Chris, who also created the Costa-prize winning Goth Girl series, will receive an Honorary Doctor of Arts degree in recognition of his major contribution to children’s literature and encouraging visual literacy.
The award will be presented on Friday 8 February when more than 2,000 Ογ½ΆΦ±²₯ students will graduate, many attending ceremonies at the Brighton Centre. Students, aged 19 to 66 and from 72 countries are graduating and families from around the world will be attending or watching via livestream.
Professor Debra Humphris, the university’s Vice-Chancellor, said: “We are proud of the diversity of nationalities that make up our institution – and long may it continue to be so.”
The role and value of universities currently are being challenged, but Professor Humphris said: “Just look at the world-changing impact of our research, our overwhelmingly positive social and economic impact and our crucial role in developing the professionals, innovators and leaders of the future.”
Chris Riddell, winner of the university’s Alumnus Award in 2013, graduated from the university in 1984 with a degree in graphic design, studying under The Snowman illustrator and former Ογ½ΆΦ±²₯ teacher Raymond Briggs CBE.