The Incredible Alan Smart - uni accolade for Boyracers author
Well-known novelist and playwright Alan Bissett will return to his old stomping ground this week when he picks up an honorary degree from the University of Stirling.
The 40-year-old, from Falkirk, is author of successful novels such as Boyracers, The Incredible Adam Spark and Death of a Ladies’Man. He went on to pen a number of plays.
Bissett, now aged 40, graduated from the university with a first class honours degree in English with Education, and a Diploma in Education in 1998 before gaining a MLitt in English in 2002.
And he is set to return on Friday to pick up the award of Doctor of the University in recognition of his “outstanding contribution to Scottish literary culture”at the Gannochy National Tennis Centre.
Leading primatologist emeritus Professor Andrew Whiten is also set to receive the Doctor of the University award at the ceremony.
He is being recognised for his outstanding contribution to our understanding of the evolution of primates. He is said to have put Scotland at the forefront of the study of animal behaviour and established the Living Links to Human Evolution Primate Research Centre at Edinburgh Zoo.
Professor Whiten is the first scientist to have been awarded both the Royal Society of Edinburgh’s Sir James Black Prize and Medal and the Royal Society of Edinburgh’s Senior Prize and Medal for Public Engagement.
Stirling University football coach Shelley Kerr, the first female to coach a men’s senior football side in Britain, will collect a Master’s degree in Sport Management.
University Chancellor and broadcaster James Naughtie will confer more than 700 degrees across two ceremonies.
And Professor John Gardiner, Senior Deputy Principal at the university, said:“Already part of the Stirling family, Alan Bissett is renowned for his use of Scottish vernacular language and representations of working-class communities in his literary works.
“It’s a pleasure to have him back on campus to be honoured for his numerous successes since leaving University.
“Professor Andrew Whiten has made many major scientific discoveries into the evolution of primates.
“Having established a leading Scottish collaborative research group, which includes Stirling academics, he leads some of the most influential studies in this area at Edinburgh Zoo.
“Both of our honorary graduands have made outstanding contributions in their fields and represent what can be achieved when talent is combined with hard work. The recognition they receive is richly deserved.”