University of Warwick Awards Honorary Doctorate for Innovative ‘School Tasking’ Project

The University of Warwick awarded an Honorary Doctorate to renowned comedian Alex Horne for his contributions to widening participation. Alex, of Taskmaster fame, played a key role in the success of the University’s ‘School Tasking’ project.

School Tasking is the brainchild of Warwick Law’s Dr Ali Struthers. It brings law into primary schools, with fun and interactive learning sessions to encourage an interest in both the subject and in Higher Education. Each ‘task’ the children are set is presented by the comedian in videos created especially for the project.

On graduation day (Monday 15th Jan) Alex spent the morning running a session with 30 children from a local Coventry school. To kick things off, the children took part in a treasure hunt, and after following the clues around the University’s award-winning FAB building, they discovered the comedian hidden away in a top-floor room.

After meeting with the Vice Chancellor, Professor Stuart Croft, Alex took to the stage and received the honour from Chancellor, Baroness Ashton of Upholland.