Doctoral Conferral Ceremony at Åbo Akademi University in May 2025
28.02.2025Honorary Doctors at Åbo Akademi University
An honorary doctorate is an award granted by the university to recognize outstanding contributions within its fields of activity. This may include scientific achievements, the promotion of research, or other significant contributions that support the university’s mission and operations. Honorary doctors have often made notable scientific contributions, advanced research at the university, or otherwise contributed to its development and success.
Honorary doctors at Åbo Akademi University are appointed by the faculties, and the title is the highest distinction a faculty can confer.
The honorary doctor personally receives the award during the doctoral conferral ceremony, including the doctoral hat and insignia, which symbolize the distinction.
During the ceremony, honorary doctors are conferred alongside jubilee doctors and promovendi (graduating doctors).
…
Honorary Doctors and Jubilee Doctors
At the conferral ceremony on Friday, 23 May 2025, 14 Honorary Doctors and eight Jubilee Doctors will be conferred.
An Honorary Doctorate is conferred by the university in recognition of the person’s solid scientific merits or substantial contributions in society. The title of Jubilee Doctor is conferred upon those who have earned their doctoral degrees 50 years ago
Honorary Doctors
The Faculty of Arts, Psychology and Theology will confer an Honorary Doctorate of Philosophy on:
Stina Ekblad, actress
Stina Ekblad is a versatile actress with a long and successful career. She studied at Odense Teaters Elevskole in Denmark from 1972 to 1975 and began her professional career at Stockholm City Theatre in 1980.
In 1987, she joined Dramaten, where she has spent most of her career, performing in numerous roles. Her most recent role at Dramaten was as Queen Hecuba in Euripides’ The Trojan Women. Ekblad also regularly performs in theatre productions in Denmark. Beyond theatre, she has appeared in numerous radio, television and film productions and has received multiple awards, including a Guldbagge Award for Best Actress in a Leading Role.
Ekblad is also active in poetry recitation, often collaborating with musicians. She has compiled a poetry collection featuring classic Swedish verse and, in 2020, published her memoir “Här brusar strömmen förbi”, based on poems that have been significant to her. She has also held a professorship in text interpretation at the Swedish National Academy of Mime and Acting (2002–2006).
Stina Ekblad is conferred with an honorary doctorate in recognition of her mastery of text interpretation and her role as both a prominent advocate for cultural values and an important representative of the Finland-Swedish community.
Pia Ingström, Sociologist, Lic.Phil., Cultural Journalist, Critic and Writer
Pia Ingström is an award-winning Finland-Swedish author, journalist and cultural critic, known for her engagement in social debate and her reflective work on identity and culture. For more than two decades, she worked as a cultural editor at Hufvudstadsbladet, where she was responsible for the newspaper’s literary coverage. She has distinguished herself as a prominent critic and has worked to make Finland-Swedish literature more visible and engaging for readers by placing it in a broader context of Finnish, Swedish and international literature. She has also advocated for children’s and young adult literature to receive the recognition and professional critique it deserves.
Ingström made her literary début in 2007 and has published several books, many of which have been translated into Finnish. In addition to her writing, she has served as a jury member for various literary prizes, including the Finlandia Prize, the Runeberg Prize and the Nordic Council Literature Prize. Since March 2022, Ingström has been retired from Hufvudstadsbladet but remains active as a freelance critic. Her work has left a lasting impact on Finland-Swedish literature and cultural journalism.
Pia Ingström is conferred with an honorary doctorate in recognition of her dedication to literary criticism, essay writing and social debate, particularly for her ability to communicate these issues to the wider public with a strong foundation in literary scholarship.
Jérôme Remy, Artistic Director
Jérôme Rémy, Artistic Director, studied literature, film and theatre at the University of Caen and began working in programme planning for the Les Boréales festival in 1994. This festival is Europe’s leading event for Nordic culture. Initially founded as a literary festival, it has since evolved into a broad, interdisciplinary cultural event. Each November, it hosts around 200 events and attracts approximately 50,000 visitors. In 2024, Finland was the festival’s main theme, showcasing authors such as Sofi Oksanen, Jukka Viikilä and Pajtim Statovci. Under his leadership, Les Boréales has grown into Europe’s largest event for contemporary Nordic art and literature, with significant influence both in France and internationally.
Rémy is awarded an honorary doctorate in recognition of his work in bringing Nordic culture to France, where it is frequently seen as both exotic and unfamiliar.
The Faculty of Education and Welfare Studies will confer an Honorary Doctorate of Philosophy (Education) on:
Lee Esselström, Master of Philosophy, Handicraft Expert, Designer and Teacher
Lee Esselström is a versatile handicraft expert, designer and teacher with over 20 years of experience in handicrafts, design and education. She holds a Master of Philosophy degree in Art History from Åbo Akademi University. Esselström has worked as a TV host and editor for Swedish Yle’s lifestyle programme Strömsö, where she has created hundreds of handicraft tutorials and instructional videos. She has gained national and international recognition for her work in sustainability and traditional handicraft techniques. Esselström designed the popular Strömsö sweater, whose pattern has been downloaded more than two million times. She has also authored books and received numerous awards, particularly for her contributions to social media and her work throughout the pandemic. Through her work, she has helped preserve and develop traditional handicraft techniques while also creating new trends. She currently works as a props master and set designer at Wasa Theatre and in non-formal adult education in Finland.
Lee Esselström is conferred with an honorary doctorate in recognition of her long-standing, extensive and, in many ways, ground-breaking contributions as an inspirer, educator and cultural practitioner in the field of arts and crafts.
Stefan Hopmann, PhD in Education, Professor at the Institut für Bildungswissenschaft, Vienna
Professor Stefan Hopmann is an internationally renowned researcher in didactics and curriculum studies. He has played a key role in bridging different educational theories and has significantly influenced educational discourse and practice both within and beyond Europe. One of his most notable contributions is the international research programme “Didactic Meets Curriculum”, initiated in the 1990s to foster global dialogue between German, Nordic and North American educational traditions.
In his approach to didactics, Hopmann emphasises the concept of restrained teaching, highlighting the importance of Bildung, the distinction between a subject’s content and its deeper meaning, and the autonomy of teaching and learning. As a long-time editor of the Journal of Curriculum Studies, he has actively promoted international and intercultural dialogue in educational research. He has held professorships in Germany, Norway and Austria, and since the 1990s, he has contributed to didactic research at Åbo Akademi University.
Stefan Hopmann is conferred with an honorary doctorate in recognition of his lifelong contributions to didactics and curriculum research, as well as his efforts to promote international academic collaboration.
The Faculty of Education and Welfare Studies will confer an Honorary Doctorate of Health Sciences on:
Kristian Wahlbeck, Psychiatrist, Research Professor Emeritus, Docent in Psychiatry
Kristian Wahlbeck has dedicated his life’s work to public mental health. He earned his medical degree from the University of Helsinki in 1986 and holds a docentship in psychiatry from Tampere University. Wahlbeck has served as a research professor at the Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare (THL) and as Director of Development at the Finnish Association for Mental Health (MIELI). He has published over 140 original research articles, disseminated evidence-based knowledge on mental health and contributed to the development of treatment guidelines for multiple psychiatric conditions. He spearheaded the launch of the nationwide layperson training programme in mental health first aid. Wahlbeck has actively worked to combat the stigma surrounding mental illness. He has played a key role in drafting two national mental health strategies and has contributed to shaping EU mental health policy. Locally, he has been a driving force behind Lappvikens Källa, a centre for culture and well-being in Helsinki. For his contributions, he was awarded the Knight First Class of the Order of the Lion of Finland in 2024. Following his retirement, he continues working as a visiting researcher at THL and holds several positions of trust.
Kristian Wahlbeck is conferred with an honorary doctorate in recognition of his extensive expertise in psychiatry and public mental health, as well as his dedication to the third sector, which has helped bring mental healthcare and public mental health to the forefront of social development in Finland.
The Faculty of Social Sciences, Business, Economics and Law will confer an Honorary Doctorate of Social Sciences on:
Rachel Gibson, PhD, Professor of Political Science
Rachel Gibson was appointed to her current professorship at the University of Manchester in 2007. She has previously held positions at the University of Salford and the University of Leicester and has been a visiting scholar and researcher at several international institutions. She earned a Bachelor’s degree in English and History from the University of Salford in 1989 and a PhD in Political Science from Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas, USA, in 1996.
Her research focuses on political parties, campaigns and elections, particularly the adoption and impact of new communication technologies. She was among the first political scientists to study how party systems adapted to the World Wide Web in the late 1990s, a field she continues to explore.
Beyond her interest in the content and style of political actors’ digital communication, Professor Gibson has also been deeply engaged in developing new methodological approaches for studying this phenomenon. She currently leads a project examining how new forms of digital trace data (DTD) can be ethically linked to survey responses and made available for secondary analysis.
Rachel Gibson is conferred with an honorary doctorate in recognition of her outstanding research in political communication, elections and voter behaviour, as well as for her extensive collaborations with political scientists at Åbo Akademi University.
The Faculty of Social Sciences, Business, Economics and Law will confer an Honorary Doctorate of Science (Economics and Business Administration) on:
Timo Ketonen, M.Sc. (Econ. Bus. Adm) Entrepreneur, Investor
Timo Ketonen has had a long and distinguished career in finance, media, marketing and service design. He earned a Master of Science (Economics and Business Administrationdegree from Åbo Akademi University in 1988 and has founded and led several companies.
As CEO of Aboa Advest, he focuses on impact investments and supports start-ups and growth companies, particularly in the blue economy and science-based sectors. In 2022, he founded A’Pelago Experience Ab to strengthen the vitality of the Baltic Sea through science-based business initiatives.
Ketonen serves as chairman of TS-Yhtymä Oy, the parent company of Turun Sanomat, where he has overseen the company’s digital transformation while safeguarding its values and commitment to quality journalism.
He is also chairman of the delegation of the Åbo Akademi University Foundation, where he has reinforced the university’s position both nationally and internationally. In addition, he has held multiple board positions and is a sought-after adviser and mentor.
Timo Ketonen is conferred with an honorary doctorate in recognition of his significant contributions to the Business School at Åbo Akademi University – as a highly valued visiting lecturer, long-standing business sector representative on the Subject Cluster Council, and an invaluable sparring partner in matters concerning business demands on research and education.
The Faculty of Social Sciences, Business, Economics and Law will confer an Honorary Doctorate of Laws on:
Olli Mäenpää, LL.D., Professor Emeritus in Administrative Law
Olli Mäenpää earned a Master’s degree in Law from the University of Helsinki in 1974, followed by a PhD in Law in 1979 after conducting research at the Research Council of Finland. He also holds a Master of Laws degree from Harvard Law School. He served as a Professor of Administrative Law at Åbo University (1982–1992) and the University of Helsinki (1992–2018), as well as Director of the Institute for International Economic Law (1994–1998).
Professor Mäenpää’s research interests encompass key issues in administrative law and the principles of the rule of law. He has been deeply engaged in doctoral education and supervision, continuing to promote innovative dissertation projects and leading major research initiatives. His membership in editorial boards and European research networks has broadened his academic collaborations.
Professor Mäenpää has held numerous positions of trust within academia, contributing to the development of research policy and the promotion of research funding in the social sciences. As a legal expert for the Council of Europe, he has advised emerging democracies on the rule of law and local self-governance. He has chaired or been a member of several governmental committees and is frequently consulted as a legal expert by ministries and parliamentary committees, particularly on matters related to national and European constitutional and administrative law.
Olli Mäenpää is conferred with an honorary doctorate in recognition of his academic research on the principle of public access to official records, legal security, the foundations of good governance, European administrative law, various forms of self-governance and proceedings in administrative courts.
The Faculty of Social Sciences, Business, Economics and Law will confer an Honorary Doctorate of Social Sciences on:
Nina Nordström, LL.D., Ambassador
Nina Nordström has served as Finland’s ambassador in Tel Aviv since September 2023. She holds multiple higher education degrees in International Politics and Law from Åbo Akademi University and the London School of Economics, as well as a Doctor of Laws (LL.D.) in International Law from the European University Institute in Florence. Nordström began her diplomatic career in 1999. She has served as Finland’s Permanent Representative to the Council of Europe in Strasbourg and as Director of the Unit for Human Rights Policy at the Ministry for Foreign Affairs. She has also worked at Finland’s Permanent Mission to the United Nations in New York where she headed the Development and Human Rights Section, and the Embassies of Finland in Tallinn, Stockholm and Bucharest. Ambassador Nordström has served as Director at UNICEF Headquarters in New York, where she headed the Secretariat of the UNICEF Executive Board.
Nina Nordström is conferred with an honorary doctorate in recognition of her distinguished career, which exemplifies how the world is open to those who have studied at Åbo Akademi University.
Stefan Wallin, Master of Political Science, Public Affairs Adviser, Board Member
Stefan Wallin has held various roles in Finnish national politics for 20 years. He earned a Master of Social Sciences in Political Science and Public International Law from Åbo Akademi University in 1994. Wallin began his career as a special adviser to ministers and has worked in several ministries, including the Ministry for Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of the Interior and the Ministry of Defence. He was chairman of the Swedish People’s Party (SFP) and has held multiple ministerial positions, including Minister of the Environment, Minister of Culture and Minister of Defence. Since leaving politics in 2019, Wallin has worked as a Public Affairs adviser and independent consultant. He is a sought-after speaker and moderator in the fields of culture and defence. Wallin has also been active in the third sector, serving as chairman of the board of Svenska Kulturfonden and the Åbo Akademi University Foundation. He is currently a board member of several organisations and serves as chairman of the international committee at NATO’s Security of Supply Centre of Excellence in Sweden.
Stefan Wallin is conferred with an honorary doctorate in recognition of his unwavering dedication to and contributions towards the activities and success of his alma mater, Åbo Akademi University. His efforts have been particularly significant in the university’s endeavour to establish a full-scale law programme.
The Faculty of Science and Technology will confer an Honorary Doctorate of Science (Technology) on:
Rüdiger Lange, o. Univ.-Prof. Dr.-Ing. habil.
Prof. Dr.-Ing. habil. Rüdiger Lange has been Chair of Chemical Reaction Engineering and Plant Engineering at Technische Universität Dresden since 2000. From 2004 to July 2015, he served as Director of the Institute of Process and Environmental Engineering at the same university. Since October 2016, he has held the position of Senior Professor.
Professor Lange holds three degrees in Chemical Engineering and was awarded the Carl Schorlemmer Medal – Meissen Porcelain for his outstanding doctoral dissertation. He has supervised more than 30 doctoral candidates, as well as numerous postdoctoral researchers and undergraduate students. His research focuses on multiphase reaction engineering and biomass conversion, with over 150 publications and 100 conference presentations to his name.
Professor Lange has maintained long-standing collaborations with Åbo Akademi University, resulting in joint publications and research projects. He has also evaluated doctoral dissertations at Åbo Akademi University, both as an opponent and a pre-examiner. Furthermore, he has played a key role in facilitating student and researcher exchanges between Technische Universität Dresden and Åbo Akademi University.
Rüdiger Lange is conferred with an honorary doctorate in recognition of his long-term collaboration with Åbo Akademi, which has led to joint research projects and publications. He has been a driving force behind student and researcher exchanges between TU Dresden and Åbo Akademi University.
The Faculty of Science and Technology will confer an Honorary Doctorate of Philosophy on:
M. Bishr Omary, MD, PhD, Professor of Medicine, Senior Vice Chancellor
Dr Omary is a Professor of Biomedical Science at Rutgers University in New Jersey, USA, and Senior Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs and Research at Rutgers Health Campus. He holds a PhD in Chemistry and Cell Biology from the University of California, San Diego (UCSD) and a medical degree from the University of Miami. Before joining Rutgers University in 2019, he spent 19 years at Stanford University and 11 years at the University of Michigan Medical School.
His research focuses on rare diseases that cause damage to the liver, skin and other tissues. He holds several patents related to medical diagnostics and therapy. Dr Omary has received multiple awards and has served as editor of the journal Gastroenterology as well as president of the American Gastroenterological Association (AGA).
For Åbo Akademi University and bioscience researchers in Turku, Dr Omary is a well-known and highly esteemed partner. He has been a visiting professor at Åbo Akademi University and a member of the scientific advisory board for BioCity Turku and Turku Bioscience Centre.
M. Bishr Omary is conferred with an honorary doctorate in recognition of his outstanding contributions to biomedical science, his dedication to mentorship and collaboration, and his significant impact on research and education at ÅboAkademi University.
Luisa Torsi, Professor of Chemistry
Luisa Torsi is a Professor of Chemistry at the University of Bari and was a visiting professor at Åbo Akademi University from 2017 to 2022. Since 2023, she has been a member of the Accademia Nazionale dei Lincei and Vice Chair of the Scientific Committee at the National Research Council of Italy. She has published approximately 280 scientific articles in top-tier journals such as Science and Nature Materials, with over 18,200 citations and an h-index of 67. In addition, she holds 14 patents and has been invited to deliver lectures at conferences and institutions worldwide. She has also been featured as a comic book character in Topolino (the Italian equivalent of the Kalle Anka/Aku Ankka magazine) to inspire young girls to pursue careers in science.
Torsi is conferred with an honorary doctorate in recognition of her pioneering work on the use of organic electrolyte-gated transistors as biosensors and for advancing biosensor research at Åbo Akademi University.
Jubilee Doctors
The following Jubilee Doctors will be conferred:
| Olle Anckar Jubilee Doctor of Science (Economics and Business Administration)  |
Göran Bylund Jubilee Doctor of Philosophy  |
Göran Högnäs Jubilee Doctor of Philosophy  |
Ari Ivaska Jubilee Doctor of Science (Technology)  |
| (Harry) Lars-Eric Lindfors Jubilee Doctor of Science (Technology)  |
Roger Sell Jubilee Doctor of Philosophy  |
Per Stenius Jubilee Doctor of Philosophy  |
Erik Vikström Jubilee Doctor of Theology  |
