Honorary Doctors and Jubilee Doctors
At the conferral ceremony on Friday, 20 May 2022, altogether 13 Honorary Doctors and eight Jubilee Doctors will be conferred.
An Honorary Doctorate is conferred by the university in recognition of the person’s solid scientific merits or substantial contributions in society. The title of Jubilee Doctor is conferred upon those who have earned their doctoral degrees 50 years ago.
Honorary Doctors
The Faculty of Arts, Psychology and Theology will confer an Honorary Doctorate of Philosophy on:
Professor Ulla Connor
Ulla Connor is Professor of English at Indiana University-Purdue University, Indianapolis, USA. She is a distinguished researcher and teacher, and most of all, an inspiring bridge builder, bringing together experts from the academic and business worlds to create synergy and tangible results. Ulla Connor has successfully developed practical applications and popularised the findings of linguistic and rhetoric research. In her studies on health discourse, she has focused on, for example, communications between doctor and patient, and in her role as the Chief Scientific Officer for CoMac Analytics, she has been able to apply her research for the purposes of developing communication tools for healthcare.
Ulla Connor is conferred the title of Honorary Doctor of Philosophy in recognition of her longstanding association with Åbo Akademi University and significant contribution to its international activities.
Choreographer Tiina Lindfors
Tiina Lindfors is a choreographer-dancer and one of the founder members of Dance Theatre ERI. In her innovative artistic work, Tiina Lindfors has often linked various art forms in a boundary-breaking manner and clearly shown the value of cultural and historical awareness, humanistic approach and civilisation. Based on these elements, her activities are characterised by multilingualism and dialogue, as well as an empathetic and meaningful stand for minorities. In addition to her long career as a choreographer, Tiina Lindfors is a highly valued speaker and commentator on issues concerning, among other things, the relevance of art and culture.
Tiina Lindfors is conferred the title of Honorary Doctor of Philosophy in recognition of her longstanding and significant role as a cultural actor, especially locally in Åbo (Turku) and on the national level but also in terms of her extensive international achievements.
The Faculty of Arts, Psychology and Theology will confer an Honorary Doctorate of Theology on:
Professor Daniel Lindmark
Daniel Lindmark is Professor of Church History at Umeå University, Sweden, and Professor of History and Education for the Umeå School of Education at Umeå University. Prominent themes in Daniel Lindmark’s research include popular religion, colonial cultural encounters as well as the culture of reading and books. He has also delved into historical culture and mediation of history, including the religious use of history. The historical development of the northern region has been among his special interests. In recent years, he has been actively engaged in research concerning the reconciliation processes. Over the years, Daniel Lindmark has had close links with Åbo Akademi University, especially in his role as Associate Professor (docent) of Church History.
Daniel Lindmark is conferred the title of Honorary Doctor of Theology in recognition of his extensive research in the fields of cultural history, educational history and church history.
The Faculty of Education and Welfare Studies will confer an Honorary Doctorate of Philosophy (Education) on:
Professor emeritus Hilbert Meyer
Hilbert Meyer is Professor emeritus of Education and Didactics at the Carl von Ossietzky University of Oldenburg, Germany. His main research interests include didactics, teaching methods and school development. Hilbert Meyer’s authorship within the field of pedagogic research and, in particular, didactics has greatly influenced teacher training internationally and especially in the Nordic countries. His dedicated commitment to the Faculty of Education and Welfare studies at Åbo Akademi University spans over two decades.
Hilbert Meyer is conferred the title of Honorary Doctor of Philosophy (Education) in recognition of his contribution to didactics as well as his excellent collaboration with Åbo Akademi University.
Professor emeritus James Cummins
James (Jim) Cummins is Professor emeritus of Education at the University of Toronto, Canada. James Cummins is a pioneer in the educational approach that takes the students’ various linguistic and cultural backgrounds into consideration. He has contributed to the development of qualitative research in this area as well as the curricula for teacher training and basic education in multilingual environments. He is a highly valued researcher on the international front. In his role as a visiting professor for Minority Studies, one of the strategic research profiles of Åbo Akademi University, Jim Cummins has shared his expertise in an exceptionally generous and sympathetic manner.
James Cummins is conferred the title of Honorary Doctor of Philosophy (Education) in recognition of his contribution to the development of education and research in linguistic didactics as well as linguistic and cultural awareness.
Professor Jan Masschelein
Jan Masschelein is Professor of Educational theory and philosophy for the Faculty of Psychology and Educational Sciences at the University of Leuven (KU Leuven), Belgium. Jan Masschelein approaches pedagogy from the perspective of educational philosophy. His well-founded, sometimes surprising and stern ideas about, for example, the future of the university and its pedagogical form are controversial and challenging. The way Jan Masschelein thinks, works and writes jointly with Professor Maarten Simons is exemplary and inspirational. In the Laboratory for Education and Society at KU Leuven, they have jointly established practices that combine critical thinking and everyday life.
Jan Masschelein is conferred the title of Honorary Doctor of Philosophy (Education) in recognition of his scientific contribution within educational sciences and the philosophy of education.
The Faculty of Social Sciences, Business and Economics will confer an Honorary Doctorate of Social Sciences on:
Professor Manfred Nowak
Manfred Nowak is Professor of International Law and Human Rights at the University of Vienna, Austria, and serves as the Secretary General for the Global Campus of Human Rights in Venice, Italy. Manfred Nowak is undeniably one of the leading scholars worldwide within the field of human rights. His publication portfolio is impressive, including many prize-winning publications. He co-founded the prestigious Ludwig Boltzmann Institute of Human Rights and served as its Director from the foundation in 1992 to 2019. Professor Nowak has served the UN in numerous assignments, for example, as UN Special Rapporteur on Torture in 2004–2010. Manfred Nowak has a long history of co-operation with Åbo Akademi University and, in particular, with the Institute for Human Rights at Åbo Akademi University.
Manfred Nowak is conferred the title of Honorary Doctor of Social Sciences in recognition of his tireless advocacy of human rights.
Professor James S. Fishkin
James S. Fishkin holds the Janet M. Peck Chair in International Communication at Stanford University, USA. His model of Deliberative Polling is globally the best known and most widely used method for deliberative citizen discussions. James S. Fishkin has close ties with Åbo Akademi University. He is a member of the Advisory Boards for FutuDem (The Future of Democracy – Center of Excellence in Public Opinion Research) and the newly established Finnish Research Infrastructure for Public Opinion (FIRIPO), which is funded by the Academy of Finland.
James S. Fishkin is conferred the title of Honorary Doctor of Social Sciences in recognition of his groundbreaking research on deliberative democracy.
Professor Maarten Simons
Maarten Simons is Professor of Educational theory and Educational policy at the University of Leuven (KU Leuven), Belgium. Maarten Simons approaches educational phenomena critically, viewing education as part of society – often through the lens of social sciences. His scientific work is innovative and the intended audience of his publications includes researchers representing different disciplines. Maarten Simons’ way of thinking, working and writing is exemplary and inspirational. Through his co-operation with Professor Jan Masschelein, he shows that philosophy and science are produced by shared thinking rather than individual minds.
Maarten Simons is conferred the title of Honorary Doctor of Social Sciences in recognition of his significant contribution to educational theory and educational policy.
The Faculty of Social Sciences, Business and Economics will confer an Honorary Doctorate of Science (Economics and Business Administration) on:
Professor Jill Kickul
Jill Kickul is Professor of Entrepreneurship at the University of Southern California, USA, and Research Director for Brittingham Social Enterprise Lab at the University of Southern California. Jill Kickul is a pioneer and one of the leading scholars worldwide in the field of social entrepreneurship. She is the initiator and founder of the international Annual Conference on Social Entrepreneurship, the largest academic conference in the field. Jill Kickul has published more than 100 scientific articles in the leading entrepreneurship and management journals. Her bestselling book, Understanding Social Entrepreneurship, is included in course literature at over 80 universities around the world. Jill Kickul contributes to Minority Research, which is one of Åbo Akademi University’s priority areas, as well as to studies on diversity in organisations, which is a focal theme within the ÅAU School of Business.
Jill Kickul is conferred the title of Honorary Doctor of Science (Economics and Business Administration) in recognition of her significant contributions within social entrepreneurship.
The Faculty of Science and Technology will confer an Honorary Doctorate of Philosophy on:
Professor Michio Murata
Michio Murata is Professor in the Department of Chemistry at Osaka University, Japan. He was awarded the prestigious ERATO grant of 25 million euro by Japan Science and Technology Agency (JST) and, in 2014, he became a member of the Royal Society in Chemistry, Great Britain. Michio Murata has published 219 articles, many of which jointly with researchers at Åbo Akademi University, as well as 21 review articles, which cover a broad field of topics relevant for Solutions for Health, one of the strategic research profiles of Åbo Akademi University. Michio Murata is engaged in close co-operation with Åbo Akademi University. He has served as a teacher at Åbo Akademi University and an invited speaker at the Winter Schools within the doctoral programme of Information and Structural Biology (ISB). Students and researchers have taken part in several exchange visits to Osaka and Åbo (Turku).
Michio Murata is conferred the title of Honorary Doctor of Philosophy in recognition of his solid scientific input in Chemistry and his commitment to Åbo Akademi University.
Professor Aldo R. Boccaccini
Aldo R. Boccaccini is Head of the Institute of Biomaterials and Chair of Material Science (Biomaterials) at FAU University (Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg), Germany. Aldo R. Boccaccini has published over 1,000 publications. He serves as a member of the Scientific Advisory Board for BioCity Turku and is engaged in close collaboration with Åbo Akademi University. Aldo R. Boccaccini is a leading expert in the field of biomedical materials.
Aldo R. Boccaccini is conferred the title of Honorary Doctor of Philosophy in recognition of his successful research in biomaterials and his collaboration with Åbo Akademi University.
The Faculty of Science and Technology will confer an Honorary Doctorate of Science (Technology) on:
M.Sc.(Tech.), Lic.Sc.(Tech.) Nina Kopola, Director-General
Nina Kopola has been Director-General for Business Finland since 2019. She earned her Master and Licentiate of Science degrees in Technology from Åbo Akademi University, in the field of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry. She has solid experience of chemical research and business management, both of which have been core themes in her international professional career since her initial position as a researcher for Neste Group in 1991–1994. In 2011–2018, Nina Kopola served as President and CEO for Suominen Corporation. In 2000–2011, she held various leading positions at Dynea and, before that, at Neste Chemicals. Nina Kopola has served on numerous company boards and has also published several scientific articles during her research career.
Nina Kopola is conferred the title of Honorary Doctor of Science (Technology) in recognition of her multifaceted career that includes research, product development and leadership.
Jubilee Doctors
The following Jubilee Doctors will be conferred:
| Dag Anckar Jubilee Doctor of Social Sciences  |
Sune Jungar Jubilee Doctor of Philosophy  |
Christer Laurén Jubilee Doctor of Philosophy  |
Caj-Gunnar Lindström Jubilee Doctor of Science (Economy and Business Administration)  |
| Bertil Roslin Jubilee Doctor of Social Sciences
|
Bengt Stenlund Jubilee Doctor of Science (Technology)  |
Erkki Vauramo Jubilee Doctor of Philosophy  |
Kurt Waller Jubilee Doctor of Science (Technology)  |
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