Faye McClelland
Faye, who graduated with a degree in physiotherapy from the university last year, is to receive the university's Alumnus Award in recognition of her outstanding sporting achievements and her ongoing support of the university.
The award will be presented (the morning of 13 February) during the university's winter graduation ceremonies at the Brighton Dome on Thursday and Friday next week (13 and 14 February).
Faye, also the reigning European champion, won her fourth paratriathlon world title in as many years as she led home a British one-two-three in London's Hyde Park last September 2013. She was awarded the Tata Steel British Triathlon Female Paratriathlete of the Year and this year she was crowned Disabled Sports Personality of the Year at the 11th annual Sussex Sports Awards.
Ian Stewart
Science writer, science fiction writer and mathematician, Ian Stewart is to receive an honorary Doctor of Science during the ceremonies (afternoon of 13 February).
The Emeritus Professor of mathematics at the University of Warwick will be honoured for his contribution to the public awareness of mathematics and science.
He has written 80 books including The Science of Discworld with Terry Pratchett and science fiction novels including Wheelers and Heaven with Jack Cohen.
Phil Jones
Managing Director of the Brighton-based Wired Sussex, Phil Jones is to receive a Master of Letters (afternoon of 13 February) in recognition of his contribution to the digital media industry and facilitating economic partnerships.
Phil advises a wide number of media companies on digital media activities and manages the agencies' initiatives. He has provided "informed and insightful leadership, locally and nationally, to a sector that has enabled Brighton to become recognised as a hub of creative and digital industry … and has grown Wired Sussex into a major voice for the creative and digital sector locally and nationally".
Phil has had extensive involvement with the university including the development and extension of a student internship scheme across the creative and digital sector. He has supported student engagement with the digital sector via student prizes for computing services, and he has advised the university on curriculum development and on research bids.
The Fuse Box, an innovation space in the soon to be refurbished digital hub at New England House in Brighton, is an example of how he has taken the outcome of University of Brighton research and the best examples of innovative thinking from across the world to build a new approach to learning, developed, led and supported by the industry. Brighton graduates have been amongst the first beneficiaries.
Michael Thomson
Michael Thomson will receive a Doctor of Arts (morning of 14 February) for his major contribution to the field of design.
He was President of the Bureau of European Design Associations (BEDA) from 2007 to 2009 and played a leadership role in successfully lobbying the European Commission to integrate design into its Innovation strategy at the European level. This has subsequently seen the Commission establishing a European Design and Innovation Initiative which has unlocked funding in the order of €8m for seven strategic EU design programmes.
He was a former advisor on the Creative Industries for the Secretary of State for Arts and Media in Austria and in 2008 he was named by Design Week as one of the 50 most influential people in design in the UK. He is a Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts.