On stage at the launch of the the film Suffragette alongside Helen Pankhurst.

Speaking at  the student Union at University of Manchester.

Speaking to 600 trainee teachers at University Place at University of  Manchester

With BBC Philarmonic in Salford for  ten pieces live lessons:  The  BBC’s best ever music education initiative.
Keynote at Digital Manchester conference
Speaking with students and arts workers at Islington Arts and media College
Speaking at North West Schools Led Conference for head teachers

Speaking at ADHD conference in Liverpool with Rory Bremner
Speaking in The Clore Ballroom at  Southbank Centre with Jude Kelly CBE for The WHY Festival at Southbank Centre
Reading poems at a literature festival in Rotterdam
Delivering a TEdX talk at Addis Ababa University 
Attending my first graduation ceremony as  Chancellor at University of Manchester.
Launching public art poem “Let There Be Peace”  at The British Council in Addis Ababa.

These are only a few of the events I have taken part in since

I became  Chancellor at University of Manchester 100 days ago.

So what’s happened in 100 days besides the aforementioned? Firstly and uniquely  I was awarded  an honorary doctorate.

The citation for the doctorate was read by professor Jeanette Winterson. Here I am sat in front of Jeanette.   I am sat to the right of  President and Vice Chancellor Dame Nancy Rothwell with  Dr Joan Bakewell to my right.
Ambassador Berhanu for Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia  came to the Ceremony.

Then a few days later I flew to  The library of Congress in The United States of America.
Where I read for an audience which included HIH Prince Ermias Sahle Selasie.

In December I returned to the United States to Capitol Hill to meet  member of Congress  Chris Van Hollen of Maryland’s 8th district.

Where I was honoured and presented with a citation
I received a Resolution and Commendation  from Member of Congress Michael M Honda of 17th District California

At my reading in Takoma  I was received by Kate Stewart the new Mayor of Takoma Park.

It’s still my first 100 days. I’m writing this blog  from Ethiopia where I share special guest status with  actor, and Miss France 2000,  Sonia Rolland.  We are here to support charity fashion gala in aid of  ECF childrens fund.  Many of the children are orphans. We visited the school.

The Gala is Fashion. Fashion changes society through vision.   The designers, the models, the set designers, the make up artists, the organisers…. everyone involved is dedicated to raising money for these children. All of Addis Ababa society turned out.
  The gala is run by ex model and philanthropist Anna Getaneh.This year was the 20th anniversary of ECF Childrens Fund.
At the auction this green jacket (donated by naked ape)  was auctioned for 30,000.  The woman next to me is Maya Haile . The dress she wore was auctioned at 70,000 birr. Approximately 250,000 was raised for ECF that night.

I met with  Foreign Minister for The Federal Republic of Ethiopia  Tedros Adhanom.  Ethiopia has expanded its university program. 25 years ago Ethiopia had 10 Universities   Now there are 34. 10  more will be opening in the next 5 years.It was an honour to share the latest University of Manchester Magazine with the Foreign Minister.
University of Manchester has many links with Ethiopia.   Sylvia Pankhurst is buried in Ethiopia. Her son Dr Richard Pankhurst lives in Ethiopia. The news broke on the 100th day: By popular vote   Manchester’s first statue of a woman in 100 years is Emmeline Pankhurst.  Below Professor Richard Pankhurst at his home in Addis.

Seven weeks after my chancellorship I spearheaded a campaign to raise money for  Christmas Dinners for care leavers.  We raised £45,000 in forty days.
University of Manchester were kind enough to donate The Chancellors Hotel and much more  to the young care leavers of the North West.I can say with pride that  I spent  Christmas day at University of Manchester.
can inspire and be inspired by this incredible revolutionary university led by president and vice chancellor Dame Nancy Rothwell
I am lifted by the graduands. These inspirational moments give me great pride.

In 100 days  I have performed in front of thousands and broadcast to millions.  I’ve written articles for national newspapers and inspired exhibitions.   My desert Island discs became pick of The Year for BBC radio 4 . My BBC North West TV program on 50th anniversary of The Race Relations Act – Race Apart  – gives me great pride as a member of University of Manchester.  My work on Ten Pieces has been ordered by three quarters of all the secondary schools in Britain.  There is more.

Yet most of these events are not official university of Manchester appointments.  My role as Chancellor is ceremonial. 100 days have gone and I’ve loved every minute. My only regret is that I can’t get themback.