CLAHRC West Director Jenny Donovan gives Russell Hamilton’s honorary degree oration
3 October 2017
NIHR CLAHRC West Director Jenny Donovan has given the oration for Dr Russell Hamilton’s honorary Doctor of Science degree from the University of Bristol.
Dr Russell Hamilton has played a central role in shaping how health research happens in the UK, particularly in forming the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) during his time at the Department of Health. He recently retired from his role there as Director of Research and Development.
During the oration, which Jenny gave during the degree ceremony in July, she said:
“To achieve something so transformational requires some particular characteristics – astute understanding, clear thinking, an inexhaustible appetite for hard work, and serious political ‘nous’ come immediately to mind. There was also incredible cleverness and tremendous determination. Over and over again Russell was told, “that can’t be done in the NHS”, and each time he smiled quietly and worked out exactly how it could be done.”