Abertay to honour leaders in disability rights, education and sustainability at 2026 summer graduation

Three individuals whose work has made a lasting impact across disability rights, education, science and sustainability will receive honorary degrees from Abertay University at its Summer Graduation Ceremony this month.

Disability rights advocate Beth Morrison, education and science engagement leader Dr Isabel Bruce OBE, and internationally recognised engineer and climate resilience expert Professor Anusha Shah will be honoured alongside this year’s graduating students.

The ceremony will take place on Friday 10 July at the Caird Hall in Dundee, where more than 700 students from Abertay’s academic faculties will gather with friends, family and senior members of the University, including Chancellor Professor Alice Brown and Principal and Vice-Chancellor Professor Liz Bacon.

Angus-based Beth Morrison will receive an honorary degree in recognition of her outstanding contribution to disability rights and children’s rights in Scotland. Founder and Chief Executive of Positive & Active Behaviour Support Scotland (PABSS), she has campaigned to improve the lives of disabled children and young people, with her advocacy helping to shape national policy and legislation, including the successful campaign for Calum’s Law.

Dr Isabel Bruce OBE will receive an honorary degree for her contribution to education, science engagement and public life. A former Chief Executive of Dundee Science Centre, Dr Bruce led a period of significant growth and transformation, expanding the organisation’s reach through exhibitions, festivals, community programmes and digital initiatives.

Professor Anusha Shah will receive an Honorary Degree of Doctor of Science in recognition of her internationally recognised leadership in engineering, sustainability, and climate resilience, and for her advocacy of regenerative, nature-positive, and people-centred infrastructure. As the 159th President of the Institution of Civil Engineers, she became the first person of colour and only the third woman to hold the office in the institution's more than 205-year history. Her landmark presidency was defined by a bold vision to place nature and people at the centre of engineering practice, inspiring the profession globally to embrace more regenerative, climate-resilient, and socially equitable approaches to infrastructure development.

Professor Liz Bacon, Principal and Vice-Chancellor of Abertay University, said:

Each of our honorary graduates has made an exceptional contribution in their field while demonstrating a clear commitment to creating positive change for others. Beth Morrison, Dr Isabel Bruce and Professor Anusha Shah have each shown the power of leadership, determination and innovation in addressing some of society’s most important challenges. We are delighted to recognise their achievements and welcome them to Abertay as we celebrate this year’s graduating class.

Honorary degrees are awarded by Abertay University to individuals who have achieved distinction in their profession or made an exceptional contribution to society.

For more information on attending Graduation, visit the Abertay University website.

Beth Morrison

Beth Morrison is a Scottish disability rights advocate, lived-experience researcher and founder of Positive & Active Behaviour Support Scotland (PABSS). Following her son Calum’s experience of restraint at school, she became a leading campaigner for the rights of disabled children and young people, helping to shape national policy and legislation on restraint and seclusion in schools.

Her work has contributed to major inquiries, research projects and safeguarding reforms, including the successful campaign for Calum’s Law. Beth is also a trustee of the UK Restraint Reduction Network and a founding member of Restraint Reduction Scotland.

Her contribution has been recognised through honours including the Saltire Society’s Outstanding Women of Scotland award, an Amnesty International Brave Award and recognition as one of the Times Educational Supplement’s People of the Year.

Dr Isabel Bruce OBE

Dr Isabel Bruce OBE is a highly respected leader whose career has spanned higher education, science engagement, heritage and international development. She served as Chief Executive of Dundee Science Centre from 2019 to 2024, leading a significant expansion in the organisation’s reach and community impact.

Throughout her career she has held a range of executive and non-executive leadership positions across education, culture and the third sector. She is currently Chair of the David Livingstone Trust and has previously served on the boards of organisations including National Museums Scotland and the Scotland Malawi Partnership.

Dr Bruce was appointed an Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) in 2009 for services to Higher Education in Scotland and Malawi.

Professor Anusha Shah

Professor Anusha Shah is an internationally recognised civil engineer, climate adaptation specialist, and leading advocate for sustainable, regenerative and nature positive infrastructure. She served as the 159th President of the Institution of Civil Engineers, becoming the first person of colour and only the third woman to hold the role in the organisation’s history.

 She is the Founder and Chief Executive of Plan for Earth, an organisation dedicated to driving systemic change in sustainability and accelerating the transition to regenerative, climate-resilient, and nature and people-positive infrastructure. Previously, she served as Global Senior Director for Climate, Water & Nature at Arcadis, where she led international water, climate adaptation, resilience, and sustainability strategies.

Professor Shah also served as a Non-Executive Director of the UK Met Office and is currently a trustee of the environmental think tank Green Alliance, as well as on the Partnership board of Cyanlines. Her work has earned numerous honours, including honorary doctorates and recognition among the UK’s leading women engineers in sustainability.