Dr S Chelvan Awarded Honorary Doctorate from the Open University

The Open University has awarded an Honorary Doctorate (DUniv) to Dr S Chelvan, currently Adjunct Professor at Southampton Law School. The award ceremony was held at the Lighthouse on 19 November 2024 in Poole, Dorset.

Dr Chelvan practices from 33 Bedford Row Chambers, where he joined as Head of Immigration and Public Law in November 2020.

The Open University award of an Honourary Doctorate is in recognition of Dr Chelvan's "services to the educationally underprivileged. ... [N]ominated for this award as a result of [his] exceptional efforts to improve the welfare of LGBTQ+ people seeking asylum in the UK and from [his] research into refugee law based on gender and sexual identity. [Dr Chelvan's] works sits well with the ethos of the Open University here in the UK, where we are known for our innovation, flexibility, accessibility and social justice mission."

Dr Chelvan is recognised by the legal profession as the pre-eminent legal expert on LGBT asylum law in the UK. Dr Chelvan’s work demonstrates his commitment to the rule of law and to promoting the rights and welfare of some of the most marginalised members of our society.

Chelvan's acceptance speech can be viewed here: https://t.co/3Q3yyWTi4x

Congratulations Chelvan!