Leading the way for peace – Dr Scilla Elworthy
Honorary Award Community
This blog showcases how an internationally renowned ambassador for peace, Dr Scilla Elworthy, supported the Department of Peace Studies and International Development’s Golden Jubilee celebrations at the House of Lords.
Dr Scilla Elworthy was awarded an Honorary Degree of Doctor of the University in 2019 in recognition of her significant contribution to peace. Scilla is an alumna of the University having completed a PhD in Peace Studies in 1993 and is currently the Co-Founder of The Business Plan for Peace.
She is renowned internationally as an ambassador for peace, was a trailblazer for women within the field, and is impressively a three times Nobel Peace Prize nominee for her work with the Oxford Research Group.
We are extremely grateful to Scilla for giving her time to speak at this event, and for her continued support of the University and Department, which helps to inspire the next generation. We are overwhelmingly proud of her success as an influential and globally recognised peacebuilder and are delighted that we can call her an alumna and ambassador of our department and University.
Professor P. B. Anand, Head of the Department of Peace Studies and International Development
How we work together
In May 2023 Scilla accepted an invitation to be a guest speaker at the Department of Peace Studies and International Development’s Golden Jubilee event which was hosted at the House of Lords.
The event was a celebration to mark 50 years since the department was created from a small, yet fearless start, to being recognised, internationally, as a leading centre in the study of peace, conflict and sustainability.
Scilla was asked to reflect on her experience of studying at Bradford and how her degree helped her to excel in her career. She spoke passionately to an audience of high-profile guests about how she has been inspired through-out her career by Peace Studies inaugural Chair, Professor Adam Curle, and how having a doctorate from the University of Bradford gave her confidence, and earnt her the respect of her fellow colleagues at a time when very few women were working in the field.
As a proud graduate of the department, I was happy to give my time to speak at this remarkable celebration and meet with individuals that have or are currently playing an important role in the department’s story.
Dr Scilla Elworthy, Doctor of the University
Watch Scilla's graduation speech, and read about Honorary Graduation for more information on Honorary Award Recipients.