‘An Honour and a True Gift and Privilege’: Alanis Morissette Receives Honourary PhD From University of Ottawa

Alanis Morissette is now the proud owner of an honourary doctorate.

Last week, the Canadian singer-songwriter was awarded an honourary PhD from the University of Ottawa.

In an Instagram post, the university shared photos of Morissette wearing a graduation robe. "This distinction highlights her exceptional music career and her commitment to women’s empowerment as well as physical, psychological and spiritual integrity,” they wrote. “For over 30 years, she has been one of the world’s brightest stars for her timeless and original work. Congratulations, Alanis!”

While the doctorate celebrated the Ottawa-native's long-standing music career, the university also highlighted what Morissette has done outside of music, as a lifelong activist and advocate focusing on addiction and trauma recovery.

The “Not The Doctor” singer expressed immense gratitude for the doctorate on her personal Instagram page, sharing that the PhD marks “the decades of study and research and clinical trainings and channeling and obsession about our human condition(s).”

“An honor and a true gift and privilege. 🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻🥹🥹🥹🥹,” she wrote.

The accolade is another notch in Morrissette’s already-eventual year. In June, she made her debut at Glastonbury, calling it a “bucket list” achievement, and was nominated for the 2025 Songwriters Hall of Fame in the Performing Songwriters category. In October, she'll embark on an eight-date Las Vegas residency at Caesars Palace.

Last year, Morrissette was the first-ever Billboard Canada Women in Music Icon Award winner, which honoured her as one of the country’s all-time greatest artists.