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Yale professor receives Honorary Doctorate 50 years on

Michael Bracken, Professor of Epidemiology at America’s prestigious Yale University, has received an Honorary Doctorate from the University of Gloucestershire, 50 years after he first graduated from St Paul’s College in Cheltenham.

A renowned global leader in evidence-based medicine, he has studied and taught at Yale for the last 47 years, and is the Susan Dwight Bliss Professor of Epidemiology, (Chronic Diseases) and Professor of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Reproductive Science and Neurology.

Originally from Yorkshire, in 1965 he received his Certificate of Education (specialising in Science and Geology) from St Paul’s College of Education in Cheltenham, which is now the University of Gloucestershire.

And today he attended graduation at The Centaur, Cheltenham, along with hundreds of students, and received an Honorary Doctorate of Science.

On presenting his award, Stephen Marston, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Gloucestershire, said: “It is in recognition of Michael’s outstanding contribution to the field of medicine as an alumnus of the University, that we are honouring him today.”

Professor Bracken consults for many international corporations and agencies including the World Health Organisation. A sometime Research Fellow in Green Templeton College, Oxford University, he has published more than 380 articles and written three books.

Professor Bracken said: “St Paul’s College taught me how to be an effective teacher – something that has served me well in my career as a University Professor. I am pleased and humbled to be awarded an Honorary Doctorate by the University of Gloucestershire 50 years after graduating from the College.”

Every year, the University confers honorary awards on distinguished individuals who have made an outstanding contribution locally, nationally or internationally or who have supported the University in some way.

They join around 2,000 graduating students at ceremonies in Cheltenham and Gloucester.