Seb Schmoller, Chief Executive of the Association for Learning Technology (ALT), says, "ALT awards Honorary Life Memberships only occasionally, and only to individuals who have made an outstanding and sustained contribution to the advancement of ALT's aims for the development of learning technology in a national or international context through research, practice, policy-development, leadership, or a combination of these. During his long career at the Open University and subsequently, David's contribution has comprehensively spanned all four areas, both nationally and internationally."

Professor Hawkridge is only the third recipient of the honour and received his award at the Association's annual conference held in September. After working at the American Institutes for Research in Palo Alto, California, he became founding Director of the Open University's Institute of Educational Technology. While at the Open University, he directed research and development and led the effort to establish the OU's international MA in Open and Distance Education, which is now an online program.

Hawkridge has also advised universities and governments in many countries on educational technology and distance education. He is an Emeritus Professor of The Open University and a Visiting Professor in the Beyond Distance Research Alliance at the University of Leicester. His research publications cross the disciplines of education, the psychology of learning, learning technologies, and media.

Professor Hawkridge commented, "I really appreciate what ALT has done in making me an Honorary Life Member because it will enable me to keep in touch with current research even better. When Jonathan Darby and others founded ALT, I was an early joiner, and I'm very happy to have this strong, ongoing connection with hundreds of colleagues here and abroad. I hope to be able to put something back into ALT, too."