33 Bedford Row’s Head of Immigration and Public Law, Dr S Chelvan, has been awarded an Honorary Doctorate by the Open University, in recognition of his services with the educationally underprivileged, commitment to the rule of law, and social justice. The award ceremony was held at The Lighthouse, in Poole, Dorset.
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. We are delighted to honour his commitment to the rule of law and to promoting the rights and welfare of some of the most marginalised members of our society.
Professor Hugh McFaul, Head of the Law School at the Open University spoke about the national and international impact Chelvan’s work on LGBTQ+ refugees had as a barrister, an academic, policy-advisor and self-identified activist lawyer. Chelvan in his reply spoke about his commitment to the ‘Right to Love’, sharing both his personal and professional lived experience, rallying the graduates at the ceremony to use their soft power, their knowledge and their difference, wisely, as we all have the power to be change-makers.
Watch the video clip below of both speeches made available by the Open University.
Pro Chancellor Professor Kevin Shakesheef presented Dr Chelvan with the award.
Chelvan holds a first in Politics and Law from Southampton University, where he currently lectures on LLM seminars on Contemporary Refugee Law, and International Law, Globalisation had the Individual since 2023, having been appointed an Adjunct Professor in 2022. Chelvan was called to the Bar by Inner Temple in October 1999, having been awarded a Major Scholarship by the Inn in 1998. Chelvan was awarded a scholarship for a Visitjng Research Fellowship by the Centre for International Human Rights at Northwestern University in the Summer of 2000. He holds an LL.M from Harvard Law School, having been awarded a Kennedy Memorial Trust Scholarship (2000-2001). In June 2019, Chelvan was awarded his PhD in Law (research) by King’s College London, for a thesis entitled (short title) “At the End of the Rainbow - where next for the Queer Refugee?”.
Sandip Patel KC, Joint Head of Chambers has said. “[W]e are immensely proud of Dr. S Chelvan for receiving an Honorary Doctorate from the Open University. This prestigious recognition reflects his extraordinary contributions to LGBTQ+ asylum law, his dedication to social justice, and his tireless advocacy for the most marginalised. Dr. Chelvan’s work embodies the values of 33 Bedford Row, and his impact on refugee law, policy, and the lives of countless individuals is truly inspiring. Congratulations on this well-deserved honour.”