UNIVERSITY OF BRISTOL
Honorary degrees awarded at Bristol University on Tuesday 10 July
Today, at its degree ceremonies, Bristol University is awarding Honorary degrees to two prominent local figures.
Mrs Linda Edwards, Director of the National Osteoporosis Society, is to receive the degree of Master of Arts this morning at 11.15 am.
A graduate in English from the University of London, Linda Edwards worked in public relations for Beechams and a number of other organisations before becoming involved in the launch of the National Osteoporosis Society in 1985. What seemed like a straightforward, short-term PR assignment soon turned into an all-consuming occupation, and she became Director of the Society in 1986.
The Society supports educational work and clinical services, raises funds for research and co-ordinates a national network of patient groups. It influences national healthcare policy and has been instrumental in raising international awareness of osteoporosis.
There are now 120 such societies across the world, all of them based on the UK model.
Professor Brian Pickering, Deputy Vice-Chancellor of Bristol University, will be honoured with the degree of Doctor of Laws at a ceremony this afternoon at 2.30 pm.
Professor Pickering was born on 24 May 1936, a birthday he shares with Bristol University. He left school in 1955 and came to Bristol University to read Biological Chemistry. He stayed on to study for a PhD in the Department of Pharmacology. It was during his research studies that he discovered 'vasotocin', a hormone intimately involved in water balance.
On gaining his PhD in 1961 he left Bristol to work at the University of California in Berkeley and the National Institute for Medical Research at Mill Hill. He returned to Bristol University in 1965 to a joint lectureship in Biochemistry and Pharmacology and rose quickly in the academic community. He was promoted to Reader in 1972 and gained his Doctor of Science in 1974. In March 1978 he was appointed to the Chair of Anatomy. From 1985 to 1987 he was Dean of the Faculty of Medicine. He became Pro-Vice-Chancellor in 1990 and Deputy Vice-Chancellor in 1992.
Professor Pickering is a leading figure of the University who has made an immense contribution during his 36 years' service.
Back to archive
Email: public-relations@bristol.ac.uk
Copyright: 2001 The University of Bristol, UK
Updated: Wednesday, 11-Jul-2001 15:56:02 BST