The director of Knowle West Media Centre is to receive an honorary degree for her work in the community.

Carolyn Hassan will be conferred with the honour from the faculty of creative arts at the University of West of England (UWE) at a ceremony today in Bristol Cathedral.

Ms Hassan, who was born in Derby, will receive an honorary degree of Doctor of Arts in recognition of her outstanding contribution to community cohesion, social justice and support for schools and colleges in the community. Before her role at Knowle West Media Centre (KWMC), Ms Hassan was a social worker for Bristol City Council child care and mental health services and became an advisor at the Watershed Media Centre, as well as a visiting lecturer at UWE.

In 1995 she returned to the University of Westminster to complete an MA in photographic arts and started work in Knowle West as resident artist, exploring the relationship between art and wellbeing.

In 2002 she set up the media centre charity and in 2008 oversaw the completion of a new centre in Knowle West.

KWMC has won several awards including the Bristol Civic Society's Environmental Award and the Queen's Award for Voluntary Service.

Composer and explorer David Fanshawe will also receive an honorary degree for his outstanding contribution to bringing music from around the world into the lives of people who neither read nor write music.