Honorary graduates

Virginia McKenna2012

Virginia McKenna OBE - Actress and dedicated campaigner for animal conservation

Honorary Degree of Doctor of Science (HonDSc) in recognition of her outstanding record of service to film, theatre and wildlife conservation.

In the 1966 film Born Free, Virginia McKenna had a screen role that opened up a new strand of real life. She played Joy Adamson, the wife of Kenya game warden George Adamson, and afterwards she and her husband Bill Travers (who played George) actively supported the protection of wild animals.

In 1984 the couple helped, with others including their eldest son Will, to found Zoo Check, which became the Born Free Foundation in 1991. It promotes the protection of animals in the wild and their welfare in zoos.

While continuing with film and television roles and poetry readings, most of Virginia's time in recent years has been dedicated to books, visits, talks and events dealing with conservation.