Åsa Simma appointed honorary doctor at Stockholm University
Performing artist, director, playwright and activist Åsa Simma is one of the 2025 honorary doctors, who have made an outstanding contribution to the university's research and education.
Åsa Simma. Photo: Anette Nantell
Åsa Simma is a performing artist, director, playwright and activist and has been a leading voice in both the Sami and international performing arts for several decades. With her roots in the Sami culture and language, Åsa Simma has created space for decolonial and indigenous-centered perspectives. Her theatrical works, directing and lectures have given voice to questions of identity, cultural heritage and linguistic justice. Åsa Simma received her performing arts education at Tuukkaq Teater in Denmark, which is the world’s oldest theatre school for indigenous artists. There, she drew inspiration from both Western avant-garde and indigenous forms such as yoik, ritual, shamanism and mythology. Since 2015, Åsa Simma has been CEO and artistic director of Giron Sámi Teáhter.
“Åsa Simma has regularly taught students in theatre studies at Stockholm University, a gesture that contributes to making Sami culture understandable in concrete ways for young people. Her multilingual approach and practice are linked to both ongoing research in the subject and to course development in areas such as dramaturgy. She is a living example of theatre studies’ endeavour to engage in a mutual dialogue with performing artists about the cultural and social significance of the performing arts”, says Dirk Gindt, professor of theatre studies at the Department of Culture and Aesthetics.
The honorary doctorates are conferred at the coming Inauguration and Conferment Ceremony in Stockholm City Hall, Friday 26 September at 17:00.
An honorary doctorate is an expression of the University’s appreciation of outstanding contributions in one or more of the University’s areas of academic activity. The awarded honorary doctor should be affiliated with Stockholm University or have contributed to the University’s activities in some way.
