Christie Watson, Senior Lecturer in Creative and Professional Writing at St Mary’s University, Twickenham has been awarded an Honorary Doctorate from the University of East Anglia (UEA).
Christie, who studied Creative Writing at UEA, is one of 18 notable names to be recognised for her outstanding accomplishments and contributions to the community and will receive an Honorary Doctorate of Letters.
The news comes just days after Christie celebrated the publication of her new highly-acclaimed book The Language of Kindness at The Exchange in Twickenham in front of packed-out crowd.
The book explores her 20 years in nursing and describes a series of acts of care, compassion and kindness in the nursing profession. It was published by Chatto & Windus last month and has already spent three weeks in the Sunday Times Top Ten Bestseller list and been made BBC Radio 4 Book of the Week. It is being translated into 18 different languages and also adapted into a television series after being commissioned by production company Mammoth Screen, which has produced Poldark and Victoria.
Christie will receive her doctorate during UEA’s graduation ceremonies in July.
Programme Director of Creative Writing at St Mary’s Jonathan Gibbs, said, “This is great news for Christie and a deserved recognition for her marvellous writing, and the way she uses her books to make the case for greater care and compassion in all aspects of life. The Language of Kindness is a wonderful book, and sits perfectly in line with St Mary's' key mission of having a positive impact on the world.”
Further details of the Creative and Professional Writing BA and the Creative Writing MA: First Novel can be found online or by emailing jonathan.gibbs@stmarys.ac.uk.
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