Who gets honorary doctorates, and what that says about varsities

Honorary degrees are awarded by universities to recognise outstanding achievement in a particular field, or service. [iStock]

Universities like to associate themselves with exceptional individuals through the awarding of honorary doctorates, but this practice has often attracted controversy, creating headaches for university administrators.

Honorary doctorates highlight uncomfortable but important questions about the purpose of the university and its role in reinforcing and perpetuating social inequality.