Dr Alice Thompson
Honorary Doctorate of the University (Hon. DUniv)
Graduation Ceremony: Saturday, 16 October, 2021
Dr Alice Thompson was awarded her honorary degree in recognition of her outstanding contribution to social enterprise.
Dr Alice Thompson was just 21 years old when she co-founded, Social Bite, a chain of cafes including a large corporate catering operation all of which exists to support the homeless community.
Within three years of its launch, the venture had grown to employ over 100 people, a third of which were homeless. Following a commissioned study by Heriot-Watt into Eradicating Core Homelessness in Scotland, Social Bite were able to pioneer new housing policies and social change. Moreover, in demonstrating alternative solutions to the lack of temporary housing, they designed and built the UK's first homeless village, consisting of purposes-built homes with full supporting services that help someone from a situation of homelessness to build an independent life.
Since leaving Social Bite last year, Alice has continued her work as a transformational leader and an ambassador for social enterprise.