Policy: Honorary degrees

Purpose

To outline the standards which underpin the awarding of honorary degrees at ANU.

Overview

This policy sets out principles that underpin the awarding of honorary degrees to highly eminent individuals in recognition for their significant contribution to the work, reputation or standing of the University; for their outstanding achievement as a scholar; or for their outstanding contribution in the service of society.

Scope

This policy is to apply to all nominations and awards of honorary awards under the Australian National University (Governance) Statute 2023 (ANU Governance Statute).

Policy statement

The University confers four kinds of honorary doctorate:

Honorary Award	Honorary Doctor of Science	Honorary Doctor of Letters	Honorary Doctor of Laws	Honorary Doctor of the University
Postnominals	HonDSc	HonLittD	HonLLD	HonDUniv
Eligibility	Highly eminent individuals who have made an exceptional contribution to science that is recognised internationally	Highly eminent individuals who have made an exceptional contribution to a disciplinary or interdisciplinary field or endeavour or to society, that is recognised internationally	Highly eminent individuals who have made an exceptional contribution in policy, public service or the practice of law that is recognised nationally or internationally	Highly eminent individuals who have made an exceptional contribution to the work, standing or reputation of the University that is recognised nationally or internationally
Conferral term	Title is retained for life	Title is retained for life	Title is retained for life	Title is retained for life

Use of title

Use of the title ‘Doctor’ or ‘Dr’, associated with an honorary degree of the University, is only permitted when participating in an activity or event associated with the University.

Limitations on eligibility

An Honorary Doctor of Science is to be awarded only with regards to the disciplinary fields of science, technology, engineering or mathematics.
The award of an honorary degree to a serving politician or public servant, is only considered in exceptional circumstances.
The award of an honorary degree to a person who is, when nominated, a member of the staff of the University, is only considered in exceptional circumstances.

Conferral

An honorary degree is not conferred in absentia.
An honorary degree is conferred posthumously if the secretary of the Honorary Committee had received the relevant proposal before the death of the nominee.

Information	Printable version (PDF)
Title	Honorary degrees
Document Type	Policy
Document Number	ANUP_011613
Version
Purpose	To outline the standards which underpin the awarding of honorary degrees at ANU.
Audience	Staff
Category	Governance
Topic/ SubTopic	Community & Development

Effective Date	12 Apr 2024
Next Review Date	11 Apr 2029

Responsible Officer:	Director, Corporate Governance and Risk Office
Approved By:	ANU Council
Contact Area	Corporate Governance and Risk Office
Authority:	Australian National University Act 1991
Delegations	0
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