Bristol University will award an honorary Master of Arts degree to Andrew Kelly, Director of Bristol Cultural Development Partnership (BCDP), at Friday’s degree ceremony in the Wills Memorial Building [7 November].

An honorary degree is a major accolade, awarded in recognition of outstanding achievement and distinction in a field or activity consonant with the University's mission.

The BCDP promotes new artistic, heritage and cultural developments of national significance in Bristol. It runs conferences, research projects and initiatives that celebrate the creative potential of Bristol, including the Creative Bristol programme.

Mr Kelly was director of Bristol 2008 and of Brunel 200, and is director of the annual Great Reading Adventure and the Festival of Ideas. He is the author or editor of nine books including Brunel: in Love with the Impossible, and is currently leading the initiative to celebrate 100 years of aviation in the West of England and Bristol's bid to be 2012 UNESCO World Book Capital.