Stockholm university

Long-awaited ceremony can finally be held

On 31 May, it’s time: After a break due to the pandemic, the 2020 Inauguration and conferment ceremony can finally be held in the Stockholm City Hall. At the ceremony, attention is paid to both new doctors and new professors at Stockholm University.

Conferment ceremony in the Stockholm City Hall
The 2020 Inauguration and conferment ceremony will be held in the Stockholm City Hall on 31 May. Photo: Ingmarie Andersson/Stockholm University


The professorial inauguration and the conferment of doctoral degrees are the foremost among the common academic traditions at universities and higher education institutions in Sweden. Both date from the Middle Ages. The traditional Inauguration and conferment ceremony is normally held in City Hall once a year. Due to the pandemic, the ceremony has been postponed from September 2020, but can now finally be carried out.

“The purpose of the ceremonies is primarily to honor and pay tribute to our deserving researchers and teachers. In addition, this celebration is an occasion when the entire university’s achievements, at all faculties, are made visible”, says Anne Heikkinen Sandberg, master of ceremonies at Stockholm University.

During the ceremony in the City Hall, those who have defended their dissertations and received their doctoral degrees at the University during 2019-2020 will be conferred. 

 

111 new doctors will take part 

On 31 May, 111 new doctors will take part in the celebration. In addition, 35 new professors will be installed. During the evening, jubilee doctors will also be conferred, in other words those who received their doctoral degrees at Stockholm University 50 years ago, and the Pedagogical Prize for Good Teaching will be awarded.

The inaugural lecture will be given by Pernilla Leviner, professor of public law with a special focus on social law and children’s law. Stockholm Academic Male Chorus, Royal College of Music and the University College of Opera are responsible for the entertainment during the evening and the ceremony is followed by a banquet in the Golden Hall.

The ceremony will take place at 17.00 – 19.30 on Tuesday 31 May in Stockholm City Hall. It is broadcast live here.

 

Two ceremonies at the end of September

In 2022, two conferment ceremonies will also be arranged at the end of September. The 2021 ceremony will be held on Thursday 29 September and the 2022 on Friday 30 September.