University of Groningen will award four honorary doctorates during anniversary celebrations

On Friday 24 May 2024 at 3 p.m., the University of Groningen (UG) will award four honorary doctorates in the Academy Building. The recipients of the honorary doctorates are meteorologist Gerrit Hiemstra, Director-General of the World Health Organization (WHO) Dr Tedros Ghebreyesus, Prof. Mariana Mazzucato, and artificial intelligence researcher Dr Kate Crawford.

The awarding of honorary doctorates is part of the UG´s 410th anniversary celebrations, which will include all kinds of activities from 21 till 25 May. The honorary doctorates were selected on the basis of four important UG themes: energy, digitization, sustainability, and public health.

You can follow the award ceremony on 24 May from 3 p.m onwards through the livestream on this web page.

About the recipients

Kate Crawford

Dr Kate Crawford will receive an honorary doctorate because of her exceptional work as an academic in the field of social change and media technology, specifically in the field of artificial intelligence and its impact. Crawford is affiliated with the University of Southern California. Her research appears in leading professional journals. Crawford also wrote for The New York Times, among others. She received various grants and prizes for her work.

Tedros Ghebreyesus

Dr Tedros Ghebreyesus will receive an honorary doctorate because of his exceptional commitment and dedication to combating pandemics such as the coronavirus pandemic as Director-General of the WHO. He has held the position of Director-General since 2017. During the coronavirus crisis, Ghebreyesus became known worldwide and had to navigate between various international interests. He also committed himself to combating other illnesses, including Ebola.

Gerrit Hiemstra

Gerrit Hiemstra will receive an honorary doctorate because of his exceptional achievements as an expert in the field of meteorology, climate change, and the consequences thereof. In the Netherlands, Hiemstra is known as the former weather presenter for the NOS Journaal (Dutch national news). Currently, Hiemstra is the co-owner of Weather Impact, which focuses on innovative solutions in the field of weather and climate. In addition, he is the co-founder of Oarshûs, which facilitates the sustainable construction of houses.

We spoke to Hiemstra on receiving the honorary doctorate. We talked about his fight against disinformation, the importance of good communication and the role of science. Read the interview now.

Mariana Mazzucato

Prof. Mariana Mazzucato will receive an honorary doctorate because of her exceptional achievements as an economist in the field of technological change, the role of the public sector in innovation, and the concept of value in the economy. Mazzucato is a Professor at University College London where she founded the UCL Institute for Innovation and Public Purpose. She offers advice on innovation and sustainable economic growth to policymakers around the world. She has won several prizes and awards for her work.

About honorary doctorates at the UG

The University of Groningen awards honorary doctorates to people who have made an exceptional contribution to society, science, or politics. UG honorary doctorates are symbolized by a traditional burgundy-coloured kappa (cape), to be worn by the honorary doctor. In addition, the new honorary doctor will receive a doctoral diploma with the coat of arms and seal of the University of Groningen.