Poet Laureate Andrew Motion, who is one of the recipients of an honorary award during this year's Sheffield Hallam University graduation ceremonies, has described himself as 'a town crier, can-opener and flag-waver for poetry'. Many of the other individuals who will receive honorary doctorates this year could echo his sentiments in their own particular fields, having campaigned, educated, inspired and supported the wider community. Their D.Univ degrees will be conferred during the University's graduation ceremonies at Sheffield City Hall between 11 and 21 November.

Sheffield Hallam University awards honorary degrees of Doctor of the University (D.Univ) on the basis of 'distinction in the fields of learning, the arts, public life, community service and /or a distinctive contribution to Sheffield Hallam University, the City of Sheffield or the region.'

Debjani Chatterjee (NAWE's Reviews Editor), who will be collecting her award on her fiftieth birthday, is one of this country's best-known Asian writers and has written, translated or edited over 30 books of poetry and prose for children and adults. She often works in schools, libraries and community centres as a writer and storyteller. A former student of Sheffield City Polytechnic and Governor of Sheffield Hallam University, Debjani Chatterjee has made an energetic contribution to the life of the City and the region. Between 1984 and 1994 she was Community Relations Director in Sheffield. During 2000, she was appointed by the Poetry Society as their poet-in-residence at Sheffield Children's Hospital. She has served as an adviser to Yorkshire Arts, the Arts Council's Literature Advisory Group and BBC Radio Sheffield. She is also co-founder of Sheffield Inter-faith and South Yorkshire's Bengali Women's Support Group - organisations promoting understanding between communities.