Young Vic artistic director David Lan has been awarded an Honorary Doctorate of Literature for Services to Education and Theatre from London South Bank University (LSBU). At a ceremony at Southwark Cathedral on Wednesday 18 November, the degree was conferred by LSBU Chancellor Trevor McDonald.

The citation outlined David’s work ‘transforming the Young Vic into one of the country’s most dynamic and exciting theatres.’ In particular, it praised his desire to make theatre accessible to wider audiences, his commitment to supporting and encouraging new talent - especially through the Young Vic’s work with young directors - and his role overseeing the ‘triumphant’ rebuild of the theatre.

Each year a small number of outstanding individuals are presented with LSBU Honorary Degrees for their exceptional contributions to education or society. Past recipients include Michael Caine, Reverend Desmond Tutu, Zoe Wanamaker and Tessa Sanderson CBE.

David Lan has been at the helm of the Young Vic for nearly 10 years in which time he has established the Genesis Directors Project, the Jerwood Directors Award and the Young Vic Award. He was introduced at the ceremony as ‘playwright, film maker, doctor of social anthropology, director and now leader of one of the country’s most dynamic theatres.’

Of his work at the Young Vic David has said: ‘I want to create an environment where people can discover themselves as artists and where established artists can do things they can’t do anywhere else’.

As a writer, his work includes the plays: Painting a Wall, Bird Child, The Winter Dancers, Red Earth, Sergeant Ola, Flight, Desire and The Ends of the Earth as well as English versions of works by Euripides, Verga, Sobol and Chekhov. He has written two opera libretti: Tobias and the Angel and Ion and was Royal Court Writer in Residence from 1995 – 1997. His anthropological study Guns and Rain: Guerrillas and Spirit Mediums in Zimbabwe is considered a key text. David has also written a number of films and drama documentaries for the BBC including Sunday Judge, Dark City and Welcome Home Comrades. His work as a director includes: 'Tis Pity She’s a Whore, Doctor Faustus, As You Like It, A Raisin in the Sun, Julius Caesar, The Daughter-in-Law and The Skin of Our Teeth. He won an Olivier Award for the 2004 Young Vic season.