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Renowned poet awarded honorary degree

28/09/2015

A renowned poet has been awarded an honorary degree from the University of Wolverhampton.  Honorary Graduate 2015 Joanne Bell

Joanne Bell has been awarded the Honorary Degree of Doctor of Letters from the University’s Office of the Dean of Students.

Joanne was awarded the degree in the graduation in recognition of her established poetry career, her advocacy for poetry on social media and her work to encourage people to develop their writing skills.

She has also been the Canal Laureate for the UK since 2012, having received numerous awards including the Charles Causley Poetry Prize and the Manchester Cathedral Poetry Prize.

Joanne has also worked for the Ledbury Poetry Festival and as Poet in Residence at Glastonbury Festival as well as play host to other organisations including National Poetry day, which she directed from 2006-2012.

She said: “It’s a great honour to receive the award. I am usually allergic to ceremony but it felt like a proper occasion for all graduates- it is a landmark moment in their lives, one which we should celebrate.

“I am now looking forward to finding ways of building the relationship further with the University.”

ENDS

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