Lord Norton's commendation video transcript

Lord Philip Norton

PROFESSOR KEITH MCLAY: And now we come to our honorary award. These are awarded by the University in recognition of somebody who has made a very significant contribution in their particular field. I have the great pleasure in inviting Professor Warren Manning, Provost (Innovation and Research) to give the commendation for the conferment of an Honorary Doctor of the University to Philip, Lord Norton of Louth. Professor Manning.

PROFESSOR WARREN MANNING: Chancellor, Vice-Chancellor, Lord Lieutenant, Mayor of Derby, honoured guests, Graduands of 2024, and all our guests here today. It gives me great pleasure to be presenting Philip, Lord Norton of Louth, for the award of Honorary Doctor of the University.

Lord Norton has been described as the UK's 'greatest living expert on Parliament' and a world authority on constitutional issues. He is Professor of Government and Director of the Centre of Legislative Studies at the University of Hull. In his role as Chair of the Higher Education Commission for over ten years, he has demonstrated a strong commitment to addressing inequality within Higher Education and improving outcomes for students.

Lord Norton was born in Louth, Lincolnshire, where he attended the King Edward the Sixth Grammar School. He graduated from the University of Sheffield with a Bachelor of Arts and later as a Doctor of Philosophy, after studying a Master of Arts at the University of Pennsylvania.

He was appointed to the Chair of Government at the University of Hull in 1986, making him, at 35, the youngest professor of politics in the UK. In 1998, he was created a life peer as Lord Norton of Louth.

In 2000, he chaired the Conservative Party's Commission to Strengthen Parliament, and in 2001, he was appointed by the House of Lords as the first Chairman of the Constitution Committee. He currently serves on various parliamentary committees, as well as giving evidence to other official committees in the UK and abroad.

Since 2013, Lord Norton has chaired the Higher Education Commission, an independent body made up of leaders from the education sector, the business community and the major political parties. The Commission looks to address inequalities in the sector in many areas, including the experiences of disabled students, social mobility, regional economic inequality and graduate outcomes. In this role, he worked closely with the University of Derby in 2020 on the 'Arriving at Thriving' six-month inquiry, which he co-chaired with the Right Honourable Lord David Blunkett and Professor Kathryn Mitchell, Vice-Chancellor of the University. The inquiry listened to the experiences of over 500 disabled students and gathered evidence from a number of Higher Education providers and charity representatives from across the country. The resulting report demonstrated clear room for improvement and laid out 12 recommendations for government and university leaders. The work led to significantly improved experiences for disabled students, reflected in enhanced degree outcomes, and this learning continues to be shared right across the sector.

Lord Norton is a prolific author whose publications include 36 books and over 200 book chapters and articles in learned journals. He regularly shares his extensive knowledge and details of his parliamentary work through his personal blog, 'The Norton View'. He is President of the Study of Parliament Group, Chair of the History of Parliament Trust, editor of The Journal of Legislative Studies and holds honorary degrees from Lincoln University and Regent's University.

Chancellor, in recognition of his outstanding commitment to addressing inequality within Higher Education and on improving outcomes for students, we are delighted to award Lord Norton the honorary degree of Doctor of the University.

LORD NORTON: Chancellor, Vice-Chancellor, Lord-Lieutenant, Mayor of Derby, honoured guests, Graduands of 2024, and all other guests here today, I'm delighted to receive this doctorate from the University.

Two years ago, the Political Studies Association awarded me the Sir Isaiah Berlin Prize for Lifetime Achievement in Political Studies. In receiving the award, I said that the citation for the prize meant as much to me as did the award itself. The same applies today. The reason for this award, the contribution to the student experience, is what makes it so special. 

However, I recognise that this is really your day rather than mine. Congratulations to all graduates, as well as all those, staff, family and friends, who've made your success possible. Today should be seen not as the end of a process, but the beginning of one. A degree is your passport, not just to future employment, but to your contribution to society. University life enriches students, and graduates enrich the community. Utilise your degree to the full. Thank you very much indeed.

Lord Norton's commendation video

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