My Bath University HonDEng Speech (the one I didn't give)

Last week I was hugely honoured to receive an Honorary Doctorate from Bath University, a University I have been associated with, and have admired for 32 years since I got my Materials Science degree there in 1987. Being on such a small course of 16 students at the time meant that it has been relatively easy to keep in touch with other course mates, and also to keep in touch with the lecturers, who I still see from time to time at reunions and University Court meetings, where I am a member. Indeed at the degree ceremony last week two of my previous lecturers came to support my award (Dr David Packham and Dr Martin Ansell) – I was so grateful to see them - and it was an absolutely pleasure to be part of the academic procession with these and other current Bath University academics who work so hard to support the students and ensure that they have a memorable, formative and successful time at the University.

I want to take this opportunity to thank Dr Marion Harney who took all of the pressure of composing and reading the oration so brilliantly. And to Professor Tim Ibell who has been a sponsor and inspiration to me personally, and whose work, ethos, and passion for the subject I admire so much, and share. And of course thank you to the Bath University Vice Chancellors – both Professor Ian White and Dame Glynis Breakwell for their support now and over many years. And I must also say a big thank you too to Roger Whorrod OBE, who I have known since my days at WES, who has supported the WES Bath Student group so magnificently, and is such a fabulous giver to this University, and is now the Pro-Chancellor.

On the day of my graduation I didn’t speak on stage after being awarded the Hon Doctorate, and I was very grateful to the University for accepting this decision not to respond. For those of you who know me, they will know that I am not a keen public speaker, and I can easily work myself into a state of anxiety when having to do so, which from time to time has manifested itself in me not actually being able to breathe and speak at the same time. And I’m not talking about something that others wouldn’t notice (as people often say to me – ‘nobody will notice, only you’). No, actually this is a full-blown anxiety attack which people cannot fail to notice. But on other occasions I am absolutely fine and could even go as far as to say that I enjoyed doing it (after the event, that is). As those with other anxieties will know there is not always a rationality to this.

So not wanting to risk an anxiety attack on this occasion I decided not to speak. But in a kind of perverse way I hope that this didn’t disappoint people, but actually empowered some people to realise that it is not always necessary to do things in the same way. When my son graduated at Swansea University last year, the HonDoc didn’t speak then either, and I remember being so happy to find that somebody could get to that position and NOT have to speak on stage. What a revelation. And in that moment, it opened up a possibility in my mind that I could do it too.

I have thought about what I would have said to the new graduates if I did speak, and went through a number of ideas including speaking about my work to empower and encourage women in engineering; why and how to use our technical expertise to help solve the big challenges of the day which are expressed most succinctly in the Sustainable Development Goals; or to continue to represent the ethical and inclusive values of the University of Bath throughout the rest of their lives and careers.

But I think that the simple messages I feel I would want to portray are to be yourself, to be authentic, to be kind and listen to others, not to be frightened to be different, choose a great partner, and to match your work with what you believe in as far as you can. And if you do that then you will hopefully have as interesting a career as I have had, and continue to be happy in what you do and who you are. Thank you again to Bath University for this tremendous honour.