Research in focus when the university filled the City Hall
Education and knowledge were celebrated in the Stockholm City Hall at the end of September when the university celebrated newly graduated doctors and new professors at the annual Inauguration and conferment ceremony. During the evening, jubilee doctors and honorary doctors were conferred, and the Award for Good Teaching and the University’s large gold medal was awarded.
The 2023 ceremony took place on Friday 29 September and gathered around thousand invited guests in the City Hall. In her opening speech President Astrid Söderbergh Widding said that it was a little extra festive to be in the City Hall this year as it is also the centennial jubilee for the building.
“I would therefore like to take this opportunity to express my gratitude to the City of Stockholm for opening the City Hall on so many important occasions for the citizens of Stockholm, not least the ceremonies arranged by universities in Stockholm.”
In her speech the President recalled the University’s role to be a driving force in the growth of new knowledge through free research and higher education, and in the forming of our future society. She said that the core values that Stockholm University have identified; knowledge, enlightenment and truth-seeking, along with the fundamental values of autonomy and academic freedom as established in the Magna Charta Universitatum, acquire a particular significance and gravity in these times of societal turbulence when the legitimacy of science is often called into question.
“At the same time, we find ourselves at a critical moment where research and higher education have significant possibilities to contribute in a decisive way to future development.”
Looking back at the past year she highlighted the collaboration within the university alliance Stockholm Trio, and the fact that Karolinska Institutet, KTH and Stockholm University have launched a new common master’s programme within Biostatistics and Data Science. She also mentioned the task, for the second year, of organising the Ukrainian university entrance exam for Ukrainian prospective students in Sweden.
“In the current situation it is difficult to imagine a more meaningful commission than this.”
Astrid Söderbergh Widding also mentioned that the universities have been given the opportunity to provide input to the next research bill which is an important opportunity to present the university perspective.
“In this time of great challenges related to climate and the environment, geopolitics and security, democracy and freedom of speech – the list could go on – we also see especially clearly the importance of the unique role we have as a university.”
158 new doctors participated
During the ceremony, 158 new doctors were conferred. During the period 1 July 2022–30 June 2023 they have defended their theses and received their doctoral degrees at Stockholm University. Also 35 new professors who took up their duties the same period were installed.
39 jubilee doctors were conferred, of which 16 in absentia. The jubilee doctors received their doctoral degrees at Stockholm University 50 years ago.
The processes behind biodiversity
The inaugural lecture was given by Love Dalén, professor of evolutionary genomics at the Department of Zoology. He talked about how prehistoric DNA can provide new knowledge about the diversity of life and biodiversity, with examples from his work at the Centre for Palaeogenetics that gathers researchers in Stockholm working on ancient DNA.
“We can now work alongside some of the world’s leading researchers in archaeogenetics, experts on sedimentary DNA, and specialists in computational genetics. This mix of interdisciplinary skills creates particularly exciting synergies and has taken our research in new directions.”
Many of the studies that the center undertake start with field work, often in the Arctic, to collect samples found in the permafrost, he explained.
“One of the things that interests me the most is how the diversity that we see all around us in nature has arisen. In my research group we study a wide range of organisms, and we frequently employ palaeogenetic methods to sequence DNA from old bones and teeth.”
One project is focused on the evolution of the mammoth and to study this they sequence the mammoth’s genome. They have also studied mammoth speciation and how the woolly mammoth became extinct.
“This can teach us something about threatened species today. Now that we have this knowledge, hopefully we can take measures and develop new methods to counteract the effects of genetic diseases”, said Love Dalén.
Two teachers received the Award for Good Teaching
The Award for Good Teaching was awarded during the evening to recognize good pedagogical efforts and their importance for students’ learning. The 2023 award winners are Jordi Solsona Belenguer at the Department of Computer and Systems Sciences, and Maja Torres Madzar at the Department of Teaching and Learning.
Ten honorary doctors were conferred
Ten honorary doctorates were conferred, all of whom have contributed in distinctive ways to the University’s activities in research and education. The honorary doctors are Jim Albrecht, Ian Brooks, Richard Dyer, Jan Ellenberg, Janet Gornick, Birke Häcker, Susanne Ljung, Peter Sarnak, Janet M. Thornton och Susan Vroman.
The large gold medal to Robert Weil
Stockholm University’s large gold medal 2023 was awarded to Robert Weil, financier, businessman and patron of the art and culture. The large gold medal is awarded to those who have significantly and over a long period of time worked to promote the university, its research or its teaching. At Stockholm University Robert Weil is one of the founders and central donors to the exhibition space Accelerator – a meeting space at the university for arts, sciences, and social issues.
The motivation reads:
“Stockholm University has with joy and gratitude entered into the work of developing this important collaborative arena. However now, when Robert Weil is honoured with Stockholm University’s large gold medal, it is primarily not due to his economic donations, however welcome and important they are, and critical to the creation of Accelerator. Rather, he is awarded this distinction for his vision of the University as having an indispensable role in the world and providing a vital contribution to societal development.”
The ceremony was followed by a banquet in the Golden Hall. The entertainment during the evening was provided by the Brass Ensemble at the Royal College of Music, Stockholm University of the Arts/Opera, and the Stockholm Academic Male Chorus.
Last updated: October 3, 2023
Source: Communications Office