18 July 2001

ADAM HART-DAVIS HONOURED BY UNIVERSITY OF BRADFORD

ADAM HART-DAVIS is amongst leading figures from the worlds of television and media, business, science and religion, to receive Honorary Doctorates from the University of Bradford this week (Tuesday, 17 July to Thursday, 19 July).

The University will honour the Rt. Rev. David Smith, Lord Bishop of Bradford; Lord MacLaurin of Knebworth, DL, businessman and Chairman of the England and Wales Cricket Board; David Anderson, Chief Executive, Yorkshire Building Society; Adam Hart-Davis, television presenter; Professor Sir David Smith, botanist; Professor Robert Worcester, founder and Chairman of MORI; and Frank J.T. Fildes, Senior Vice-President and Head of Global Development, AstraZeneca, alongside more than 1,800 graduates of the University of Bradford.

The ceremonies take place in the Great Hall, Richmond Building, University of Bradford.

Doctor of Science Adam Hart-Davis
Wednesday 18 July, 2.00pm Ceremony

Adam Hart-Davis was born in 1943. He studied for an MA at Oxford and was awarded a First in Chemistry. For his Doctorate he moved to York and studied Organometallic Chemistry.

In 1977 he moved into television as a researcher and in 1985 invented and produced Scientific Eye; the most successful school science series on television - which was used in some 70 per cent of UK secondary schools, and in 35 other countries. Later, Mathematical Eye received similar success. Books to accompany both series were written by Adam Hart-Davis. In 1992 the first series of Local Heroes was launched as a regional series for YTV. He travelled around the country on his bike, talking about dead scientists and conducting experiments and demonstrations. After the second series, Local Heroes became a national programme on BBC2 and ended in summer 2000 after a further six successful series.

Adam Hart-Davis has also presented six programmes on Roman technology and forty-three programmes on history. He has written fourteen books, including Eurekaaargh! - failed inventions, The Local Heroes book of British ingenuity and Amazing Maths Puzzles. Currently he appears on the Radio 4 panel game Inspiration! and is working on What the Victorians did for us, twelve more radio programmes and an educational television series for Channel 4. Adam Hart-Davis is a Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts and a member of the Bureau of Freelance Photographers.

He is awarded a Doctorate in recognition of his distinctive contributions in popularising science and technology and, in particular for his long-running television series "Local Heroes". Also for his contributions to the public perception of the Bradford district through programmes dealing with major local figures.

Professor Colin Bell, Vice-Chancellor of the University, said: "The core values and beliefs of our University are represented in our Honorary Graduates. We are pleased to be able to recognise the achievements of such talented and distinguished individuals and delighted that they were able to join with us in celebrating the achievements of our many graduates." P

hoto/interview opportunities Adam Hart-Davis will meet with Bradford Bicycle Users Group at 4pm outside the Richmond Building.

For further information or photographs of the event, please contact Rachael Ellis in Corporate Communications on (01274) 233084/0787 9437986 or Lynda Isaac/Lucy Baruch on (01274) 233089. Alternatively, e-mail r.ellis1@bradford.ac.uk or fax on (01274) 235460.