Leeds alumnus receives honorary Doctor of Letters

An honorary degree is regarded as one of higher education’s most prestigious awards and each year the University carefully elects notable recipients.

At the School of Performance and Cultural Industries graduation ceremony on Thursday 14 July, Professor Wayne McGregor CBE, received an honorary Doctor of Letters award.

Professor McGregor has won multiple awards for choreography and directing, and is Professor of Choreography at Trinity Laban Conservatoire. He was the first contemporary choreographer to be appointed as the Resident Choreographer of The Royal Ballet in 2006. His work has been re-staged and performed by companies including Paris Opera, New York City and Bolshoi ballets, while his ensemble of dancers, Company Wayne McGregor, is resident at Sadler’s Wells Theatre in London. In addition his work has featured in popular culture including in the Harry Potter films, and in music videos. His installations at the Houses of Parliament, the Saatchi Gallery and the Centre Pompidou in Paris are internationally distinguished. In 2011 he was made a Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) for his services to dance.