A charity founder and gender-based violence campaigner, and an international lawyer and diplomat will receive honorary degrees from the University of Aberdeen as part of the winter graduations.
Fiona Drouet (MBE) is a nationally recognised campaigner and charity leader, who has dedicated her life to transforming how educational institutions respond to gender-based violence (GBV).
Following the tragic loss of her 18-year-old daughter Emily in 2016 - a law student at the University who took her own life after a sustained campaign of abuse by a fellow student - Fiona founded EmilyTest. EmilyTest is a pioneering Scottish charity that works to improve safety and support for students affected by GBV across colleges and universities. Under her leadership, EmilyTest developed the GBV Charter for Colleges and Universities, the first of its kind globally, now adopted by institutions across Scotland. The University of Aberdeen was awarded the EmilyTest Charter in 2024 for its own outstanding commitment to gender-based violence (GBV) prevention, intervention, and support.
Fiona continues to work closely with the Scottish Government, Police Scotland, trade unions and education leaders to embed systemic change and raise awareness of abuse, coercion, and mental health impacts in academic settings. Her advocacy efforts have earned her widespread recognition and she was made a Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) in the 2020 Queen’s Birthday Honours for her services to education and gender-based violence prevention.
Fiona will be honoured with a Doctor of the University (DUniv) on Wednesday 26 November.
Her Excellency Ambassador Rena Lee will receive a Doctor of Laws (LLD) on Thursday 27 November.
Rena is a distinguished international lawyer, diplomat and public servant with over three decades of experience in global legal affairs.
Rena is Singapore’s Ambassador for International Law. As Ambassador for Oceans and Law of the Sea Issues and Special Envoy of the Minister for Foreign Affairs, she was elected President of the United Nations Intergovernmental Conference for an agreement under the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea on marine biodiversity (BBNJ Agreement). She successfully guided complex negotiations involving 193 nations toward this landmark international agreement which will enter into force in January 2026.
Her expertise spans a wide range of public international law, including environmental and climate change law, humanitarian and human rights law, and law of the sea. She has represented Singapore in various international forums and is a member of the Permanent Court of Arbitration.
A graduate of the National University of Singapore, Rena was named one of Time Magazine’s 100 Most Influential People in 2024 in recognition of her diplomatic achievements and global impact.
Professor Peter Edwards, Principal and Vice-Chancellor of the University of Aberdeen, said: “The University of Aberdeen bestows honorary degrees on exceptional individuals whose leadership and achievements have made a transformative impact on communities locally and around the world.
“Both Fiona Drouet and Rena Lee have had an immeasurable impact in their respective fields, and we look forward to presenting them with their honorary degrees at our ceremonies this week.”
Nick Edwards, Director of People (Interim) at the University of Aberdeen, said: "It's been my pleasure to work with Fiona and her team over the past seven years to develop and enhance our approach to GBV. Her personal commitment to the University, and Emily's legacy in Aberdeen, is something I'm especially grateful for and I will forever be thankful to her for her friendship and kindness to the University."
Fiona Drouet said: “I am very honoured to receive this honorary doctorate from the University of Aberdeen. Since losing Emily, we have worked closely with the university to help ensure that what happened to our daughter never happens to any other student. Working with our colleagues at the university, who share our determination for meaningful change, has strengthened our efforts not only here, but across the country and beyond.
“The dream was always, and will always be, for Emily to have graduated from this university herself and to be living a life filled with love, happiness and possibility. We know she would have grown into a wonderful young woman who would make a real and lasting difference in this world. She is making that difference now, but our hearts ache for her to be here to see it.
“I dedicate this honour to our wonderful, kind, loving and beautiful little girl who lit up our lives, and now lights up the lives of others through her legacy of creating a kinder and safer world.”