The Widening Participation Committee is part of The Further Education Funding Council aimed at promoting access to further education for people who do not participate in, but would benefit from, education and training.
Sir Michael Heron was made an Honorary Doctor of Letters in 1997.
School of Legal, Political and Social Sciences, South Bank University.
Dame Kelly Holmes DBE is a retired British middle distance athlete. Holmes specialised in the 800 metres and 1500 metres events and won a gold medal for both distances at the 2004 Summer Olympics in Athens. She set British records in numerous events and still holds the records over the 600, 800 and 1000 metre distances.
Dame Kelly Holmes was made an Honorary Fellow of the University in 2010.
The "Life in the United Kingdom" Advisory Group was established in September 2002 with the remit to advise the Home Secretary on the method, conduct and implementation of a "Life in the United Kingdom" naturalisation test.
Vice-Chancellor of South Bank University (2001-2003) and Vice-Chancellor of London South Bank University (2003-2009).
One time student at Battersea College of Education.
Sandra Horley was made an Honorary Fellow of the University in 2006.
Sandra Horley's life's work has been a struggle to get domestic violence taken seriously by people. She is an advocate of women's rights, a sociologist, author, and the Chief Executive of Refuge – the national domestic violence charity – from 1983-2020.
Sandra Horley is committed to campaigning on behalf of abused women and lobbying for changes in legislation and policy. She has spent most of her career battling against prejudices and lack of understanding around domestic violence.
Her work and contribution was recognised at the highest level when she was awarded the OBE for 'services to the protection of women and children' in 1999.
Born in Sarnia, Canada, she has a BA with distinction in sociology from McGill University.
Horley started working with abused and homeless women in Wolverhampton where she was the organiser of the Haven Project. She's also worked as a counsellor, homelessness officer and housing advice worker before becoming Chief Executive of Refuge in 1983.
Since that time, Refuge has grown beyond recognition. Today, Refuge is the UK's largest domestic violence service with a growing network of refuges and community based support including a 24-hour national domestic violence helpline. Refuge is a national "lifeline" for up to 80,000 women and children every year. The charity runs award winning campaigns that change the way people think about domestic violence. In 2006, the year Sandra was awarded the honorary fellowship, Refuge celebrated 35 years since opening the world's first refuge in Chiswick.
Horley explains that, "Our services (at Refuge) are there when a woman is most in need. We can give her and her children a safe place, understanding and support. With our help she is more likely to leave her violent partner and rebuild her life." At an interview she explained what keeps her going, "I've come across 1000's of brave, strong women in my working life – and they have made every minute of it worthwhile. This is what keeps me going."
Horley has over 28 years' experience in the field of domestic violence and abuse - experience and expertise that she has always shared with others. She has been involved in training police, health, housing and social workers. She has given evidence to UK Government select committees and has acted as an adviser to several foreign governments. She has provided expert evidence in numerous civil and ground breaking murder/manslaughter cases where the accused was an abused woman. She has produced numerous articles for the national press and professional journals and frequently gives radio and TV interviews. She has advised on TV 'soaps' like Eastenders on their storyline.
Horley has also written many acclaimed books on the subject of domestic violence. Her last book called 'Power and Control – Why Charming Men Can Make Dangerous Lovers' is widely praised.
Horley has made a remarkable contribution to the protection of women and children and to our greater understanding and awareness of domestic violence as an issue. She has inspired many to be brave and to stand up against it and recognise that it is unacceptable.
Jessica Huntley was made an Honorary Doctors of Letters of the University in November 2000. She was a Guyanese-born British publisher, and a women's and community rights activist, notable as the founder in 1969 of Bogle-L'Ouverture Publications in London. Among other activism, Huntley was a co-founder with Margaret Busby and others of Greater Access to Publishing (GAP), a voluntary group campaigning for greater diversity within the mainstream publishing industry.
Staff member, Social Sciences Department, Polytechnic of the South Bank
Dr Nobuhiro Iijima, an alumnus of the National Bakery School, was made an Honorary Doctor of Science in 1992. Mr. Iijima is president and CEO of Yamazaki Baking Co., Japan's leading manufacturer of bread and baked goods.