Abertay University to honour former Prime Minister and award-winning composer at summer Graduation

The pair will be recognised at the ceremonies in Dundee on Friday 21 July

Abertay University is set to award honorary degrees to two distinguished figures from the world of politics and music at its summer graduation ceremonies later this month.

Gordon Brown, former Prime Minister of the United Kingdom and lifelong anti-poverty campaigner, and Jessica Curry, composer and former games developer, will join over 700 graduands for morning and afternoon ceremonies at Caird Hall in Dundee on Friday 21 July 2023.

Students from all four of Abertay’s academic schools – the School of Design and Informatics, the School of Applied Sciences, the School of Business, Law and Social Sciences, and the Graduate School – will cross the stage at the ceremonies.

Members of the University's leadership team, including Chancellor Professor Alice Brown and Principal and Vice-Chancellor Professor Liz Bacon, will address both ceremonies.

Professor Liz Bacon said:

Graduation is the most important date in the University calendar, bringing our community together to celebrate the considerable achievements of our talented students. It is a very special occasion that recognises their hard work and serves as a moment of collective pride for everyone at Abertay. We are absolutely thrilled to be welcoming Gordon Brown and Jessica Curry to the Abertay family as honorary graduates. Both are highly esteemed in their respective fields and are the perfect role models for our graduates and the University more widely.

Gordon Brown is the United Nations Special Envoy for Global Education, a World Health Organisation Ambassador for Global Health Financing and former Prime Minister of the United Kingdom. He served in the latter role from 2007 to 2010, navigating the country through the global financial crisis. Previously, he served as Chancellor of the Exchequer from 1997 to 2007, making him the longest-serving Chancellor in modern history. His time as Chancellor was also marked by major reform of Britain’s monetary and fiscal policy as well as the sustained investment in health, education and overseas aid.

Jessica Curry is a BAFTA-winning composer of contemporary classical and video game music. Her music has had extensive exposure on radio and concert halls around the world, and her work has been performed in high-profile venues around the world. Jessica co-founded and ran the internationally renowned game studio The Chinese Room, and her signature compositions alongside her work as a creative and audio director are fundamental to the studio’s reputation.