Aarhus University to confer five honorary doctorates
One of the honourees plays a crucial role in the fight against HIV, and another has developed a method of growing vegetables in old mattresses. Aarhus University will confer honorary doctorates on five respected international researchers as part of the annual celebration.
On Friday 13 September, Aarhus University will celebrate its 96th anniversary, and in keeping with tradition, AU will appoint five honorary doctorates on this day – one for each of the five faculties. The honorary doctorates are conferred on eminent researchers from other research institutions with whom Aarhus University has a history of collaboration. The title recognises the recipient’s close connection to the university.
The 2024 honorary doctors are:
Professor Ann Phoenix (Arts)
Professor Ann Phoenix is internationally recognised for her ground-breaking work on social psychology, gender and ethnicity. Her research has contributed to a deeper understanding of how multiple dimensions of identity influence people's lives, including how young people construct their identities in different social and cultural contexts.
Justice of the Supreme Court, former ombudsman Jørgen Steen Sørensen (Aarhus BSS)
Supreme Court Justice Jørgen Steen Sørensen has made a significant contribution to jurisprudence. In addition to his work as ombudsman and judge, he has served as Denmark’s representative on the Venice Commission of the Council of Europe, a member of the Board of Directors of the Nordic Lawyers' Meetings and chairman of the board of Copenhagen Legal Aid.
Professor Sharon Lewin (Health)
Professor Sharon Lewin is an internationally respected infectious diseases researcher who is the inaugural director of the Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity in Melbourne, Australia. Sharon Lewin played an important role in the global response to the Covid-19 pandemic and is president of the International AIDS Society, which has more than 17,000 members worldwide.
Professor Anthony J. Ryan (NAT)
Professor Anthony J. Ryan's pioneering research into polymer chemistry has had a major impact on sustainability. One example of the projects he has engaged in is a UNHCR project to help the 80,000 refugees in the Za'atari camp in Jordan grow their own food in old polyurethane mattresses. The technique is now also used in other camps.
Professor Anne S. Kiremidjian (Tech)
Professor Anne S Kiremidjian has made notable contributions to the field of construction research, with a focus on resilience modelling and risk assessment of earthquakes. Throughout her career, Anne S. Kiremidjian has revolutionised the way we understand and mitigate seismic hazards, and her research has helped protect communities around the world.