Former Simpsons writer to be awarded honorary doctorate
Tuesday 5 July 2016
Former Simpsons writer Josh Weinstein will be launching his mortarboard higher than ‘Mt. Springfield’ later this month, when he receives an Honorary Doctorate of Arts from the University of Salford.
This accolade comes in recognition of Josh’s outstanding contribution and achievements in television as a well-known American TV writer and producer.
Fresh from his student days at Stanford University, Josh first began his creative media career working on a number of short-term projects such as the variety show ‘Sunday Best’. This was before he, and best friend Bill Oakley, had their big break writing for comedy cartoon show “The Simpsons”, after their first script “Marge Gets a Job” (S4 eps 7) was given the seal of approval.
Hired by the show on a permanent basis in 1992, Josh went on to write a number of successful episodes for the town of Springfield, including the enthralling “Who Shot Mr. Burns?”, before he was later appointed as an executive producer of the show, collecting three Emmy Awards for his work.
His work on the hugely popular science-fiction sitcom, Futurama, earned him a fourth Emmy in 2011 and another project, CBBC’s Strange Hill High - created in Altrincham - he cites as being “the best project” he has ever worked on.
Josh has worked closely with the University of Salford’s School of Arts and Media since 2013, having been involved in the School’s annual Salford International Media Festival.
Josh was recently announced as the festival’s Patron and as such, he now promotes the University on various international platforms, helping to develop partnerships, recruitment, enterprise and industry support on both sides of the Atlantic.
Josh has said: “The University of Salford is driving forward the next generation of our creative talent. Disney, for example, has a School of Animation, where some of the best animators have received their training. I think we could have something similar here, so don’t go to LA – stay here.”
Director of Conversion at the University of Salford, Beth Hewitt, who nominated Josh for his honorary doctorate, said: “Josh Weinstein’s passion, energy and commitment to the University and its students are impressive. His work to promote Salford and Manchester in the States is helping to make substantial links with industry practitioners over in LA and NY.”
Find out more
Liam McCallion
0161 295 4779
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