This week three esteemed figures from across education, politics, and sport will receive honorary degrees from the University of Liverpool.
Recipients include Dr Jasmin Paris MBE, the UKs leading female ultra-endurance athlete; Sir John Curtice, election specialist; and Professor Youmin Xi, Executive President of Xi’an Jiaotong-Liverpool University.
The honorary degrees will be conferred during ceremonies at Liverpool Philharmonic Hall, where 2500 graduates will celebrate their achievements.
University of Liverpool Vice-Chancellor, Professor Tim Jones said: “We are proud to celebrate our honorary graduates, who have long been part of the University of Liverpool community through their connections and contributions. Each exemplifies qualities that define our institution – ambition, innovation, and social responsibility – and their achievements continue to inspire us.
“As our students and their families gather to mark years of dedication, these honorary graduates will share insights from their journeys, offering guidance and encouragement. Their stories remind us that success takes many forms and that every member of our community has the power to make a meaningful impact.”
University of Liverpool 2025 honorary degree recipients are:
Dr Jasmin Paris MBE
For over a decade, Jasmin Paris has redefined the limits of women’s ultra-endurance running. Her achievements include being the only woman to complete the Barkley Marathons – one of the world’s most gruelling races. Beyond sport, Jasmin is a veterinary academic, mother, and climate change advocate. A graduate of the University’s School of Veterinary Science, she now serves as Senior Lecturer at the University of Edinburgh’s Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies.
Sir John Curtice
British political scientist and one of the UK’s most respected election analysts, Professor Sir John Curtice taught in the University’s Department of Politics from 1983 to 1988 before joining the University of Strathclyde. Sir John has written extensively about voting behaviour in elections and referendums in the UK, as well as wider political and social attitudes. A familiar face on BBC election broadcast coverage since 1979, he helped to develop the general election exit-poll methodology now standard in UK general election coverage.
Professor Youmin Xi
Professor Xi is recognised for exceptional leadership and transformative contributions to higher education. Since the foundation of Xi’an Jiaotong-Liverpool University (XJTLU) in 2006, he has guided its growth into a leading Sino-UK joint-venture university. Under his stewardship, XJTLU has advanced global education and strengthened the University of Liverpool’s presence in China, ahead of its 20th anniversary next year.