Former Scotland on Sunday journalist Dorothy-Grace Elder has been appointed honorary professor at The Robert Gordon University in Aberdeen.

Dorothy, a former Member of the Scottish Parliament who also worked on The Herald, lectures in investigative journalism at the university, which says her appointment is part of the development of the university’s creative industries programme.

During her career Dorothy has exposed numerous injustices and scandals, from tracking down paedophiles in Scotland, to highlighting appalling conditions in Russian prisons.

One of her campaigns during her time with Scotland on Sunday resulted in the “sardine specials”; the overcrowded old trains running from Aberdeen to Glasgow, being replaced in 2000 with £30m worth of today’s Turbostars.

Professor Michael Pittilo, principal and vice-chancellor, said: “This professorship is in recognition of Elder’s varied and extensive contribution over many years to the Scottish media, in particular in terms of personal commitment to excellence in investigative journalism.”

Dorothy said: “The standard reached by communications students at RGU is hugely impressive, showing journalism training is going up, not down.”