UNSW Dean of Medicine Professor Rodney Phillips has been awarded an honorary doctorate by the University of Liverpool in recognition of his leadership and contribution to tropical medicine, global health and infection disease.

"Rodney’s guidance and encouragement has been important to our own institution," the university's citation reads. 

"For the last 15 years he has been a supporter of Liverpool's efforts to strengthen its international work, in particular as an advisor to the Wellcome Trust Tropical Centre, a collaborative venture between the University of Liverpool and the Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine.

"Over the last four years he has been one of the greatest allies of the Institute of Infection and Global Health. He gave valuable advice on the mission and strategy of the Institute, and has been an external advisor, sitting on interview panels for all senior appointments. He also chairs the Institute's External Advisory Panel, which continues to play a crucial role in guiding the Institute as it develops."

Since the inception of the University of Liverpool’s strategic program, the stature of the institution against international measures has improved dramatically. It is now ranked as one of the top higher education institutions in the world.

Rodney Phillips

Professor Tom Solomon, Director of the University’s Institute of Infection and Global Health (left), who nominated Professor Phillips for his Honorary Degree. Photo: supplied.

“I am profoundly honoured to be awarded this Honorary Degree of Doctor of Science,” Professor Phillips said.

“The experience I gained in a long sojourn at Oxford and in this role at the University of Liverpool has proved excellent preparation for the strategic planning and implementation work which we now conducting at UNSW.”

Professor Phillips was one of nine figures to be awarded honorary degrees by the university. Others included TV classicist, Professor Mary Beard, painter and sculptor, Tom Murphy and Chief Executive of the Howard League for Penal Reform, Frances Crook.

Previous recipients of this degree include Sir Winston Churchill and Sir Paul Nurse, past President of the Royal Society.