Ceremonies

Honorary doctorate ceremony

Bilde av UiBs nye æresdoktorer
Honorary doctorates are the highest honour that the University of Bergen can confer on a person who is not employed by the university. Photo: UiB.no

Aud Jebsen, Richard Sennett, Tia De Nora, Henrik Palmer Olsen, Karl Ove Knausgård, Samah Jabr, Luciano Floridi, Paul Smith, Deryn Fogg and Anna Louise Gloyn have been appointed new honorary doctors at University of Bergen.

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- Through their work, they have made significant contributions to the development of their respective fields, and in different ways they have strengthened our understanding of the importance of research and the arts. These appointments are an expression of the university’s profound recognition of these achievements,” says Rector Margareth Hagen.

The ten new honorary doctors were appointed by the University Board following nominations from the faculties in consultation with the Rector. They will formally receive their honorary doctorates during a ceremony in the University Aula on 21 May 2026 at 1:00 p.m.

Programme:

  • Fanfare Emil Kristoffersen Børøs “Promosjonsfanfare” – processional fanfare, performed by students of The Grieg Academy 

Academic Procession

  • Rector’s speech, Professor Margareth Hagen
     
  • Edvard Grieg: Ved Rondane (op. 33, no. 9) Helen Tyssekvam, sopran – Marie Heddan Kortner, piano

    CONFERMENT OF HONORARY DEGREES
    Vice-rector, Professor Kjell-Morten Myhr: Aud Jebsen
    Vice-rector, Professor Kristoffer Chelsom Vogt: Professor Richard Sennett
    Dean, Faculty of Fine Arts, Music and Design, Professor Åsil Bøthun: Professor Tia DeNora
    Dean, Faculty of Law, Professor Sigrid Eskeland Schütz: Professor Henrik Palmer Olsen
    Dean, Faculty of Humanities, Professor Camilla Brautaset: Karl Ove Knausgård
    Dean, Faculty of Psychology, Professor Stine Lehmann: Dr. Samah Jabr  
    Dean, Faculty of Social Sciences, Professor Synnøve Kristine Nepstad Bendixsen: Professor Luciano Floridi
    Dean, The University Museum, Professor Kari Loe Hjelle: Dr. Paul Smith
    Dean, Faculty of Science and Technology, Professor Gunn Mangerud: Professor Deryn Fogg
    Dean, Faculty of Medicine, Professor Marit Bakke: Professor Anna Louise Gloyn 
     
  • Maurice Ravel: Pièce en forme de Habanera: Ragnhild Sannes, cello – Marie Heddan Kortner, piano
     
  • Greetings from Honorary Doctor, Professor Tia DeNora
     
  • Emil Børø’s “Promosjonsfanfare”

Academic Procession

  • Reception

    Pro-Rector, Professor Sigrunn Eliassen will serve as Master of Ceremonies
     

Honorary Doctors at the University of Bergen

  • An honorary doctorate is awarded without a doctoral thesis or public defence by an institution that has the right to confer doctoral degrees or equivalent qualifications.
  • The first honorary doctorate at the University of Bergen was awarded in 1952.
  • The most recent honorary doctorates at the university were awarded in 2024.
  • Since the first award in 1952, the University of Bergen has now conferred the title of honorary doctor on 151 individuals.
  • An honorary doctorate is a doctoral degree awarded by a university without the recipient having previously defended a dissertation.
  • Such degrees are most often awarded to highly distinguished individuals. Honorary doctorates may also be conferred in recognition of a lifetime’s work of great significance.