The Head of Oxfam Scotland has been recognised at the first of the University of the West of Scotland’s winter graduations. Jamie Livingstone was awarded an Honorary Doctorate at the University’s Dumfries graduation ceremony, which took place in October 2025 at the Crichton Memorial Church.

Jamie said: “I am deeply honoured to receive this recognition from the University of the West of Scotland, particularly from an institution which has partnered with Oxfam Scotland for many years to help build a fairer and more sustainable Scotland. In doing so, I think of all those driving change within their community. With so much progress still to make, it was wonderful to receive this award alongside the University’s new graduates, who I’m sure will be among the next generation pushing for change in Scotland, the UK, and globally. My sincere thanks go to everyone at UWS for this recognition, which will inspire and energise my work in the years ahead.”

The University of the West of Scotland and Oxfam Scotland have been official partners since 2012 with the UWS-Oxfam Partnership – here, Jamie talks a little about the Partnership and about his work more generally.  

Murray Leith, Professor of Political Science, delivered Jamie’s laureation. Professor Leith described Jamie’s work towards a fairer world and a fairer Scotland as commendable and inspiring and as making a real difference.

In the audience were not only the many who received a degree from the University, but also former and present collaborators of the UWS-Oxfam Partnership. These included Dr Chik Collins, the co-founder of the Partnership, and Dr Hartwig Pautz as one of the Partnership’s current co-leads.

Congratulations, Dr Livingstone – this doctorate is well-deserved for tireless work to make the world a better place.