Doctor, doctor

On the DG campaign trail, Helen Boaden will be on stage at The Dome in Brighton this week, receiving an honorary degree from the University of Brighton.  Helen is a graduate of the University of Sussex, but since university has followed her old English literature tutor, Professor Stuart Laing, to help with media studies at the upstart.

These occasions have risks - whilst it gives you a platform to be inspiring, you also have to dress up. And watch out for fellow honorees. Helen may well be upstaged by Hove's own Nick Cave, who's also getting a new cap and gown. Nick already has an honorary doctorate from Monash University; one presumes the great and good of the South Coast have now forgiven him for pranging a speed camera in 2010.