Spice Girl Mel B to receive honorary doctorate from Leeds Beckett
It will recognise her work as an anti-domestic abuse campaigner
Last updated 8th Jul 2024
Spice Girl Mel B is to receive an honorary doctorate from Leeds Beckett University, recognising her work as a campaigner and advocate for domestic abuse victims.
The singer - whose real name is Melanie Brown - was born in Leeds and went on to sell 85 million records with the girl group.
In 2018, she revealed her personal experiences of domestic abuse in her book Brutally Honest, becoming an advocate for survivors.
She has since been made a patron of Women's Aid and has been invited to speak in Parliament on the subject.
In 2022, Brown was awarded an MBE by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II for services to survivors of domestic abuse.
She has now enrolled on the Trauma Informed Care course at Leeds Beckett University, and has added chapters to her book focusing on overcoming trauma.
Speaking about receiving the award, Melanie Brown MBE said: “Being awarded this honorary degree from Leeds Beckett University has been life changing.
“I didn’t just want to accept an award. I wanted to be accepted as a student at Leeds Beckett. Not only have I been awarded this degree, but I was also accepted as a student on the Trauma Informed Care course which has been a huge step for me in so many ways.
“I am proud to feel part of this university in my hometown, proud to have come here as Melanie Brown, proud to have worked alongside other students and received excellent guidance from the teaching staff.”
Professor Peter Slee, Leeds Beckett University Vice Chancellor said ‘’On behalf of all our students, colleagues and governors here at Leeds Beckett University, I would like to congratulate Melanie Brown MBE on this Honorary Degree.
“As a child of this city who reached the top of her industry and then used her platform to advocate for those who shared her hardships, Melanie is exactly the type of citizen we are here to champion.
“This year, she joins over 2,300 graduates from the School of Health, equipping a generation of professionals to meet the healthcare challenges of the nation both now and into the future.”