceremony was opened by Vice-Chancellor, Wendy Thomson CBE, and Professor Jo Fox, Pro Vice-Chancellor and Dean of the School of Advanced Study. 

Vice-Chancellor Wendy Thomson said:  

“The humanities are not just an academic pursuit; they are the foundation of a fair and empathetic society. They remind us of our shared humanity and inspire us to imagine a better future. 

“The work of the School of Advanced Study is particularly vital in this context. Its research and teaching address not only the enduring questions, but also how they intersect with contemporary issues. Whether examining the ethical implications of AI, exploring the cultural impact of social media, or preserving endangered languages in a globalised world, the School is at the forefront of efforts to understand and shape the digital age. 

“This was the subject of the inaugural National Humanities Lecture, held here earlier this week, where historian, author and filmmaker David Olusoga explored emerging ideas about humanities, heritage, and what new forms our cultural institutions might take in an increasingly interconnected world. I hope some of you had the chance to attend this thought-provoking event, which is a vital new fixture in the School’s calendar. 

“As graduates, you are part of a community that values intellectual curiosity and creative thinking. You have engaged with complex ideas, grappled with challenging questions and made original contributions to your field of study. Your presence here today is testament to your hard work, dedication and passion for learning.” 

Professor Jo Fox said:  

“Undertaking advanced study requires commitment, dedication and passion. You'll have spent many hours wrestling with complex and challenging questions and many hours wondering whether you can answer them.  

“You'll no doubt have confronted the realization that the more you know about a subject the more questions you have. Your education does not end today in many ways – this is just the beginning.  

“We need graduates in the humanities and social sciences more now than ever before. The challenges we face as a modern society are complex, and the solutions to them are equally so. 

“We need graduates who understand the human dimensions to societal problems. To confront climate change, global mobility, social injustice, human rights, poverty. We need to understand people and, in these troubled times, reaffirm the values we hold and determine what kind of society we want to be.”

“It’s no surprise that we turn to these disciplines at dark moments and, for guidance, turn on the television and the radio, scan a podcast series, walk into a bookshop, go to the theatre, a local museum, a library, a gallery.  

“Our disciplines continue to play a critical role in our children’s education, and foster their imagination. They bring communities together and local projects. They’re at the centre of debates over social justice, identity, the laws that govern us – they affect change.” 

“We’ll look to our graduates to bring these values out into the world. My congratulations again and know that wherever you go, wherever you choose to deploy your skills and your creativity, you will always have a home here.”  

Watch the full ceremony online.