Longstanding arts advocate and former chief executive of the Edinburgh Festival Fringe Society, Shona McCarthy, has been awarded an honorary doctorate by Edinburgh Napier University.
Now the Chair of the International Fund for Ireland, which supports peace‑building initiatives across Northern Ireland and the border counties, Shona was formally made a Doctor of the University during a ceremony at Edinburgh’s Usher Hall.
She spent nine years leading the Fringe Society, the organisation behind the world’s leading performing arts festival, before stepping down last year.
Shona’s time at the helm saw her navigate the Covid pandemic and secure a new permanent home for Fringe Central, the Society’s home for supporting artists, promoters and the wider festival community.
She became the first woman to hold her current role as Chair of the International Fund for Ireland – appointed by the UK and Irish governments. She is also the Northern Ireland representative on the UK City of Culture Expert Panel, having led Derry-Londonderry’s designation in 2013.
Reacting to her honorary graduation, Shona McCarthy said: “I loved my time in beautiful Edinburgh and all the challenges and joys of the Fringe.
“I continue to champion this extraordinary event and all Edinburgh's Festivals wherever I go.
“I am thrilled to receive this honour from Edinburgh Napier, it was a privilege to work with brilliant colleagues from the University.
“I am such a believer in the powerful connection, community, and all round good for humanity that comes through our festivals and live performance and the wider arts, so being recognised for doing something that I do so wholeheartedly is a huge privilege.”
Presenting her honorary degree, Dr David Jarman from The Business School at Edinburgh Napier University said: “Anyone who witnessed Shona McCarthy launching a Fringe programme, or sitting on an industry conference panel, will have seen the commitment she has to promoting festivals and creative events in Edinburgh and elsewhere. Her energy is infectious.
“Shona can make a case for the value of the arts, and I suspect she does so on a frequent basis to various audiences.
“She is also a standard bearer for culture, as a platform for the expression and discussion of human values.
“Shona has long been supportive of our work at Edinburgh Napier, contributing to research projects, employing students on summer placements, and taking up the role of Visiting Professor while in post as Fringe Society CEO.
“We look forward to continued collaborations with both Shona and the Fringe Society.”
ENU’s summer graduation ceremonies are being held at the Usher Hall between 8-10 July.